"Frank Herbert - Dune 4 - God Emporer of Dune" - читать интересную книгу автора (Herbert Brian & Frank)

"My face is my pledge," he said. He turned his profile to the room, first one
side and then the other. "I show my face that you may know me anywhere and know
that I am one of you."
Stupid ceremony, Siona thought.
But she dared not break the pattern of it. And when Topri pulled a black gauze
mask from a pocket and placed it over his head, she took out her own mask and
donned it. Everyone in the room did the same thing. There was a stirring around
the room now. Most of the people here had been alerted that Topri had brought a
special visitor. Siona secured her mask's tie behind her neck. She was anxious
to see this visitor.
Topri moved to the room's one door. There was a clattering bustle as everyone
stood and the chairs were folded and stacked against the wall opposite the door.
At a signal from Siona, Topri tapped three times on the door panel. waited for a
two count, then tapped four times.
The door opened and a tall man in a dark brown official singlet slipped into the
room. He wore no mask, his face open for all of them to see - thin and imperious
with a narrow mouth, a skinny blade of a nose, dark brown eyes deeply set under
bushy brows. It was a face recognized by most of the room's occupants.
"My friends," Topri said, "I present Iyo Kobat, Ambassador from Ix."
"Ex-Ambassador," Kobat said. His voice was guttural and tightly controlled. He
took a position with his back to the wall facing the masked people in the room.
"I have this day received orders from our God Emperor to leave Arrakis in
disgrace."
"Why?"
Siona snapped the question at him without formality.
Kobat jerked his head around, a quick movement which fixed his gaze on her
masked face. "There has been an attempt on the God Emperor's life. He traced the
weapon to me."
Siona's companions opened a space between her and the ex-Ambassador, clearly
signaling that they deferred to her.
"Then why didn't he kill you?" she demanded.
"I think he is telling me that I am not worth killing. There is also the fact
that he uses me now to carry a message to Ix."
"What message?" Siona moved through the cleared space to stop within two paces
of Kobat. She recognized the sexual alertness in him as he studied her body.
"You are Moneo's daughter," he said.
Soundless tension exploded across the room. Why did he reveal that he recognized
her? Who else did he recognize here? Kobat did not appear the fool. Why had he
done this?
"Your body, your voice and your manner are well known here in Onn," he said.
"That mask is a foolishness."
She ripped the mask from her head and smiled at him. "I agree. Now answer my
question."
She heard Nayla move up close on her left; two more aides chosen by Nayla came
up beside her.
Siona saw the moment of realization come over Kobat
his death if he failed to satisfy her demands. His voice did not lose its tight
control but he spoke slower, choosing his words more carefully.
"The God Emperor has told me that he knows about an agreement between Ix and the
Guild. We are attempting to make a mechanical amplifier of... those Guild