fh.godemperorofdune-第65章

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　He　saw　the　tears　latent　in　her　eyes。　〃Nine　of　you　killed　by　the　wolves？〃
　She　nodded。
　〃You're　a　lousy　mander！〃　he　said。
　She　bristled　but　before　she　could　speak；　he　asked：　〃Who　translated　them　for　you？〃
　〃This　is　from　Ix。　They　say　the　Guild　found　the　Key。〃
　〃We　already　knew　our　God　Emperor　indulged　in　expedience；〃　Idaho　said。　〃Is　that　all　he　has　to　say？〃
　〃Read　it　for　yourself。〃　She　rummaged　in　her　pack　beside　the　cot　and　came　up　with　the　first　volume　of　the　translation；　which　she　tossed　across　to　his　cot。　As　Idaho　returned　to　the　cot；　she　demanded：　〃What　do　you　mean　I'm　a　lousy　mander'？〃
　〃Wasting　nine　of　your　friends　that　way。〃
　〃You　fool！〃　She　shook　her　head。　〃You　obviously　never　saw　those　wolves！〃
　He　picked　up　the　book　and　found　it　heavy；　realizing　then　that　it　had　been　printed　on　crystal　paper。　〃You　should　have　armed　yourselves　against　the　wolves；〃　he　said；　opening　the　volume。
　〃What　arms？〃　Any　arms　we　could　get　would've　been　useless！〃
　〃Lasguns？〃　he　asked；　turning　a　page。
　〃Touch　a　lasgun　on　Arrakis　and　the　Worm　knows　it！〃
　He　turned　another　page。　〃Your　friends　got　lasguns　eventually。〃
　〃And　look　what　it　got　them！〃
　Idaho　read　a　line；　then：　〃Poisons　were　available。〃
　She　swallowed　convulsively。
　Idaho　looked　at　her。　〃You　did　poison　the　wolves　after　all；　didn't　you？〃
　Her　voice　was　almost　a　whisper：　〃Yes。〃
　〃Then　why　didn't　you　do　that　in　advance？〃　he　asked。
　〃We。。。didn't。。。know。。。we。。uld。〃
　〃But　you　didn't　test　it；〃　Idaho　said。　He　turned　back　to　the　open　volume。　〃A　lousy　mander。〃
　〃He's　so　devious！〃　Siona　said。
　Idaho　read　a　passage　in　the　volume　before　returning　his　attention　to　Siona。　〃That　hardly　describes　him。　Have　you　read　all　of　this？〃
　〃Every　word！　Some　of　them　several　times。〃
　Idaho　looked　at　the　open　page　and　read　aloud：　〃I　have　created　what　I　intended…a　powerful　spiritual　tension　throughout　my　Empire。　Few　sense　the　strength　of　it。　With　what　energies　did　I　create　this　condition？　I　am　not　that　strong。　The　only　power　I　possess　is　the　control　of　individual　prosperity。　That　is　the　sum　of　all　the　things　I　do。　Then　why　do　people　seek　my　presence　for　other　reasons？　What　could　lead　them　to　certain　death　in　the　futile　attempt　to　reach　my　presence？　Do　they　want　to　be　saints？　Do　they　think　that　thus　they　gain　the　vision　of　God？〃
　〃He's　the　ultimate　cynic；〃　Siona　said；　tears　apparent　in　her　voice。
　〃How　did　he　test　you？〃　Idaho　asked。
　〃He　showed　me　a。。。he　showed　me　his　Golden　Path。〃
　〃That's　convenient。　。　。〃
　〃It's　real　enough；　Duncan。〃　She　looked　up　at　him；　her　eyes　glistening　with　unshed　tears。　〃But　if　it　was　ever　a　reason　for　our　God　Emperor；　it　is　not　reason　for　what　he　has　bee！〃
　Idaho　inhaled　deeply；　then：　〃The　Atreides　e　to　this！〃
　〃The　Worm　must　go！〃　Siona　said。
