Duncan Idaho, silent and uneasily threatening, stood beside the confident Regent. From his placid expression, Irulan could not tell if he approved, disapproved, or did not care.

Alia tossed her hair back and explained. "My brother was a tolerant, confident man. While your treatises were positive for the most part, he did allow you to write some critical pa.s.sages that questioned his decisions, painted him in a slightly uncomplimentary light. I don't know why he permitted this, but I am not my brother. I do not have Muad'Dib's force of will. I am just the Regent."

Irulan fought the annoyance in her voice. "Modesty and self-deprecation don't suit you, Alia."

"These are precarious times! With the future of the Empire in doubt, I am tiptoeing across drumsand. Anything that diminishes the worth of Paul's memory will weaken my position. Bronso's manifestos are like borer worms chewing away at our foundation, so I shall control what I can control."

In the warehouse, workers piled boxes of the revised biography onto suspensor pallets and moved them out to waiting groundcars that took them to cargo s.h.i.+ps. Nearly a billion of Irulan's books had already been distributed to the planets Paul had conquered in his Jihad.

"Your purpose in my government is to be Bronso's counterpoint. Given the governmentally subsidized distribution, your books will have a much broader platform than the traitor's seditious publications can ever receive. Your official histories will easily overwhelm his lies, by brute force if necessary."

Irulan wasn't a coward who trembled at any threat made on her life, but she did feel an obligation to Paul, and she had to consider the welfare of her husband's twins. "And what is it exactly that you want from me?"

"Imperial security depends upon the reverence the people still hold for my brother. From now on, your writings shall serve a specific purpose. Publish only good things about Paul, positive aspects of his rule, even if you have to distort the truth." Alia gave her a girlish smile, looking like the child that Irulan had helped raise in the first years of Paul's reign. "If you do that, you have absolutely nothing to fear."

Over the ensuing weeks, Irulan returned to her writings with a pa.s.sion and enthusiasm that took Jessica by surprise. The Princess seemed intent on preserving-and exaggerating-the memory of Paul. In a creative fervor, she wrote chapters that expanded the glorious legend of Muad'Dib, taking even more liberties than she had during Paul's lifetime.

Finding it alarming and distasteful, Jessica decided to speak with Irulan. For Paul's sake.

In her private wing of the immense citadel, the Princess had selected the decor and worked with craftsmen and artisans to create an echo of the Corrino palace on Kaitain, where she had grown up. Irulan had her own courtyards and gla.s.sed-in greenhouses, dry fountains and wind-scoured obelisks. She kept to herself on the Citadel grounds and did not often venture out in public.

Making her way without escort or criers, Jessica found the Princess in a courtyard gazebo, scribing words onto crystal sheets. The younger woman glanced up, and tucked a loose strand of gold hair behind her ear. "Lady Jessica, this is an unexpected pleasure." She gestured toward an empty seat beside her at the writing table. "Join me. I'm always happy to talk with you."

"You haven't yet heard what I have to say."

The words elicited a frown. "Have I done something to displease you?"

Taking the offered seat, Jessica did not mince words. "Paul deserves better than shameless propaganda. You've always shaded the truth one way or the other, Irulan, and most of the time I could not fault you for it, because you came close to representing my son accurately. But now, when I compare your histories with known and irrefutable facts, I find them far from the mark. The new revisions to The Life of Muad'Dib The Life of Muad'Dib are very disturbing." are very disturbing."

"Alia's revisions." Irulan tried to cover her embarra.s.sment. "In any case, who can know every fact? My purpose is not to memorialize dry data, but to aid our government in these uncertain times, for the sake of Imperial security. You know the way of it. We were both trained by the Sisterhood."

"I know what Alia wants, and I understand the necessity for propaganda, but now ... nothing negative at all? Not the tiniest thing? Even starry-eyed pilgrims can see your obvious slant."

"In Alia's view, the slant itself provides balance." Irulan straightened her back. "She's right, actually. Bronso's constant unflattering revelations are doing a great deal of damage, and I find them personally reprehensible. They weaken the Regency at its most fragile, unstable moment, when it's just getting under way. So, if my writings are overly favorable toward Muad'Dib in portraying historical events, it is only to counter the slander." The emotion in Irulan's voice surprised Jessica. "History is in my my hands-Paul himself told me that. I can't let Bronso's seditious tracts go unchallenged." hands-Paul himself told me that. I can't let Bronso's seditious tracts go unchallenged."

Jessica let out a long sigh. She had kept Paul's secret for many years, but now she decided that Irulan needed to know. "There's a key point you don't understand."

Irulan set down her stylus and pushed the crystal sheets away. She seemed stiff and overly formal. "Then enlighten me. What is it, exactly, that I am missing?"

