Chapter 7 Chapter VII

Jessica was among a pile of packed daily necessities in a corner of the open air outside the Great Hall of Alakane... Boxes, crates, crates, cartons... some were not fully packed it is good.Jessica listened as the cargo carrier from Gilder delivered another shipment to the entrance. Jessica stood in the center of the hall, moving slowly, looking up, down, left, and right at the carvings, cracks, and deep recessed windows in the shadows.The great anachronism of the room reminded her of the sister hall at Bee Geist School.But the Sisters' Hall has a warm feel to it, and here everything is black stone.

Some architect, Jessica thought, had dug deep into the past for these dadoes and black hangings.The vaulted roof above her was two stories high and spanned with huge beams that Jessica thought must have been transported from outer space to Arrakis at great expense. The environment of such a planet cannot grow wood that can be used as beams and columns... unless they are imitation wood materials. Jessica didn't think the beams were imitation wood. This place was the seat of government in the old dynasty. At that time, the cost was not as important as it is now.It existed before the Harkonnen and their newly built megacity... Kassegg, a cheap and shameless place, two hundred kilometers northeast of the Remnant.It was wise for Leido to choose this place as his office location.The name Alakane is sweet and has a strong local tradition.The city is small and easy to purify and defend.

Then there was another sound of boxes being unloaded at the entrance, and Jessica sighed. The box on Jessica's right has a portrait of the Duke's father, and the packing thread hangs from it like an ornament, and Jessica's left hand is still wrapped in thread.Next to the portrait is a bull's head embedded in a decorative panel. The black bull's head is a black island in the sea.The decorative panels lay flat on the ground, and the bull's protruding snout pointed to the ceiling, as if panting, ready to rush into the echoing room. Jessica wondered what had prompted her to take these two things apart in the first place...the bull's head and the portrait.She understood that there was some kind of symbolism in it.For the first time since the Duke's men had bought her from Bee Geist, Jessica felt so frightened and so lacking in confidence.

Bull head and portrait. This made her even more bewildered.Jessica glanced at the narrow overhead window and shuddered.It was just after noon, and at this latitude the sky seemed dark and cold...much darker than in warmer Caladan.A wave of homesickness welled up in Jessica. The distant hometown, Kaladan. "We're here!" This is the Duke's voice. She turned in an instant to see the Duke striding down the vaulted corridor to the dining room, his black uniform with its red eagle looking dirty and wrinkled. "I thought you were lost in this dreadful place," he said.

"The house is cold," she said.The duke's tall, dark skin reminded her of olive groves by blue waters and golden suns; his gray eyes seemed to flow like clouds, and his face was predatory: thin and angular. Jessica's chest tightened, and she suddenly felt a little afraid of the Duke.Since deciding to obey the king's orders, he has become a fierce and pressing man. "The whole city feels cold," she said. "It's a dirty, dusty fortress town," agreed the duke. "We're going to change that." He looked around. "This is a public place for government events. I just saw the family living in the south wing." It's much more comfortable over there." He walked to Jessica's side, reached out and stroked her arm, admiring her luxury.

The Duke's curiosity about her unknown family was born again... the family of apostates?Perhaps, or the secretly persecuted royal family?She seemed more orthodox and purer of blood than the king himself. His direct gaze caused Jessica to turn slightly, sideways on the Duke.He realized that there wasn't a single exact spot in Jessica that concentrated her beauty.Bronze-colored hair shines, an oval face, eyes set wide apart, as bright and clear as the morning sun in Carradine; small nose, wide and wide mouth; excellent figure, slightly thin, It is tall and has smooth curves. He remembered the girl at school saying she was as thin as a stick, and the buyer had told him so.

But that description is too simplistic.She brings royal beauty and elegance back to the Atrez family.Paul liked her, which pleased the duke. "Where's Paul?" he asked. "Heyue is doing his homework somewhere in the house." "Maybe in the south wing," he said, "I seem to hear the voice of Yue, but I don't have time to look." The key to it hangs in the dining room." She held her breath, resisting the urge to reach out and pull him.Hanging up the keys, this act has a certain kind of finality.But this is not the place for consolation. "I came in and saw our flag on the roof," Jessica said.

He glanced at his father's portrait and asked, "Where are you going to hang it?" "Anywhere here." "No." The Duke's tone was flat but unquestionable, implying that she could use tricks to persuade him, but she could not argue publicly. The Duke was using gestures to remind her that she would not use tricks against the Duke herself, but she still had to try. "Your Excellency," she said, "if you only..." "My answer is always no. I leave you in charge of most things, but not this one. I just came from the restaurant and there's..."