　〃I　wonder　when　he's　arriving？〃　Idaho　said。
　〃Garun's　little　rat　friend　didn't　say。〃
　〃We　must　ask；〃　Idaho　said。
　〃We　have　no　weapons；〃　Siona　said。
　〃Nayla　has　a　lasgun；〃　he　said。　〃We　have　knives。。。rope。　I　saw　rope　in　one　of　Garun's　storage　rooms。〃
　〃Against　the　Worm？〃　she　asked。　〃Even　if　we　could　get　Nyala's　lasgun；　you　know　it　won't　touch　him。〃
　〃But　is　his　cart　proof　against　it？〃　Idaho　asked。
　〃I　don't　trust　Nayla；〃　Siona　said。
　〃Doesn't　she　obey　you？〃
　〃Yes；　but。。　。
　〃We　will　proceed　one　step　at　a　time；〃　Idaho　said。　〃Ask　Nayla　if　she　would　use　her　lasgun　against　the　Worm's　cart。〃
　〃And　if　she　refuses？〃
　〃Kill　her。〃
　Siona　stood；　tossing　her　book　aside。
　〃How　will　the　Worm　e　to　Tuono？〃　Idaho　asked。　〃He's　too　big　and　heavy　for　an　ordinary　'thopter。〃
　〃Garun　will　tell　us；〃　she　said。　〃But　I　think　he　will　e　as　he　usually　travels。〃　She　looked　up　at　the　ceiling　which　concealed　the　Sareer's　perimeter　Wall。　〃I　think　he　will　e　on　peregrination　with　his　entire　crew。　He　will　e　along　the　Royal　Road　and　drop　down　to　here　on　suspensors。〃　She　looked　at　Idaho。　〃What　of　Garun？〃
　〃A　strange　man；〃　Idaho　said。　〃He　wants　most　desperately　to　be　a　real　Fremen。　He　knows　he　is　not　anything　like　what　they　were　in　my　day。〃
　〃What　were　they　like　in　your　day；　Duncan？〃　〃They　had　a　saying　which　describes　it；〃　Idaho　said。　〃You　should　never　be　in　the　pany　of　anyone　with　whom　you　would　not　want　to　die。〃　〃Did　you　say　this　to　Garun？〃　she　asked。　〃Yes。〃　〃And　his　response？〃　〃He　said　I　was　the　only　such　person　he　had　ever　met。〃　〃Garun　may　be　wiser　than　any　of　us；〃　she　said。
　
　You　think　power　may　be　the　most　unstable　of　all　human　achievements？　Then　what　of　the　apparent　exceptions　to　this　inherent　instability？　Some　families　endure。　Very　powerful　religious　bureaucracies　have　been　known　to　endure。　Consider　the　relationship　between　faith　and　power。　Are　they　mutually　exclusive　when　each　depends　upon　the　other？　The　Bene　Gesserit　have　been　reasonably　secure　within　the　loyal　walls　of　faith　for　thousands　of　years。　But　where　has　their　power　gone？
　…The　Stolen　Journals
　MONEO　SPOKE　in　a　petulant　tone：　〃Lord；　I　wish　you　had　given　me　more　time。〃
　He　stood　outside　the　Citadel　in　the　short　shadows　of　noon。　Leto　lay　directly　in　front　of　him　on　the　Imperial　Cart；　its　bubble　hood　retracted。　He　had　been　touring　the　environs　with　Hwi　Noree；　who　occupied　a　newly　installed　seat　within　the　bubble　cover's　perimeter　and　just　beside　Leto's　face。　Hwi　appeared　merely　curious　about　all　the　bustle　which　was　beginning　to　increase　around　them。
　How　calm　she　is；　Moneo　thought。　He　repressed　an　involuntary　shudder　at　what　he　had　learned　of　her　from　Malky。　The　God　Emperor　was　right。　Hwi　was　exactly　what　she　appeared　to　be…an　ultimately　sweet　and　sensible　human　being。　Would　she　really　have　mated　with　me？　Moneo　wondered。
