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

IT PAINED LADY ANIRUL TO SEE THE TRUTHSAYER Lobia dying on a woven mat in her austere apartment. Ah, my friend, you deserve so much more than this.

The ancient Sister had weakened in recent years but clung tenaciously to life. Rather than returning to the familiar halls of the Mother School on Wallach IX, as was her right, Lobia insisted upon continuing her duties for the Golden Lion Throne. Her marvelous mindЧwhat she called her "most precious possession"Чremained sharp. As the Imperial Truthsayer, Lobia faithfully ferreted out lies and deceit spoken in the presence of Shaddam IV, though the Emperor rarely showed any appreciation of her.

Now the fading woman looked up at Anirul, who stood haloed by the gentle light of glowglobes, her shadowed face concealing tears. This old Sister was her closest confidante in the immense Palace, not merely a fellow Bene Gesserit, but also a spry and fascinating person with whom she could share her thoughts and secrets. Now she was dying.

"You will be fine, Mother Lobia," Anirul said. The plastone walls of the sparse, unheated room retained a chill that penetrated to the bone. "I think you are getting stronger."

The old woman's answer was like crackling, dry leaves. "Never lie to a Truthsayer . . . especially not the Emperor's Truthsayer." It was an oft-repeated admonition. Lobia's rheumy eyes danced with self-deprecating mirth, even as her chest labored to maintain the rhythm of breathing. "Have you learned nothing from me?"

"I have learned that you are stubborn, my friend. You should allow me to call for the Medical Sisters. Yohsa can tend to your illness."

"The Sisterhood doesn't need me alive any longer, child, no matter how much you might wish it. Do I need to chide you for having feelings, or should I save us both the embarrassment?" Lobia coughed, then went through the calming regimen of Bindu Suspension, taking two deep breaths and completing the ritual. Her respiration became smooth, as if she were a young woman again, without the concerns of mortality. "We were not meant to live forever, though with the voices in Other Memory, it might seem so."

"I think you just enjoy challenging my preconceptions, Mother Lobia." They often swam together in the Palace's underground canals; they played intense strategy games, staring at each other for hours, winning through ninute nuances. Anirul did not want to let go.

Though the ancient Truthsayer lived in the lavish Imperial Palace, :here were no adornments on the walls of her quarters, no carpets on the tardwood floors. Lobia had removed the original opulent paintings, plush mported rugs, and prismatic-film window coverings. "Such creature com-orts clutter the mind," she had told Anirul. "Personal objects are a waste >f time and energy."

"And does the human mind not create these luxuries?" Anirul coun-ered.

"Superior human minds create marvelous things, but thickheaded peo->le lust after them for their own sake. I prefer not to be thickheaded."

How 1 will miss these discussions when she is gone....

With monumental sadness, Anirul wondered if the Emperor had ven noticed the old woman's absence. For decades, Lobia had been ic finest of Truthsayers, able to note the tiniest sheen of perspiration on le skin, the tilt of a head, a curl of the lips, a tone of voice, and much tore.

Without stirring on the hard mat, Lobia abruptly opened her eyes. "It is me."

Dread inflamed Anirul's heart like a hot coal. I shall not fear. Fear is the ind-killer. Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration. She whispered, understand, Mother Lobia. I am ready to help you." I will face my fear. 1 ill allow it to pass over me and through me.

Fighting tears, forcing herself to maintain her Bene Gesserit >mposure, Anirul leaned forward and touched her forehead to the y-skinned temple of the aged Truthsayer, as if bending over a prayer at. One important task remained before Lobia allowed herself to LSS on.

Anirul did not want to lose the old woman's conversation and friend-ip in this lonely Palace. But she need not relinquish the revered

Truthsayer's companionship. Not entirely. "Share with me, Lobia. I have room inside for all your memories."

Deep in her consciousness, Anirul felt the excitement and clamor of the multitude thereЧOther Memory, the genetically recorded experiences of all her ancestors. As the Kwisatz Mother, Anirul's mind was particularly receptive to ancient thoughts and lives, dating back across the generations. Soon, Lobia would join them all.

Against her forehead, she felt the old woman's ebbing pulse. The heartbeat steadied, their minds opened . . . and the flow began, like a torrent through an open dam. Lobia poured her life into Anirul, transferring memories, aspects of personality, every bit of data contained in her long

life.

One day, Anirul herself would pass the information to another, younger Sister. In this manner, the Sisterhood's collective memory was amassed and made potentially available to all Bene Gesserit.

Empty of life, Lobia sagged into an empty husk like a long-held sigh. Now the record book of the old woman lived within Anirul, among all the other voices. When the time was right, the Kwisatz Mother could call forth the memories of Lobia-within, and they would spend time together again. . . .

Hearing a soft voice, Anirul glanced to one side and immediately masked her emotions. She dared not let any other Sister see such weakness, even at a moment of great grief. At the doorway stood a pretty young Acolyte, motioning for her. "An important visitor, my Lady. Please follow me."

Anirul was surprised at how calmly the words came out of her mouth. "Sister Lobia is dead. We must inform Mother Superior that the Emperor will need a new Truthsayer." With a brief, longing look at the ancient woman lying cold and empty on the hard mat, Anirul departed with the merest whisper of footsteps.