"Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson - Dune 09 - House Corrino" - читать интересную книгу автора (Herbert Brian & Frank)

Courtiers gasped at his forthrightness. The Emperor stiffened, obviously offended. "You are bold,
Planetologist. Foolishly so. Do you assume I know nothing of matters so vital to my Imperium?"

"I assume, Sire, that you have been given false information by the Harkonnens, propaganda to hide
their true activities from you."

Shaddam raised a reddish eyebrow and leaned forward, his full attention now focused on the
Planetologist.

Kynes continued, "The Harkonnens are wild dogs tearing at the desert. They exploit the native
people. Casualty rates on spice crawlers are higher even than in the slave pits on Poritrin or Giedi
Prime. I have sent you many reports detailing such atrocities, and my father before me did the
same. I have also delivered a long-term plan detailing how plantings of grass and desert scrub brush
could reclaim much of the surface area of DuneтАФArrakis, I meanтАФfor human habitation." He
paused a beat. "I can

hundreds of plans and contingencies in an instant, which made him vital to the mission. Gurney
was good at slipping into places where he didn't belong and escaping under the direst of
circumstances. These two might be able to succeed where all others had failed. . . .

"I'll have some more of that Caladan white," said Swordmaster Duncan Idaho, raising his goblet. A
servant rushed forward with a bottle of expensive local wine, and Duncan held his cup steady while
rich golden liquid splashed out of the bottle. Raising his hand for the servant to wait, he ;ulped the
wine, then gestured for more.

In the uncomfortable silence, Leto stared toward the wood-carved en-rance doors ... as if waiting,
anticipating the arrival of one more person. iis eyes were like chips of smoky ice.

The exploded skyclipper, the vessel in flamesтАФ

Rhombur mangled and burned, the boy Victor killedтАФ
And then to learn it had all been caused by Leto's jealous concubine [ailea, Victor's own mother,
who had thrown herself from a high tower of >astle Caladan in unspeakable shame and grief...

The cook emerged from the kitchen archway, proudly carrying a plater. "Our finest dish, my Lord
Duke. Created in your honor."

It was a fat parafish wrapped in crisped aromatic leaves. Spiky sprigs of )semary were tucked into
folds of the pinkish meat; purple-blue juniper ;rries lay sprinkled about the platter like jewels. Even
though she served ;to the choicest part of the fillet, he did not lift his fork. He continued to atch the
main doorway. Waiting.

Finally, responding to the sound of plodding footsteps and humming otors, Leto rose to his feet, his
face filled with concern and anticipation, oving quickly on feather-light feet, the plain-featured
Bene Gesserit ;ssia entered the banquet hall. She scanned the room, noted the chairs, e stone floor
where the carpet had been removed, and gave an approving id. "He's progressing admirably, my
Duke, but we must be patient." "He is patient enough for all of us," Leto said, and his expression
began show the pale sunrise of hope.