Chapter 18
Posted: 12 Feb 2008 21:34
The convoluted wording of legalisms grew up around the necessity to hide from
ourselves the violence we intend toward each other. Between depriving a man of
one hour from his life and depriving him of his life there exists only a
difference of degree. You have done violence to him, consumed his energy.
Elaborate euphemisms may conceal your intent to kill, but behind any use of
power over another the ultimate assumption remains: "I feed on your energy."
-Addenda to Orders in Council The Emperor Paul Muad'dib
As Paul leaves the culdesac he meets Stilgar and tells him about the dwarf and the house of conspirators at the end of the street. Stilgar leaves with the dwarf and orders are given to take prisoners at the traitors' house. Out of the sound of Imperial troops attacking arrises the hiss of a stone burner. Stilgar gets away but everyone else is blinded by the nuclear radiation as the weapon burns a hole in the ground where Otheym's house used to be. Paul calls up his vision to guide him and tells the men to sit tight, Stilgar will bring help. Stilgar sheds a tear when he sees that Paul is blinded. Paul tells him not to worry because he is living out his prescient vision now. It is Fremen law that the the blind should be abandoned in the desert. Paul explains to Stilgar that only his body is blinded and that his vision guides him, he orders no one be left in the desert and he will pay for new eyes for anyone that wants them. Paul orders the traitors to be traced through the fuel and manufacture of the stone burner. He notices the smell of fear in the perspiration all around him.
ourselves the violence we intend toward each other. Between depriving a man of
one hour from his life and depriving him of his life there exists only a
difference of degree. You have done violence to him, consumed his energy.
Elaborate euphemisms may conceal your intent to kill, but behind any use of
power over another the ultimate assumption remains: "I feed on your energy."
-Addenda to Orders in Council The Emperor Paul Muad'dib
As Paul leaves the culdesac he meets Stilgar and tells him about the dwarf and the house of conspirators at the end of the street. Stilgar leaves with the dwarf and orders are given to take prisoners at the traitors' house. Out of the sound of Imperial troops attacking arrises the hiss of a stone burner. Stilgar gets away but everyone else is blinded by the nuclear radiation as the weapon burns a hole in the ground where Otheym's house used to be. Paul calls up his vision to guide him and tells the men to sit tight, Stilgar will bring help. Stilgar sheds a tear when he sees that Paul is blinded. Paul tells him not to worry because he is living out his prescient vision now. It is Fremen law that the the blind should be abandoned in the desert. Paul explains to Stilgar that only his body is blinded and that his vision guides him, he orders no one be left in the desert and he will pay for new eyes for anyone that wants them. Paul orders the traitors to be traced through the fuel and manufacture of the stone burner. He notices the smell of fear in the perspiration all around him.