"That Bronso was once Paul's friend Paul's friend."

Irulan frowned. "I studied Paul's youth, so I know of his contacts with House Vernius."

"And you know as well that there was a falling out between the Atreides and the Ixians."

"Yes, but the historical record is sketchy and vague. It was not a subject that Paul wanted to discuss, though I did ask him about it."

Jessica lowered her voice, concerned that someone might be eavesdropping, although these events were common knowledge to a person willing to dig into old Imperial records. "The two Houses once had strong ties, and Paul met Bronso when the Vernius family went to Caladan for Duke Leto's wedding. Later, when Paul was twelve, he traveled to Ix to study with Bronso-just as my Leto went to study with Rhombur Vernius when he was young. Duke Leto felt it was important for Paul's training, to make him the next leader of Caladan. The boys became the best of friends-blood brothers sworn to guard each other's life. Until everything changed."

With the comment hanging between them, Jessica met the other woman's inquisitive gaze. Then Jessica proceeded to tell the story.

PART II

10,188 AG

Paul Atreides, age twelve, six months after the end of the War of a.s.sa.s.sins between House Ecaz and House Moritani Three years before House Atreides leaves Caladan for Arrakis

I do not regret any of the challenges of my youth. Each experience shaped me into what I am today. If you want to understand me and my motivations, look backward.

-Conversations with Muad'Dib by the by the PRINCESS IRULAN PRINCESS IRULAN

Disembarking from the Heighliner at Ix, the Lady Jessica rode with young Paul, Duncan, and Gurney on one of the many shuttles to the surface, whereupon they descended through the crust to the cavern city of Vernii.

Jessica saw her son gazing at the immense enclosed s.p.a.ce, fascinated by the artificial sky, graceful support girders, and glittering columns that extended from cavern floor to ceiling. The open area pulsed with activity, whirred with the sound of smoothly functioning machinery, and Paul said, "My father told me of his time studying here with House Vernius, but his descriptions did not do justice to this place."

Gurney struggled not to show how impressed he was by the view. "You will find it time well spent, young Master. A worthy tradition-like father, like son."

Duncan stood rigid, perhaps remembering when he had come to Ix in the battle to restore Rhombur to the throne. "Your invitation here demonstrates to everyone that House Vernius has restored normalcy to Ix after the Tleilaxu invaders were ousted."

Jessica took her son by the arm. "As for me, I'm looking forward to seeing Bronso's mother again. Tessia has written me often to tell me how much she misses Caladan."

"Then we should get to the Grand Palais," Paul said. "It would be rude to keep Bronso and his family waiting for us." He was barely able to restrain his eagerness to begin his new adventure.

The past year's experiences had dramatically matured Paul: his first trip offworld to Ecaz, his first taste of battle during the War of a.s.sa.s.sins on Caladan and Grumman. Duke Leto had commented on the boy's early transition to manhood, and Jessica could not help but agree. Whenever she guided him through prana-bindu exercises, pus.h.i.+ng the boundaries of his mental and muscular abilities, she had begun to see him as an adult. Even at age twelve, Paul was more prepared for the hazards of his life than many of the Landsraad n.o.bles she had met. Jessica thought Paul's eyes looked wiser now than they had even half a year ago.

With businessmen, CHOAM representatives, and industrialists arriving and departing in a constant flow of shuttles, the city of Vernii was a bustling blur of activity. The small Atreides group made their way from the shuttle arrival area toward the inverted palace structure that glittered amidst the other industrial buildings. From the gliding tram that whisked them along the ceiling, they could see a dizzying view of diamond lattice columns that supported the ceiling, as well as the skeleton of an immense Heighliner being built on the wide cavern floor. The s.p.a.cing Guild constantly needed new s.h.i.+ps, and construction continued at a furious pace.

When they reached the expansive portico station of the Grand Palais, Paul pointed to a tall, red-haired boy, whom he knew to be eleven years old. "There's Bronso!" Overhead, crystal chandeliers glittered with myriad prisms, while hidden sonic vibrators in the walls played recorded Ixian folk songs.

Among the arrival party, Jessica was glad to see her old friend Tessia, a fellow Bene Gesserit concubine sent from Wallach IX as a partner to the exiled Prince Rhombur after the temporary overthrow of House Vernius by the Tleilaxu. Rhombur had taken sanctuary on Caladan for years, until he rallied enough of his people to oust the invaders and return Ix to normal rule.

