Thread: Student of Dune (DarkAngel & Sync)

He heard the woman-childs name as they fell into step together, side-by-sideand, as soon as he heard it, Tal wished that he hadnt asked. It would have been easier not knowing. As it was, his bearing stiffened slightly, and he had no doubt shed be able to detect it. Atreides, he spat softly. His voice may have been quiet, but the distaste may as well have been shouted. Atreides. A damnable Atreides. Daughter to Ghanima, niece to the cursed God-Emperor, grand-daughter to the maligned Mahdi MuadDib. The only blood that was worthy in this girl was that belonging to MuadDibs mate, Chani. Atreides. He didnt couldnt look at her as they walked. His distaste for her heritage was clear enough in his voice. Instead, he pointed towards a rise of rocks in the direction they were headed it might have looked far to off-worlder eyes, but Tal knew it wasnt that far fifteen minutes walk at most. The desert could play tricks with the perceptions of the unwary. Were headed there, he advised her flatly. Theres a thopter hidden there. Theres a spare stillsuit for you youll have to change once inside. From there we head south, into what remains of the Deep Desert. You must be prepared for a rough journey people who are willing to use a Stone Burner to get one person wont sit still when they notice a thopter flying away from the Stone Burner. It was only then that he flicked a glance in her direction, although he did not look at her face instead, his gaze darted towards her legs and feet, as if he was talking at her and not to her Do as I do walk without rhythm. Rhythmic vibrations, even in footfalls, can summon a worm. Its unlikely one will come this close to the city, but if you start practicing now youll be less likely to get yourself killed once youre in the desert. Should we encounter a worm, you do exactly as I say nothing more, nothing less. It was clear the man wasnt going to be happy with anything other than agreement and understanding. And, for the time being, he appeared to consider conversation closed, as he secured his stillstuits face-mask into position, hiding all but his eyes from view. The remainder of the journey towards the rocky outcrop was in silence Tal offered no comment, and other than the occasional glance to make sure she was keeping up, barely acknowledged Helenes existence if Helene made any attempt at conversation, he either offered a muffled grunt as a reply or said nothing at all. It was only when they rounded the rocks, hiding the city from view and bringing the thopter in sight, that Tal broke the silence with a hand signal he got Helenes attention and gestured up. Not too far away from them was another thopter, clearly flying circling slowlylike it was searching. Well have to be careful, he observed. Until I have you in-sietch, everyone we see is an enemy. The other thopter did not appear to have noticed them, but Tal knew that wouldnt remain the case for much longer. Their own thopter was well-hidden from view, partially sheltered from the sky by the rock formations around and above it, but that cover would cease to be useful the second they became airborne. Tal opened the door to the craft and entered first, his hand on the hilt of his knife then he gestured to Helene to enter as he looked around for a few seconds before pulling a pack from a small locker. Fremkitspare stillsuitsuit repair kitmaker hooksa couple of thumpersgood. He handed the stillsuit to Helene. Put this on. Ill keep my eyes averted if youre concerned. Once youre ready well head off, see how far we can get. Part of the problem with being prescient, Leto knew, was that although he could see everything along the Golden Path, he couldnt tell other people what he could seenot even his dear Ghani. If shed known that Helene would survive, her concern about getting her daughter safely out of the city wouldnt have been genuine, and nor would her grief be at believing Helene was lost. He knew Helene was safe, just as he knew Ghani was coming to him for comfort. He also knew that Faradn and Ghani would get along wonderfully well in the end, but it wasnt for him to interfereapart from the occasional nudge, perhaps. There were times when he hated knowing everythingand he knew thered be a time when he longed for death, to escape the terminal boredom of prescience. For now, all the Emperor could do was wait for Ghani to come to him, let her express her grief at Helenes loss, let her give water to the deadand let her believe, as best he could, that he believed Helene was gone, too.