"Your Excellency, please listen to me..." "The choice is a matter of your appetite and the dignity of my ancestors, my dear," said the duke. "Hang them in the dining room." She sighed: "Yes, Your Excellency." "Whenever possible, you may resume the custom of dining in your residence. I only wish you to be present on official occasions." "Thank you, Your Excellency." "Don't be polite and indifferent to me! You have to thank me, my dear, for not letting you marry me, or it would be your duty to dine with me." She tried her best to stabilize her emotions and nodded.

"Hawat has installed our own gas detector on the dining table," he said, "and you have a portable one in your room." "You expected this... feud..." she said. "My dear, I have also considered your convenience. I have hired servants, all of whom are locals, but Hawat told them to clean up...they are all Fremans, and we will do it to our own people." until you finish other business." "Is everyone here really safe?" "Anyone who hates Harkonnen is safe. You might even be willing to keep Chief Steward Shadout Mapes." "Shadout," said Jessica, "a Freeman title?"

"Others say it means good spoon. That meaning is peculiar here. As a servant, though Hawat thinks highly of her on Duncan's report, it is believed that she wants to serve you exclusively." "for me?" "The Fremen know you as Bee Gist," he said. "Here is a wonderful legend about Bee Gist." Jessica thought: Missionaries, they're everywhere. "Does this mean Duncan has succeeded?" she asked. "Will the Fremen be our allies?" "It's not sure yet," he said, "They want to observe us for a while, Duncan said so, but they have agreed not to harass my outlying villages during the negotiation period, which is a good progress, better than expected." Good. Hawat told me that the Fremans were once a thorn in the flesh of the Harkonnen, and the extent of the damage and the scope of the attack were kept strictly confidential, and it would be useless for the emperor to know the incompetence of the Harkonnen army." "A Freeman butler," said Jessica, bringing the subject back to Shadout Mapes. "She'll have all blue eyes." "Don't be fooled by the looks of these people," the duke said, "they have deep strength and a healthy life inside them, and I think they can be everything we need them to be." "It's a dangerous gamble." "Let's not talk about that," he said. She forced a smile: "There is no doubt that we have a calling," and she took two deep breaths, a quick calm, a ceremonial thought. "I want to allocate a room, do I need to reserve any special place for you?" "You'll have to teach me how you do it in the future," he said. "It must be Bee Geist's talent to put your troubles aside and focus on practical affairs." "It's a woman's thing," she said. The Duke laughed. "Okay, assign rooms. Make sure I have a large office area next to my bedroom area, where I have to handle far more paperwork than Carradine. Of course, there has to be a guardhouse, and it has to be hidden. Don't worry about this building." The safety of the house is a concern and it has been thoroughly inspected and furnished by Hawat's men." "I believe they have done so." The Duke raised his hand and looked at his watch. "Be careful to set all our chronometers to Arakane time. I have sent a technician to do this. He will be here in a moment." He put his hand on Jessica's forehead. A strand of hair was pushed back. "I have to go to the landing site now, the second spacecraft with our backup crew could arrive any moment." "Can't Hawat pick it up, sir? You look too tired." "Poor Saffy is busier than I am. You know the planet is full of Harkonnen machinations. Besides, I have to try to persuade some experienced decaying spice miners not to leave. You know, the lords change and they have the choice .and the planetologist placed by the Emperor and Landsrad cannot be bought, he is the emergency judge here, allowing people to choose. About 800 journeymen want to leave on the spice ship, and Jill Germany's freighter is there too." "Your Excellency..." She didn't continue, and hesitated. "what?" It's impossible for him to not worry about our safety on this planet, Jessica thought, and I can't play tricks on him. "What time would you like to dine?" she asked. He thought: That's not what she meant to say, oh my Jessica, I wish we were somewhere else off this planet, just the two of us, carefree. "I'm going to eat out with the officers," he said, "I'll be back late, don't wait for me. And...well, I'll send a guard car to pick up Paul, I want him to attend the strategy meeting .” He cleared his throat as if to say something else, then, turning abruptly, walked away without a word, towards the gate, where the boxes were being unloaded.His voice came from over there, domineering and condescending.This was always the way he spoke to his servants, especially when he was in a hurry. "Ms. Jessica is in the hall, go to her right now." The outer door slammed shut. Jessica turned around and looked at the portrait of Leido's father.This was the work of the famous painter Alb, when the old Duke was in his middle age.He was wearing a matador's coat, a magenta cape draped over his left shoulder, and his face looked younger, no older than Rado's now, both of them sharp as hawks, with gray eyes.She clenched her fists and stared at the portrait. "Hate you, hate you, fuck you!" she said softly. "What are your orders, my lord?" It was