Thread: Daughter Of Dune (Ursus Peregrinus & darkangel76)

Marid The royal presence was not the sole reason for Kaleff's tension. Conspiring this way was not to his taste and it showed in his manner. The presence of Corrino blood did nothing to add to his comfort. The Fremen had no intention of trusting Irulan, nor even Ghanima's consort Farrad'n. I do what I do for your Father, Kaleff said quietly. My people still remember life beneath the Harkonnen. That water debt is one the Fremen will never repay, but we remember. He moved towards Hersilia and bowed slightly. You have your grandfather's eyes. I still remember when he first came among us, how angry mother was that he did not take her as his woman. He learned our ways quickly, as though born to them. He shared his own knowledge with us. My brother and I lived in his household, we learned the weirding way of battle at his right hand. There is blood between us, child. But now is the time for parting, there are long miles ahead before dawn. Taking her hand in his, he bowed again to the Empress and turned to go. They moved through the house in silence, until he paused in an empty room, glanced about and nodded to himself that they were unobserved. Reaching into his robe, he removed a sheathed crysknife. This blade is fixed, keep it close to your body. The tip is poisoned, a drop of the sacred water will send any you scratch to their final journey. Keep it hidden, young Atreides, and remember that any who see the blade must be purified... or slain. Slipping the pack from his shoulders, he removed a pair of items from it, a slick-surfaced bundle and a folded desert robe. Your stillsuit. My brother's wife laboured long to fit it to your measurements. Put it on, your guardian will take time to adjust the fit when you are free of Arrakeen. Remind him, if he does not remember. Kaleff unfolded the bundle and held it out for her. Be mindful, Hersilia, that Marid does not know who you are. He knows only that you are to be protected, and educated. No more than that. He will not be solicitous, so you must be diligent. The law of the desert is unforgiving, but with Marid you will be safe. Marid's first glimpse of Hersilia almost fooled him. The grace of her step was almost enough to match the easy way a Fremen moved in their stillsuit, but there was something else to it. A grace and poise that was familiar to his eye, but that he could not place. His brow furrowed slightly as he worked at the problem. Her red-gold hair was doubly concealed by the cap of her suit and the hood of her cloak, but her eyes, when Kaleff led her closer, were strange. Marid watched her silently, and did not miss the way his guards watched them both. So... she was a figure of authority. Or nobility, but that told him little enough. Lady, Kaleff's gruff voice broke his train of thought. Your guardian. Introductions can wait until you are away. There is cause for haste. Nodding dismissively to the two guards, the older man led them up a staircase to the roof, where a trio of 'Thopters sat on their pads. All three bore Atreides markings, but were obviously of some age. These will carry you beyond the Shield Wall. Marid, you will fly one. My brother and I will take the other two. Orlop and two other Fremen, young women by their size and step, approached from another rooftop entrance. Either of them could have been taken for Hersilia, garbed as they all were. Marid's eyes widened slightly at the precautions, but he bowed to his charge and opened the hatch to one of the small, scout 'Thopters. My name is Marid, of the Sietch of Broken Cliffs. I am to be your instructor in the Fremen way. His voice was a low baritone, rich and soft, and his blue-on-blue eyes were all that showed past his hood and scarf. Come, we must go. He added as the sound of engines warming up and the 'thwup, thwop' of wings began to fill the air. tag