Chapter 14
Posted: 12 Feb 2008 17:37
"There is probably no more terrible instant of enlightenment than the one in
which you discover your father is a man--with human flesh."
-from "Collected Sayings of Muad'Dib" by the Princess Irulan
Duke Leto tells Paul he's going to ask him to do a hatefull thing. Paul has been reading a report on Fremen religion and the references to himself as Mahdi and Lisan-al-gaib disturb him. He remembers Reverend Mother Mohiam talking about the Kwisatz Haderach and his "terrible purpose" is stirred. Leto informs Paul that the Harkonnens are trying to make him distrust Jessica but he would rather distrust himself. Leto tells him about the note and not to tell his mother, he wants the Harkonnens to think they've succeded. Paul worries that he might give it away but Leto doesn't think they'll be watching him and if something happens to him, he can tell his mother the truth. Paul notes how tired the Duke is. Leto regrets not marrying Jessica and tells Paul that he's remained unmarried only for hopes allying with another Great House through marriage. Leto feels there is much opportunity for them here on Arrakis but wonders if it might have been better to have gone renegade. Leto points out that they've begun to use spice in making filmbase to keep flooding the locals with propaganda. Paul suggests he get some rest. Leto points out that the spice gives them some immunity to common poisons. Before Paul interupts, the Duke cuts him off, saying it's good to have someone to talk about these things with. Leto says they ruled with sea and air power on Caladan but on Arrakis they must use desert power. He tell Paul that if something happens to him he's not to go renegade but go guerilla. To hold Arrakis may cost them their self-respect. Paul sense futility and fatalism in his fathers words and is left feeling empty.
which you discover your father is a man--with human flesh."
-from "Collected Sayings of Muad'Dib" by the Princess Irulan
Duke Leto tells Paul he's going to ask him to do a hatefull thing. Paul has been reading a report on Fremen religion and the references to himself as Mahdi and Lisan-al-gaib disturb him. He remembers Reverend Mother Mohiam talking about the Kwisatz Haderach and his "terrible purpose" is stirred. Leto informs Paul that the Harkonnens are trying to make him distrust Jessica but he would rather distrust himself. Leto tells him about the note and not to tell his mother, he wants the Harkonnens to think they've succeded. Paul worries that he might give it away but Leto doesn't think they'll be watching him and if something happens to him, he can tell his mother the truth. Paul notes how tired the Duke is. Leto regrets not marrying Jessica and tells Paul that he's remained unmarried only for hopes allying with another Great House through marriage. Leto feels there is much opportunity for them here on Arrakis but wonders if it might have been better to have gone renegade. Leto points out that they've begun to use spice in making filmbase to keep flooding the locals with propaganda. Paul suggests he get some rest. Leto points out that the spice gives them some immunity to common poisons. Before Paul interupts, the Duke cuts him off, saying it's good to have someone to talk about these things with. Leto says they ruled with sea and air power on Caladan but on Arrakis they must use desert power. He tell Paul that if something happens to him he's not to go renegade but go guerilla. To hold Arrakis may cost them their self-respect. Paul sense futility and fatalism in his fathers words and is left feeling empty.