a woman's voice, high-pitched, humble. Jessica turned to see a gray-haired woman with large knuckles in a fat manservant's smock.This woman is as wrinkled and dehydrated as the women I saw on the road in the morning.Jessica thought: Every native person seen on this planet looks dry and malnourished.However, Leido said they were strong and active.There are also those eyes, blue and blue, extremely deep, without any white, appearing mysterious. Jessica forced herself not to stare at them. The woman nodded stiffly and said: "My name is Chardout Mapes, Your Excellency. What do you want?" "You can call me 'Ma'am,'" Jessica said. "I am not of noble birth. I am the concubine of the Duke of Ledo." After another strange nod, she quietly raised her eyes to sneak a peek at Jessica, and asked slyly, "There's another wife, then?" "No, never. I am the duke's only ... mate, and the mother of his heir." As she said this, Jessica smiled proudly inside.What did St. Augustine say?she asked herself secretly. "Consciousness controls the body and it does what it wants. Consciousness governs itself and meets resistance." Yes... I've faced more resistance lately.I can retreat quietly. A strange roar came from the road outside the house, repeating: "Su... Su... Suka!" Then: "Ikut... eh! Ikut... eh!" Then again: " Su... Su... Suka!" "What's that?" Jessica asked. "I've heard it several times this morning as we drove down the street." "It's the water merchant's voice, ma'am. But you don't have to care what they're called. The water tank here holds fifty thousand liters of water, and it's always full." She looked down at her clothes. "Oh, you know, I don't even have to wear a filtration suit here," she giggled, "I'm not even going to die!" Jessica was a little hesitant, and wanted to ask this woman to get some useful information.But restoring order to the castle seemed more urgent.But she still finds herself unaccustomed to the way of thinking that water is the main symbol of wealth here. "My husband told me what you're called, Shadout," said Jessica. "I recognize the word. It's very old." "So you know the old languages?" Mapes said, with a look of nervous anticipation in her eyes. "Languages ​​are the basics of Bee Geist," Jessica replied. "I know Hotan Jibb, Chicobusa, and all the hunting languages." Mapes nodded and said, "Just in line with the legend." Jessica thought to herself: Why am I playing such a trick?Kobe Gist's way is cunning and hard to guard against. "I understand the shady dealings and tactics of the Great Godmother," Jessica said.She noticed that Mapes's movements and expressions showed surprise and fear. "Miseskis, Pregia," Jessica said in Chicobusa, "Andral, Paja! Delhadshik, Buscarre, Miseskiss, Puhak is tired..." Mapes took a step back, ready to run away. "I know a lot," Jessica said. "I know you've had children, lost loved ones, hid in fear, used violence, and are ready to use more. I know a lot." Mapes whispered, "I didn't mean to hurt anyone, ma'am." "You talked about the legend, and you want to find the answer," Jessica said. "Be careful, you may have the answer. I know you came prepared, with a hidden weapon, ready to resort to violence." "Ma'am, I..." "The possibility of the future is that you may let my life blood flow," Jessica said, "and the disaster and destruction you will bring about by doing so are beyond your imagination. Some consequences are worse than death, You understand, especially to a nation." "Ma'am!" Mapes begged, as if she was about to fall to her knees, "this weapon is a gift for you after proving your identity." "If it proves wrong, it will end my life," Jessica said.She waited, seemingly relaxed, which is how someone trained by Bee Geist can intimidate an opponent in a confrontation. She thought: Now I see clearly what decision she has made. Mapes slowly reached into her clothes from the collar and took out a black scabbard with deep finger grooves on the black handle.She held the sheath in one hand and the handle of the knife in the other, pulled out a knife with a milky white blade, and held it up.The knife is bright, the blade is shining, like a double-edged dagger, with two edges, and the blade is about 20 centimeters long. "Do you know this thing, ma'am?" Mapes asked. This could only be one thing, and Jessica knew very well that the legendary Arrakis Screaming Blade had never been seen on other planets, and was only heard of in absurd rumors. "This is the Screaming Blade," she said. "Don't make it so trivial," said Mapes, "do you know what it means?" Jessica thought, this question has hidden murderous intentions, which is why this Freeman woman is going to be my servant...to ask this question.My answer may lead to violence.She is known by the Checobusa as Shadot Knife, or "Death Maker", which is what the Chicobusa calls knives.She's getting a little fidgety, I have to answer now, hesitating is as dangerous as being wrong. Jessica said, "That's a maker..." "Aye! . . . " cried Mapes, in a voice both pained and excited.She trembled, and the light of the blade danced in the room. Jessica was composed and paused for a moment, she was about to say that the knife was "deathmaker" plus that ancient word, but now it felt like a warning to her, all her muscles were on alert, deeply trained heralds a new meaning. The key word is...maker. maker?maker. Mapes was still holding a knife, as if ready to use it at any time. Jessica said, "You