　Distractions　drew　his　attention　away　from　her。　While　Leto　had　toured　Hwi　around　the　Citadel　on　the　suspensor…borne　cart；　a　great　troop　of　courtiers　and　Fish　Speakers　had　been　assembled　here；　all　the　courtiers　in　celebration　finery；　brilliant　reds　and　golds　dominant。　The　Fish　Speakers　wore　their　best　dark　blues；　distinguished　only　by　the　different　colors　in　the　piping　and　hawks。　A　baggage　caravan　on　suspensor　sleds　had　been　drawn　up　at　the　rear　with　Fish　Speakers　to　pull　it。　The　air　was　full　of　dust　and　the　sounds　and　smells　of　excitement。　Most　of　the　courtiers　had　reacted　with　dismay　when　told　their　destination。　Some　had　immediately　purchased　their　own　tents　and　pavilions。　These　had　been　sent　on　ahead　with　the　other　impediments　piled　now　on　the　sand　just　outside　Tuono's　view。　The　Fish　Speakers　in　the　entourage　were　not　taking　this　in　a　festive　mood。　They　had　plained　loudly　when　told　they　could　not　carry　lasguns。
　〃Just　a　little　more　time；　Lord；〃　Moneo　was　saying。　〃I　still　don't　know　how　we　will。。。〃
　〃There's　no　substitute　for　time　in　solving　many　problems；〃　Leto　said。　〃However；　you　can　place　too　much　reliance　on　it。　I　can　accept　no　more　delays。〃
　〃We　will　be　three　days　just　getting　there；〃　Moneo　plained。
　Leto　thought　about　that　time…the　swift　walk…trot…walk　of　a　peregrination。。。one　hundred　and　eighty　kilometers。　Yes；　three　days。
　〃I'm　sure　you've　made　good　arrangements　for　the　waystops；〃　Leto　said。　〃Plenty　of　hot　water　for　the　muscle　cramps？〃
　〃We'll　be　fortable　enough；〃　Moneo　said；　〃but　I　don't　like　leaving　the　Citadel　in　these　times！　And　you　know　why！〃
　〃We　have　munications　devices；　loyal　assistants。　The　Guild　is　suitably　chastened。　Calm　yourself；　Moneo。〃
　〃We　could　hold　the　ceremony　in　the　Citadel！〃
　For　answer；　Leto　closed　the　bubble　cover　around　him；　isolating　Hwi　with　him。
　〃Is　there　danger；　Leto？〃　she　asked。
　〃There's　always　danger。〃
　Moneo　sighed；　turned　and　trotted　toward　where　the　Royal　Road　began　its　long　climb　eastward　before　turning　south　around　the　Sareer。　Leto　set　his　cart　in　motion　behind　the　majordomo；　heard　his　motley　troop　fall　into　step　behind　them。
　〃Are　we　all　moving？〃　Leto　asked。
　Hwi　glanced　backward　around　him。　〃Yes。〃　She　turned　toward　his　face。　〃Why　was　Moneo　being　so　difficult？〃
　〃Moneo　has　discovered　that　the　instant　which　has　just　left　him　is　forever　beyond　his　reach。〃
　〃He　has　been　very　moody　and　distracted　since　you　returned　from　the　Little　Citadel。　He's　not　the　same　at　all。〃
　〃He　is　an　Atreides；　my　love；　and　you　were　designed　to　please　an　Atreides。〃
　〃It's　not　that。　I　would　know　if　it　were　that。〃
　〃Yes。。。well；　I　think　Moneo　has　also　discovered　the　reality　of　death。〃
　〃What's　it　like　at　the　Little　Citadel　when　you're　there　with　Moneo？〃　she　asked。
　〃It's　the　loneliest　place　in　my　Empire。〃
　〃I　think　you　avoid　my　questions；〃　she　said。