As the Earl of Ix now, Rhombur Vernius was by far the most distinctive in the group greeting Jessica, a patchwork man made of artificial limbs and cyborg systems, rea.s.sembled by the Suk doctor Wellington Yueh after a horrific skyclipper explosion. Dr. Yueh himself, Rhombur's personal physician, also accompanied the welcoming party. Jessica remembered him from his years on Caladan, when he tended the recovering Rhombur. Yueh after a horrific skyclipper explosion. Dr. Yueh himself, Rhombur's personal physician, also accompanied the welcoming party. Jessica remembered him from his years on Caladan, when he tended the recovering Rhombur.

Earl Vernius moved with an uneven, strained gait, as if his synthetic muscles were no longer coordinated. "Welcome! Welcome, my Atreides friends." He lurched forward, his eyes-one real and one artificial-fixed on Paul. "The son of my dear Leto. And Jessica ... Duncan Idaho, Gurney Halleck! How pleased I am to see you all again."

Bronso looked at his father, then joked. "He's also pleased because this gave him an excuse to skip the Technocrat Council meeting."

The cyborg Earl straightened. "Uh, this this is much more important. Friends and family. I promised Duke Leto that his son would feel at home here." is much more important. Friends and family. I promised Duke Leto that his son would feel at home here."

Paul bowed formally. "I present myself to the n.o.ble family of Ix. Thank you for hosting me, and providing me with this experience."

Tessia extended her hand for Paul to take in formal greeting, then gave him a quick hug. "There are always things to learn. We'll have plenty of time together-and Jessica, I look forward to renewed conversations with you. It's been a very long time." She looked at her husband. "But the Earl really should be getting back to the Council meeting. What would Bolig Avati do without you, my dear?"

Rhombur made a rude grunt. "They do what they like, no matter what I say." He leaned forward, speaking conspiratorially to Paul and Jessica. "Four times in the past two years, they've tried to stage accidents to get rid of me, but I haven't been able to prove anything." When Duncan and Gurney reacted with alarm, the cyborg n.o.bleman merely grinned. "Uh, not to worry. I've promised Duke Leto that you'll be safe here."

"And my father made me promise to keep Bronso safe," Paul said.

The other boy flushed. "I thought I was supposed to watch out for you you."

Rhombur gave a sober nod. "Exactly. You both gave your word to your fathers. Now you are bound to watch out for each other, guarding and supporting each other in all possible ways. That is the bond between Vernius and Atreides. A pledge between friends is more binding than any legal doc.u.ment."

The cyborg man tried to rea.s.sure Jessica, Gurney, and Duncan. "Don't worry-I know who my friends and enemies are. Still, the way the technocrats keep whittling away at my responsibilities, I'm becoming a mere figurehead. Soon enough, I won't be worth the trouble for them to make an a.s.sa.s.sination attempt."

"Then we should stand up to what they're doing!" Bronso said. "I'm going to be Earl someday."

Rhombur swiveled his head. "Wait your time, my son, before getting your hands dirty. Be patient, and learn everything you can."

As they stood among the crowds in the portico station, a lift came down through the ceiling from the surface, and three black-robed women emerged. Jessica spotted the delegation, and some instinct warned her not to draw their attention. The stern-looking Bene Gesserits, two of them Reverend Mothers, glided like self-important crows through the people in the reception foyer as additional trams docked.

Next to her, Tessia also stiffened, then reacted with clear alarm. "What are they doing here?"

Seeing the three Bene Gesserits, Paul lowered his voice. "Why don't you want those women to see you?"

"I'd rather not have to answer their questions. They would want to know why we're here."

Paul remained perplexed. "It's no secret, Mother. You came to see Bronso's mother. You and Tessia were friends, and I'm here for offworld training. Why should that raise questions?"

"The Sisterhood always raises questions, lad," Gurney said. "Your mother is right."

Tessia watched the three Sisters carefully. "I don't think this is about you at all. The tall, wrinkled one in front is Reverend Mother Stokiah. I met her once at the Mother School, and it was not pleasant. I had to recite the Litany Against Fear every night for a week just to get to sleep. Be on your guard."

"In that case, I bet they didn't come to purchase new technology for the laundries on Wallach IX," Paul said.

Rhombur gave a loud laugh. "Vermillion h.e.l.ls, even a twelve-year-old boy is suspicious about why they're here!"

Yueh frowned deeply. "Unanswered questions don't always signify sinister dealings." He stared fixedly at one of the arriving Bene Gesserits, his sallow face turning pale and troubled. But he did not explain why the strange woman so captivated his attention. his sallow face turning pale and troubled. But he did not explain why the strange woman so captivated his attention.

Tessia tried hard to pretend that she wasn't bothered, but she kept her voice low. "We should go inside the Grand Palais. The Sisters will tell us what they want soon enough. For now, we've got more important business. Bronso, kindly show our guests to their quarters. And Jessica ... I will speak with you later."

