fh.godemperorofdune-第68章

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　Idaho　ignored　the　river　then。　It　was　there　and　it　would　be　there　tomorrow。　He　fixed　his　attention　on　the　bridge；　letting　his　military　training　examine　it。　He　nodded　once　to　himself　before　turning　back　the　way　he　had　e；　lifting　the　light　rope　from　his　shoulders　as　he　walked。
　It　was　only　when　she　saw　the　rope　e　snaking　down　that　Nayla　had　her　orgasm。
　
　What　am　I　eliminating？　The　bourgeois　infatuation　with　peaceful　conservation　of　the　past。　This　is　a　binding　force；　a　thing　which　holds　humankind　into　one　vulnerable　unit　in　spite　of　illusionary　separations　across　parsecs　of　space。　If　I　can　find　the　scattered　bits；　others　can　find　them。　When　you　are　together；　you　can　share　a　mon　catastrophe。　You　can　be　exterminated　together。　Thus；　I　demonstrate　the　terrible　danger　of　a　gliding；　passionless　mediocrity；　a　movement　without　ambitions　or　aims。　I　show　you　that　entire　civilizations　can　do　this　thing。　I　give　you　eons　of　life　which　slips　gently　toward　death　without　fuss　or　stirring；　without　even　asking　'Why？'　I　show　you　the　false　happiness　and　the　shadow…catastrophe　called　Leto；　the　God　Emperor。　Now；　will　you　learn　the　real　happiness？
　…The　Stolen　Journals
　HAVING　SPENT　the　night　with　only　one　brief　catnap；　Leto　was　awake　when　Moneo　emerged　from　the　guest　house　at　dawn。　The　Royal　Cart　had　been　parked　almost　in　the　center　of　a　three…sided　courtyard。　The　cart's　cover　had　been　set　on　one…way　opaque；　concealing　its　occupant；　and　was　tightly　sealed　against　moisture。　Leto　could　hear　the　faint　stirring　of　the　fans　which　pulsed　his　air　through　a　drying　cycle。
　Moneo's　feet　scratched　on　the　courtyard's　cobbles　as　he　approached　the　cart。　Dawn　light　edged　the　guest　house　roof　with　orange　above　the　majordomo。
　Leto　opened　the　cart's　cover　as　Moneo　stopped　in　front　of　him。　There　was　a　yeasting　dirt　smell　to　the　air　and　the　accumulation　of　moisture　in　the　breeze　was　painful。
　〃We　should　arrive　at　Tuono　about　noon；〃　Moneo　said。　〃I　wish　you'd　let　me　bring　in　'thopters　to　guard　the　sky。〃
　〃I　do　not　want　'thopters；〃　Leto　said。　〃We　can　go　down　to　Tuono　on　suspensors　and　ropes。〃
　Leto　marveled　at　the　plastic　images　in　this　brief　exchange。　Moneo　had　never　liked　peregrinations。　His　youth　as　a　rebel　had　left　him　with　suspicions　of　everything　he　could　not　see　or　label。　He　remained　a　mass　of　latent　judgments。
　〃You　know　I　don't　want　'thopters　for　transport；〃　Moneo　said。　〃I　want　them　to　guard。　。　。〃
　〃Yes；　Moneo。〃
　Moneo　looked　past　Leto　at　the　open　end　of　the　courtyard　which　overlooked　the　river　canyon。　Dawn　light　was　frosting　the　mist　which　arose　from　the　depths。　He　thought　of　how　far　down　that　canyon　dropped。。。a　body　twisting；　twisting　as　it　fell。　Moneo　had　found　himself　unable　to　go　to　the　canyon's　lip　last　night　and　peer　down　into　it。　The　drop　was　such　a。。。such　a　temptation。
　With　that　insightful　power　which　filled　Moneo　with　such　awe；　Leto　said：　〃There's　a　lesson　in　every　temptation；　Moneo。〃
　Speechless；　Moneo　turned　to　stare　directly　into　Leto's　eyes。
　〃See　the　lesson　in　my　life；　Moneo。〃
　〃Lord？〃　It　was　only　a　whisper。
　〃They　tempt　me　first　with　evil；　then　with　good。　Each　temptation　is　fashioned　with　exquisite　attention　to　my　susceptibilities。　Tell　me；　Moneo；　if　I　choose　the　good；　does　that　make　me　good？〃
　〃Of　course　it　does；　Lord。〃
　〃Perhaps　you　will　never　lose　the　habit　of　judgment；〃　Leto　said。
　Moneo　looked　away　from　him　once　more　and　stared　at　the　chasm's　edge。　Leto　rolled　his　body　to　look　where　Moneo　looked。　Dwarf　pines　had　been　cultured　along　the　lip　of　the　canyon。　There　were　hanging　dewdrops　on　the　damp　needles；　each　of　them　sending　a　promise　of　pain　to　Leto。　He　longed　to　close　the　cart's　cover；　but　there　was　an　immediacy　in　those　jewels　which　attracted　his　memories　even　while　they　repelled　his　body。　The　opposed　synchrony　threatened　to　fill　him　with　turmoil。
