Chapter 15: marbled throne.
As they got to the Hangar under Kings Mountain, Duncan, Idaho, was fascinated by the technology these people had. He had seen a fair share of things on Caladan and when he was at war against the Harkonnens, but this was something else.
A young Fremen boy, clad in what appeared to be Military attire, approached them. However, his attention was solely on Jamis, whom he saluted with utmost respect. He then proceeded to mount one of the bikes, effortlessly activating Duncan's bike with a single click. The bike obediently followed him as he rode off, leaving Duncan in awe of the boy's efficiency.
Fascinating, Duncan thought. He turned around and was met with a man with dark skin and black hair like wool. Duncan saw the man's whole face behind the mask and was glad.
" come, the king wishes to meet you." Jamis said as he led Duncan to a corner of the hangar where an elevator was.
In the hangar, a lot was happening simultaneously; you could hear men yelling at each other in a sequence. Duncan recognized this as military training. He also saw a man in bag-like clothing working on a big hunk of a ship in the middle.
" A soldier is always a soldier no matter where he is," Jamis said to Duncan, leaving the man chuckling. " I do not mind; if the king wants you here, then you are allowed."
Jamis clicked a button on the side of the Elevator, and the doors opened. They both got in the small box, and awkward music began playing inside. " Lovely music, " Duncan said.
" No, it is not; the music is horrid. Jamis said, " It would be best if you were truthful to the king; don't try to lie to him. He will know, "A ding was heard from the elevator door. And the doors opened wide.
Duncan looked to the upper right corner and saw a number that said one, meaning the highest floor.
When the doors opened, a scene he had never seen appeared. Marbled flooring on the ground, shining with the sun's light coming in at the open glass windows at the top as a ceiling. In the middle of the hall stood a long table spanning twenty yards.
What fascinated him even more was its brown texture; it looked like wood, which was expensive in this part of the universe. By looking at it, he could tell it was smooth and well-designed. He looked to the walls, and there were murals of a man with wings standing above a figure with horns stabbing him in the back.
On the other side, another mural showed a naked man sitting down. His finger extended to the finger of a man who stood just like him. In the distance, another figure hid behind his arms as tears came from his eyes.
Beside the murals and behind the pillars where the guards stood. There were shelves of books, thousands of them stacked nicely and beautifully. Duncan had never seen such a thing, especially on Arrakis. A desert planet Produced this. He asked himself
Where the guards stood under the pillars, you could see the pillar itself. The floor was marble-like, but gold was embedded in it.
The Guards wore not a stillsuit but something like it; they wore all-black armor, and even their faces were covered. On their heads was a helmet that made them nervous to look at; they demanded respect, and it was rightfully owed. They are the KingsGuard. On their chest was a symbol of a Black hawk like the Atreides; the difference was Duncan's earlier suit had the Atreide's white hawk.
Is he related to my Duke Duncan thought
As he looked forward, passing the table and the chairs, he saw a black staircase leading to the grandest of all things in there, the throne; it was filled with rubies of all sorts: red, green, blue, purple, and gold. To the Side of the staircase was a figurine of a sandworm. It climbed itself to the apex of the throne. Its jagged, sharp teeth stood up there like a crown.
You are showing me who you are without speaking; this man is dangerous and calculative; he shows me this as if he knows me. Duncan thought. But then he remembered the word Jamis said to him. ' You must not lie to the King. He will know. '
"Half-truth, Half lies then," whispered Duncan to himself, but he was heard by Jamis, who shook his head at the man's stupidity and futility.
A Guard who stood on post came to Jamis, whispered to him, and returned to his post, standing there like a robot. The good old days, Duncan thought as he remembered the early days of him working as Lieutenant to his Duke Leto.
Jamis turned to Duncan and said, " One of these men will escort you to your room; you must shower. Do not worry; clothing will also be provided." Jamis said as he looked at the same guard, and the man nodded and walked towards him.
Should I tell them I am expected back in Arrakeen by Tomorrow? Thought Duncan, but he remained quiet.
The Guard leading Duncan to His room stood post on it as he showered and put on new clothes. When Duncan entered the room, he was shocked by what was offered. The room had a large mattress. Once you sat on it, it would make your butt feel comfortable and relaxed. Hell, he almost fell asleep when he laid on it. The room felt welcoming, and for that, he thanked this king of the mountain. Duncan had been facing discomfort ever since coming to Arrakis.
Once he was home in Caladan, the next thing he knew, the emperor had decreed that they set course for Arrakis and control spice. Many Atreides soldiers felt not welcomed on Arrakis, and it was true. Arrakis is a desert planet instead of an ocean-filled planet with mountains of green and beautiful land.
When he finished dressing, he walked out of the room wearing sweatpants, a white shirt, and sandals. He was truly comfortable here.
When he reached the Throne room again, a smell of Deliciousness hung in the air. Before him stood two guards, one behind him. Once the Gaaurd behind Duncan nodded, the other two Opened the golden doors that led to the throne room.
Duncan thought. There was more than one way to enter the throne room. In the Head seat of the Table was a man with a lean build and long hair, but he wore a mask like Jamis.
" The soldier returns with a clean shave, I see, and properly washed. Welcome to my home, and I believe you and I have a lot to talk about, Lieutenant. " Krelln said.
Duncan had gotten so much from those few words, but they also spoke volumes about who this man sitting before him was; he liked to know everything.
On the Table was food, but most Importantly, there was meat. Meat was something to have on Caladan, and this looked like beef. On Caladan, there were bulls, and that was the only source of beef. But they were not domesticated. He asked himself how the Fremen man acquired such fine food.
There was an empty plate where Duncan was meant to sit. He grabbed the chair and slid into it. He began to grab the food before him, which consisted of meat, potatoes, and a good soup to the side.
A good minute passed as he chomped down on the food; Krelln watched as the juices protruded from the Tomahawk. A moan of satisfaction escaped Duncan's mouth: " It seems you like the food," Krelln said.
Duncan, lost in his food, Gained Clarity and asked, " How?" as he pointed at the stake.
Krelln's mind ran numbers and observed everything like Data. He was like a computer analyzing everything there was to Analyze. He analyzed Duncan's behavior pattern. He thought of the many outcomes that could be made by his words.
"You would be surprised by what you could do with a small speck of DNA. Such wonderful things, but difficult to do," Krelln said, and Duncan's mind went into overdrive. He was only a soldier, but he knew vital information when he heard it. He did not know he was being fed half truth, half lies; after all, he was speaking with a man who was trained by the Bene Gesserit way, by Karni.
" You don't mean..." Duncan said but was interrupted. " Yes, I do; that is exactly what I mean."