Thread: Student of Dune (DarkAngel & Sync)

Helene nodded and moved to get inside the 'thopter Talgar and his companion had hidden away for them in their little hideaway by the outcrop of rocks. Her heart was pounding as she braced herself for an inevitable future and path that began to unfurl itself before her. She looked outside, her thoughts wondering if the others involved would remain safe or if they'd died when the marketplace had been reduced to nothing but ash. Her mother's friend was dead as was Talgar's companion. How many more would die in the name of Atreides? Her heart told her that the decoys she'd seen in the hall had already met a terrible end. She felt an ache in her chest as the bile began to rise... It was that feeling she knew all too well when danger was near, one she couldn't ignore no matter how much she longed to, no matter how hard she tried. Talgar eased the 'thopter out into the open, flying low over the sands at an easy pace. Still, Helene gripped tightly to the armrests of her seat, her muscles tense as more than once her eyes fluttered shut. She knew that other 'thopter was close. Visions of what happened in Arrakeen filled her mind, but she pushed them out as she watched the sandy dunes rise and lower ahead of them. Glancing over at Talgar, she placed all of her trust in the Fremen. He'd see them both to safety. He had to. She just wished she could better hide the reactions her body seemed to be having. They only worsened when she caught sight of the other 'thopter. There! Helene whispered harshly, though she didn't move from her seat, her hands still holding tight to the armrests. No matter how much reason and logic her mind seemed to bear, her body reacted of its own free will. Despite her tension, she found herself trusting Talgar's skill. Maybe it was the dreams, the way his hands had felt when they'd touched her. Maybe it was something more. But she held onto that and began to recite the litany of fear in her head. She could only hope that her reactions weren't seen as weakness when she was already very aware that she her lack of experience was cause for disadvantage. Hopefully, it proved that she understood what they were up against. Do you see them? Helene was certain that Talgar saw them, her words merely confirming what the Fremen already knew. But, she had to keep her mind going, the litany chanting over and over as her thoughts spun over, her eyes flitting to watch Talgar as he prepared for the inevitableengaging the enemy! Ghani slowly padded away from her brother, leaving him to retreat back into the deserts that had become his new home. She'd never get used to being separated from him as she was, but she understood. It was the one thing she dared herself to understand, though she did not like it. With a resigned sigh, she headed toward the darkened staircase and began the climb back up to where she knew Farad'n would be waiting. A part of her dreaded seeing the Corrino prince, her consort through politics and the will of her brother's. He'd given her several children, all of them precious and dear. Her youngest were having arrangements made where they would find safety and sanctuary in one of the sietches friendly with the Atreides family. It was for the best and what she wanted. She also knew Leto approved. When Ghani reached the top of the stairs, she held the frills she'd stripped off that were nothing but pomp and show for any who might have infiltrated the Keep. She tossed them aside on the stone floor knowing that they'd be tended to. She then made her way to her bedchambers, the place where Farad'n would be. Leaning her weight into the door, she pushed it open. She saw Farad'n's shadow before she caught sight of him. As she entered, she pushed back her hood and looked into his eyes, her own glowing blue like the Fremen she was. How fare you, Ghani asked, her eyes damp with tear. It was hard to hold them back. She thought of Leto and his words to her just before she'd left him. I cannot see her, she admitted and a tear rolled down her cheek. With a angry swipe, she brushed it away. Did Farad'n truly feel this love? How much did her brother know that he refused to share? They were questions she knew she'd never have answered. Not unless she walked her own path.