　〃I　just　don't　like　going　around　on　foot；〃　Moneo　said。
　〃It　was　the　Fremen　war；〃　Leto　said。
　Moneo　sighed。　〃The　others　will　be　ready　in　a　few　minutes。　Hwi　was　breakfasting　when　I　came　out。〃
　Leto　did　not　respond。　His　thoughts　were　lost　in　memories　of　night…the　one　just　past　and　the　millennial　others　which　crowded　his　pasts…clouds　and　stars；　the　rains　and　the　open　blackness　pocked　with　glittering　flakes　from　a　shredded　cosmos；　a　universe　of　nights；　extravagant　with　them　as　he　had　been　with　his　heartbeats。
　Moneo　suddenly　demanded：　〃Where　are　your　guards？〃
　〃I　sent　them　to　eat。〃
　〃I　don't　like　them　leaving　you　unguarded！〃
　The　crystal　sound　of　Moneo's　voice　rang　in　Leto's　memories；　speaking　things　not　cast　in　words。　Moneo　feared　a　universe　where　there　was　no　God　Emperor。　He　would　rather　die　than　see　such　a　universe。
　〃What　will　happen　today？〃　Moneo　demanded。
　It　was　a　question　directed　not　to　the　God　Emperor　but　to　the　prophet。
　‘　A　seed　blown　on　the　wind　could　be　tomorrow's　willow　tree；〃　Leto　said。
　〃You　know　our　future！　Why　won't　you　share　it？〃　Moneo　was　close　to　hysteria。。。refusing　anything　his　immediate　senses　did　not　report。
　Leto　turned　to　glare　at　the　majordomo；　a　gaze　so　obviously　filled　with　pent…up　emotions　that　Moneo　recoiled　from　it。
　〃Take　charge　of　your　own　existence；　Moneo！〃
　Moneo　took　a　deep；　trembling　breath。　〃Lord；　I　meant　no　offense。　I　sought　only。　。　。
　〃Look　upward；　Moneo！〃
　Involuntarily；　Moneo　obeyed；　peering　into　the　cloudless　sky　where　morning　light　was　increasing。　〃What　is　it；　Lord？〃
　〃There's　no　reassuring　ceiling　over　you；　Moneo。　Only　an　open　sky　full　of　changes。　Wele　it。　Every　sense　you　possess　is　an　instrument　for　reacting　to　change。　Does　that　tell　you　nothing？〃
　〃Lord；　I　only　came　out　to　enquire　when　you　would　be　ready　to　proceed。〃
　〃Moneo；　I　beg　you　to　be　truthful　with　me。〃
　〃I　am　truthful；　Lord！〃
　〃But　if　you　live　in　bad　faith；　lies　will　appear　to　you　like　the　truth。〃
　〃Lord；　if　I　lie。。。then　I　do　not　know　it。〃
　〃That　has　the　ring　of　truth。　But　I　know　what　you　dread　and　will　not　speak。〃
　Moneo　began　to　tremble。　The　God　Emperor　was　in　the　most　terrible　of　moods；　a　deep　threat　in　every　word。
　〃You　dread　the　imperialism　of　consciousness；〃　Leto　said；　〃and　you　are　right　to　fear　it。　Send　Hwi　out　here　immediately！〃
　Moneo　whirled　and　fled　back　into　the　guest　house。　It　was　as　though　his　entrance　stirred　up　an　insect　colony。　Within　seconds；　Fish　Speakers　emerged　and　spread　around　the　Royal　Cart。　Courtiers　peered　from　the　guest　house　windows　or　came　out　and　stood　under　deep　eaves；　afraid　to　approach　him。　In　contrast　to　this　excitement；　Hwi　emerged　presently　from　the　wide　central　doorway　and　strode　out　of　the　shadows；　moving　slowly　toward　Leto；　her　chin　up；　her　gaze　seeking　his　face。
　Leto　felt　himself　being　calm　as　he　looked　at　her。　She　wore　a　golden　gown　he　had　not　seen　before。　It　had　been　piped　with　silver　and　jade　at　the　neck　and　the　cuffs　of　its　long　sleeves。　The　hem；　almost　dragging　on　the　ground；　had　heavy　green　braid　to　outline　deep　red　crenellations。
　Hwi　smiled　as　she　stopped　in　front　of　him。
　〃Good　morning；　love。〃　She　spoke　softly。　〃What　have　you　done　to　get　poor　Moneo　so　upset？〃
　Soothed　by　her　presence　and　her　voice；　he　smiled。　〃I　did　what　I　always　hope　to　do。　I　produced　an　effect。〃
　〃You　certainly　did。　He　told　the　Fish　Speakers　you　were　in　an　angry　and　terrifying　mood。　Are　you　terrifying；　Love？〃
　〃Only　to　those　who　refuse　to　live　by　their　own　strengths。〃
　〃Ahhh；　yes。〃　She　pirouetted　for　him　then；　displaying　her　new　gown。　〃Do　you　like　it？　Your　Fish　Speakers　gave　it　to　me。　They　decorated　it　themselves。〃
