Thread: Student of Dune (DarkAngel & Sync)

Helene's breaths were short and shallow. How she wished her mother was with her. This would be her first time into the deserta place her mother loved, her uncle wandered and roamed! It was the Atreides path, their legacy. Yet it was slowly receding, destroying a place that had once been clean and pure and turning it into something else. Her thoughts ran wild as a pang of fear washed over her. With all of her might, she tried to tamp it down, remembering those words she all too often heard both her mother and Irulan, before she'd been sent away, preach time and time again Fear is the mind killer... She was Atreides. She was Leto's niece. She had to face her fear and walk this path set before her. Just then, Helene felt her eyes prick with tears. Blinking, she reached up and touched the salty-wet with her index finger. She studied the tiny glistening bead for a moment before inserting the tip of her finger into her mouth. A vision flitted through her mind the moment she tasted the tiny tear, her face contorting as the face of Alia fluttered through. She could see her eyes, the repentance and regret. Leto... Helene whispered. What's that, girl? the man growled as he waited, back leaning against the door. Helene shook her head, her thoughts still lingering on her uncle. Her mother loved him so deeply, worried for him so steadfastly. She thought on how he must've felt during his earliest years, when he chose to follow that Golden Path...such a dangerous path, yet he'd faced it and embraced it and now he ruled the entirety of the Empire. Nothing, Helene answered, as she moved to put on the cloak. But her thoughts remained on her uncle. Was she ready to face an inevitable fate much like her uncle? No, not like him, but dangerous and terrifying nonetheless. Much like her uncle, she had no choice. She was trapped by all that surrounded her, unable to escape her bloodlines and the hatred. And the giftno cursethat was prescience. The brooding man gave Helene a once over after she put on the cloak, the browns hiding her clothes and allowing her to blend in with the locals. He stepped close and pulled the hood up over her head. Looking down into her face, he gave her a lopsided smile, his blue eyes nearly glowing in the dim light. You look like your mother, he said, causing Helene to flush a pale shade of pink. More so than I expected. With a shrug, he turned away and gave the door a push. His hand reached for Helene's and he pulled her out into the open marketplace. Stay close, he whispered harshly, an order not a request. Helene only nodded. She knew this was what her mother and father wanted. This was her path even if she had no desire to walk it. She'd dreamed this back when she was but a small girl. It had terrified her then, just as it was now. Yes, she remembered it well, every little bit. She truly wished she'd spoken of it to her mother. But the time was lost and she'd never get it back. Such was the curse of the Atreides. Fear is the mind killer... Helene whispered to herself as she was dragged along past a few wandering folk. She didn't like the way they looked her way, eyes staring, studying. What were they thinking? I...I will face my fears... She clamped her eyes shut, letting this man her mother entrusted her with to pull her to safety or wherever it was he had in mind. Be quiet, girl, the man hissed. And take this. He thrust a crysknife into Helene's hand. Helene opened her eyes and looked at the weapon she clutched against her palm. She'd never used one, but had seen her mother practice often. The weapon felt strange against as she held it, but she knew this was a gift to be cherished, a tool to be guarded, something that could save her life. She immediately tucked it underneath her cloak and held it close, praying that she wouldn't have to use it. Not so soon...not so soon. Over there, the man whispered, his tone still harsh as he gestured toward a particular street corner. His eyes focused on two men who fit the description given to him by Ghanima herself. Them. Helene glanced toward the men, her eyes narrowing as the bright light from the sun bore down on them all. She saw them, her heart racing. But something wasn't right. She remembered it from the dream. Something was wrong. They were being followed. Move, girl. Now, the man spoke into Helene's ear as he all but shoved her forward. He grabbed her arm again, his pace quickening. Suddenly, his steps moved in an odd direction. He was no longer heading toward the men he'd pointed out! Helene knew this! This confirmed her fears! You're in danger, young Atreides. I swore to your mother I'd get you out of here alive. I plan to do it. He paused, voice hushed and breaths sharp. You saw those men. Helene nodded, her eyes wide with fear. Yes, she whispered. Get to them, he ordered. At all costs, get to them. He turned and faced her, his hands hard on her shoulders. There's something I must do. But... Helene protested. Go! he shoved Helene off. Don't look back.