think I, who knows the secret of the Great Godmother, don't know the Maker?" Mapes put down the knife. "Ma'am, when you live with a prophecy for too long, it's an incredible shock when it comes true." Jessica thought about the prophecy... the legendary seed sown here by the Bee Geist Guardians many centuries ago... those who sowed died long ago, no doubt, but the purpose was finally achieved.The legend of the Guardian Mission was spread among these people for some future need of Bee Gist. Now, that day has come. Mapes put the knife back into its sheath and said, "This is an uncertain blade, keep it by your side. It will disintegrate in a week without blood. It is yours... Sand Lizard Fang, Will be with you forever." Jessica stretched out her hand and decided to take a risk: "Mapas, the blade you put away hasn't seen any blood." Mapes took a breath, let go, and the knife fell into Jessica's hand.She tore off her clothes and cried to Jessica, "Take my water of life!" Jessica drew the knife, how bright it was!She pointed the tip of the knife at Mapes, and saw that the woman showed a fear far beyond the fear of death.Poison on the tip of the knife?thought Jessica.She picked up the tip of the knife and scratched lightly on Mapes' left chest. Blood oozes out immediately, but the bleeding stops immediately.Hypercondensation, Jessica thought, a variation on moisture retention? She put the knife back into its sheath and said, "Button up, Mapes." Mapes obeyed, still trembling.Those eyes without a speck of white looked at Jessica. "You are our man," she said, "you are that man." There was a sound of unloading at the entrance, and Mapes quickly grabbed the scabbard and hid it on Jessica. "Anyone who sees that knife must be cleared or killed!" she said in alarm. "You know that, ma'am!" Now I know.thought Jessica. The delivery man left without entering the lobby. Mapes said: "The wicked man who has seen the sword cannot leave Arrakis alive. Don't forget, lady. This shrieking blade is entrusted to you." She took a deep breath: "Now, everything is restored It's normal, don't worry too much." She glanced at the piles of boxes and goods around her: "The work here is piled up again." Jessica hesitated, "Everything is back to normal", this is the prompt in the spell of the Guardian Mission... The Holy Mother comes to save you. But I'm not a Madonna, Jessica thought, then I'd be a great Godmother!This is the legendary character they spread!This must be a horrible place. Mapes said solemnly: "What would you like me to do first?" Instinct warned Jessica of this casual tone, and said, "This portrait of the old Duke must hang in the dining room, and the bull's head must hang on the wall opposite it." Mapes walked up to the bull's head. "I don't know how big the cow is," she said, stooping. "I've got to get this thing out of the way first, don't I?" "No" "But it has dust on its corners." "That's not dust, Mapes, it's the old prince's blood. The horns are sprayed with a clear curing agent. The cow killed the old prince." Mapes stood up. "Oh, really!" she said. "It's just blood," Jessica said. "Old blood. Go get some men to hang these things up, the bull's head is heavy." "You think blood disturbs me?" asked Mapes. "I've come from the desert and seen a lot of blood." "I... know you've seen a lot," Jessica said. "Even my own," said Mapes, "more than that little slit you just made." "You want me to row deeper?" "Oh, no! The body's water is too scarce to be wasted in the air. You did it just right." Jessica noticed the tone and posture, and understood the implication, "water for the body", and once again deeply felt the incomparable importance of water in Arrakis. "And those things on that wall in the dining room?" Mapes asked. This Mapes is a real person.thought Jessica.She said, "You decide for yourself, Mapes. It really doesn't matter." "You are welcome." Mapes bent down and began to tear off the packaging from the bull's head. "Kill the old duke, eh?" she hummed to the bull's head. "Shall I call a transporter to help you?" Jessica asked. "I can do it." Yes, she could handle it, Jessica thought, the Freeman was born that way, willing to handle it himself. Jessica felt the coolness of the knife under her dress, and remembered that the long chain that Bee Geist had planned had also made such a link.Because of that plan, she was able to save herself from this mortal danger. "There's no rush," Mapes had said.However, thousands of things came to this place according to their own rhythm, which made Jessica feel urgent and danger was coming.Neither the perfect preparation of the Guardian Mission nor Hawat's strict cleaning and defense could dispel her feeling. "After those things were hung up, we started unpacking," Jessica said. "The porter at the door has the key and knows where everything goes. Go to him to get the key and the manifest. If there is anything you don't understand, I'm in the South Wing." "Understood," Mapes said. Jessica turned to leave, thinking: Hawat may have made this place a safe zone, but there's still something wrong with this place, I can feel it. She felt suddenly anxious to see her son.She began to walk down the vaulted corridor through the dining room to the living quarters.Hurry up, hurry up!She almost ran. Behind Jessica, Mapes was clearing the packaging on the cow's head, watching Jessica's disappearing figure and said, "It's her, no problem, poor thing."