　〃My　love；〃　he　said；　a　warning　note　in　his　voice；　〃decoration！　That　is　how　you　prepare　the　sacrifice。〃
　She　came　up　to　the　edge　of　the　cart　and　leaned　on　it　just　below　his　face；　a　mock　solemn　expression　on　her　lips。　〃Will　they　sacrifice　me；　then？〃
　〃Some　of　them　would　like　to。〃
　〃But　you　will　not　permit　it。〃
　〃Our　fates　are　joined；〃　he　said。
　〃Then　I　shall　not　fear。〃　She　reached　up　and　touched　one　of　his　silver…skinned　hands；　but　jerked　away　as　his　fingers　began　to　tremble。
　〃Forgive　me；　Love。　I　forget　that　we　are　joined　in　soul　and　not　in　flesh；〃　she　said。
　The　sandtrout　skin　still　shuddered　from　Hwi's　touch。　〃Moisture　in　the　air　makes　me　overly　sensitive；〃　he　said。　Slowly；　the　shuddering　subsided。
　〃I　refuse　to　regret　what　cannot　be；〃　she　whispered。
　〃Be　strong；　Hwi；　for　your　soul　is　mine。〃
　She　turned　at　a　sound　from　the　guest　house。　〃Moneo　returns；〃　she　said。　〃Please；　Love；　do　not　frighten　him。〃
　〃Is　Moneo　your　friend；　too？〃
　〃We　are　friends　of　the　stomach。　We　both　like　yogurt。〃
　Leto　was　still　chuckling　when　Moneo　stopped　beside　Hwi。　Moneo　ventured　a　smile；　casting　a　puzzled　glance　at　Hwi。　There　was　gratitude　in　the　majordomo's　manner　and　some　of　the　subservience　he　was　accustomed　to　show　to　Leto　he　now　directed　at　Hwi。　〃Is　it　well　with　you；　Lady　Hwi？〃
　〃It　is　well　with　me。〃
　Leto　said：　〃In　the　time　of　the　stomach；　friendships　of　the　stomach　are　to　be　nurtured　and　cultivated。　Let　us　be　on　our　way；　Moneo。　Tuono　awaits。〃
　Moneo　turned　and　shouted　orders　to　the　Fish　Speakers　and　courtiers。
　Leto　grinned　at　Hwi。　〃Do　I　not　play　the　impatient　bridegroom　with　a　certain　style？〃
　She　leaped　lightly　up　to　the　bed　of　his　cart；　her　skirt　gathered　in　one　hand。　He　unfolded　her　seat。　Only　when　she　was　seated；　her　eyes　level　with　Leto's；　did　she　respond；　and　then　it　was　in　a　voice　pitched　for　his　ears　alone。
　〃Love　of　my　soul；　I　have　captured　another　of　your　secrets。〃
　〃Release　it　from　your　lips；〃　he　said；　joking　in　this　new　intimacy　between　them。
　〃You　seldom　need　words；〃　she　said。　〃You　speak　directly　to　the　senses　with　your　own　life。〃
　A　shudder　flexed　its　way　through　the　length　of　his　body。　It　was　a　moment　before　he　could　speak　and　then　it　was　in　a　voice　she　had　to　strain　to　hear　above　the　hubbub　of　the　assembling　cortege。
　〃Between　the　superhuman　and　the　inhuman；〃　he　said；　〃I　have　had　little　space　in　which　to　be　human。　I　thank　you；　gentle　and　lovely　Hwi；　for　this　little　space。〃
　
　In　all　of　my　universe　I　have　seen　no　law　of　nature；　unchanging　and　inexorable。　This　universe　presents　only　changing　relationships　which　are　sometimes　seen　as　laws　by　short…lived　awareness。　These　fleshly　sensoria　which　we　call　self　are　ephemera　withering　in　the　blaze　of　infinity；　fleetingly　aware　of　temporary　conditions　which　confine　our　activities　and　change　as　our　activities　change。　If　you　must　label　the　absolute；　use　it's　proper　name：　Temporary。
　…The　Stolen　Journals
　NAYLA　WAS　the　first　to　glimpse　the　approaching　cortege。　Perspiring　heavily　in　the　midday　heat；　she　stood　near　one　of　the　rock　pillars　which　marked　the　edges　of　the　Royal　Road。　A　sudden　flash　of　distant　reflection　caught　her　attention。　She　peered　in　that　direction；　squinting；　realizing　with　a　thrill　of　awareness　that　she　saw　sun…dazzle　on　the　cover　of　the　God　Emperor's　cart。
　〃They　e！〃　she　called。
　She　felt　hunger　then。　In　their　excitement　and　singleness　of　purpose；　none　of　them　had　brought　food。　Only　the　Fremen　had　brought　water　and　that　because　〃Fremen　always　carry　water　when　they　leave　sietch。〃　They　did　it　by　rote。
　Nayla　touched　one　finger　to　the　butt　of　the　lasgun　holstered　at　her　hip。　The　bridge　lay　no　more　than　twenty　meters　ahead　of　her；　its　faery　structure　arching　across　the　chasm　like　an　alien　fantasy　joining　one　barren　surface　to　another。
　This　is　madness；　she　thought。