　〃No；　love。　I　share　your　concern　for　Moneo；　but　no　explanation　of　mine　will　help　him　now。　Moneo　is　trapped。　He　has　learned　that　it　is　difficult　to　live　in　the　present；　pointless　to　live　in　the　future　and　impossible　to　live　in　the　past。〃
　〃I　think　it's　you　who　have　trapped　him；　Leto。〃
　〃But　he　must　free　himself。〃
　〃Why　can't　you　free　him？〃
　〃Because　he　thinks　my　memories　are　his　key　to　freedom。　He　thinks　I　am　building　our　future　out　of　our　past。〃
　〃Isn't　that　always　the　way　of　it；　Leto？〃
　〃No；　dear　Hwi。〃
　〃Then　how　is　it？〃
　〃Most　believe　that　a　satisfactory　future　requires　a　return　to　an　idealized　past；　a　past　which　never　in　fact　existed。〃
　〃And　you　with　all　of　your　memories　know　otherwise。〃
　Leto　turned　his　face　within　its　cowl　to　stare　at　her；　probing。。。remembering。　Out　of　the　multitudes　within　him；　he　could　form　a　posite；　a　genetic　suggestion　of　Hwi；　but　the　suggestion　fell　far　short　of　the　living　flesh。　That　was　it；　of　course。　The　past　became　row…on…row　of　eyes　staring　outward　like　the　eyes　of　gasping　fish；　but　Hwi　was　vibrant　life。　Her　mouth　was　set　in　Grecian　curves　designed　for　a　Delphic　chant；　but　she　hummed　no　prophetic　syllables。　She　was　content　to　live；　an　opening　person　like　a　flower　perpetually　unfolding　into　fragrant　blossom。
　〃Why　are　you　looking　at　me　like　that？〃　she　asked。
　〃I　was　basking　in　the　love　of　you。〃
　〃Love；　yes。〃　She　smiled。　〃I　think　that　since　we　cannot　share　the　love　of　the　flesh；　we　must　share　the　love　of　the　soul。　Would　you　share　that　with　me；　Leto？〃
　He　was　taken　aback。　〃You　ask　about　my　soul？〃
　〃Surely　others　have　asked。〃
　He　spoke　shortly：　〃My　soul　digests　its　experiences；　nothing　more。〃
　〃Have　I　asked　too　much　of　you？〃　she　asked。
　〃I　think　that　you　cannot　ask　too　much　of　me。〃
　〃Then　I　presume　upon　our　love　to　disagree　with　you。　My　Uncle　Malky　talked　about　your　soul。〃
　He　found　that　he　could　not　respond。　She　took　his　silence　as　an　invitation　to　continue。　〃He　said　that　you　were　the　ultimate　artist　at　probing　the　soul；　your　own　soul　first。〃
　〃But　your　Uncle　Malky　denied　that　he　had　a　soul　of　his　own！〃
　She　heard　the　harshness　in　his　voice；　but　was　not　deterred。　〃Still；　I　think　he　was　right。　You　are　the　genius　of　the　soul；　the　brilliant　one。〃
　〃You　need　only　the　plodding　perseverance　of　duration；〃　he　said。　〃No　brilliance。〃
　They　were　well　onto　the　long　climb　to　the　top　of　the　Sareer's　perimeter　Wall　now。　He　lowered　his　cart's　wheels　and　deactivated　the　suspensors。
　Hwi　spoke　softly；　her　voice　barely　audible　above　the　grating　sound　of　the　cart's　wheels　and　the　running　feet　all　around　them。　〃May　I　call　you　Love；　anyway？〃
　He　spoke　around　a　remembered　tightness　in　a　throat　which　was　no　longer　pletely　human。　〃Yes。〃
　〃I　was　born　an　Ixian；　Love；〃　she　said。　〃Why　don't　I　share　their　mechanical　view　of　our　universe？　Do　you　know　my　view；　L