Bronso led them into the main building, devoting most of his attention and excitement to Paul. "You'll be staying with me. I promise, we'll get along famously, just as our fathers did."

An obligation without honor is worthless.

-THUFIR HAWAT, Mentat and Weapons Master of House Atreides

While Paul settled in and got to know Bronso better, Jessica met with Rhombur's wife in the woman's royal apartment as the artificial night began to fall. Jessica had looked forward to a peaceful, social visit before returning to Caladan and leaving her son here to study. But seeing the three Bene Gesserits had changed the tone of their reunion.

Soon enough, the Sisterhood's delegation would reveal their true purpose in coming to Ix. Jessica didn't imagine for a moment that this was a social call. They wanted something. The Sisterhood always always wanted something, and often it had to do with control. Maybe they would challenge her about Paul. wanted something, and often it had to do with control. Maybe they would challenge her about Paul.

Jessica was not a clinging, doting mother, but she did encourage her son to study subjects that went far beyond politics. Since he had no other dedicated tutor, she shared subtleties of her own Bene Gesserit training. Because the Sisterhood had never wanted her to bear a son in the first place, she was sure those women would disapprove of her methods.

Let them disapprove, she decided. She had been making decisions independent of the Sisterhood for some time now.

Jessica made herself smile, trying to shake her mood. "I'm glad Paul is here. He needs a friend, too, since he has no playmates his own age on Caladan-Leto considers it too dangerous." is here. He needs a friend, too, since he has no playmates his own age on Caladan-Leto considers it too dangerous."

"The boys will take care of each other." Looking tense, Tessia seemed unable to relax. "Times are much more stable than when Leto and Rhombur were young. Without the Tleilaxu, our industries are burgeoning, our exports tripling annually." Her voice became troubled. "Rhombur has had to appoint more and more lieutenants. Business subsidiaries run the manufacturing centers, and the Technocrat Council has been swiftly and silently stealing power from him. I fear that House Vernius is becoming obsolete."

From the broad windows in Tessia's quarters, Jessica looked out at the enormous cavern, with its swirling factories and industrial lights, the bustle of workers. One n.o.bleman could not oversee it all without a cadre of loyal administrators, and with profits growing and growing, no one would want the production to slow down.

"Despite the political problems on Ix, I have so much in my life now, Jessica-a family, a place ... and love love, though no Bene Gesserit would recognize, or even understand, that."

Love, Jessica thought. There were certain things the Sisterhood simply didn't understand. "Yet they will always have a hold on us, even after we draw our last breaths and slip into Other Memory."

Without making a sound, the trio of women appeared like a flock of shadows at the doorway. Tessia met the gaze of stern Reverend Mother Stokiah, feigned casualness, and sat back in her chair. "Tell us why you're here." The women did not introduce themselves.

Still standing, Stokiah spoke only to Tessia, not deigning to notice Jessica. "The Sisterhood has new orders for you."

Tessia did not invite them to sit. "I'm no longer certain that the Sisterhood's orders orders are in my best interests." are in my best interests."

The two other visitors stiffened visibly, while old Stokiah scowled. "That is not, and never has been, our concern. Orders are orders."

Jessica moved closer to her friend. "Maybe you should explain what you want from her."

Undercurrents of acid flowed through the Reverend Mother's voice. "We know who you are, Jessica-and you are no s.h.i.+ning example of following the Sisterhood's instructions." Without bothering to look at Jessica's reaction, Stokiah turned to Tessia. "After inspecting the bloodlines in our breeding index, we require various permutations of your genes. You are hereby recalled to Wallach IX so that you may bear certain children." bloodlines in our breeding index, we require various permutations of your genes. You are hereby recalled to Wallach IX so that you may bear certain children."

Jessica noted how well Stokiah maintained her calm. In contrast, Tessia reddened. "My womb isn't a tool for you to borrow whenever you like. I love Rhombur. He is my husband, and I will not be a brood mare for you."

One of the other Reverend Mothers in the entourage, the smallest of the trio, tried to sound conciliatory. "It will not be an extraordinary commitment-three daughters, no more, with different fathers." She sounded so reasonable, as if she were asking Tessia to do nothing more than change a garment. "Rhombur knew you were a Bene Gesserit when he chose you as a concubine. He will understand, and we have asked so little of you in your lifetime."

Jessica felt she had to come to her friend's defense. She quoted the Bene Gesserit motto with stern sarcasm. " 'We live to serve.' "

Tessia rose to her feet. "I have other obligations now. I am also a wife and mother, and I will not turn my back on all that. If you can't understand why, then you're ill-informed about human nature. I shall accept no other lover than Rhombur. That is not a subject for negotiation."