Chapter 55: Chapter 45-Traitors!
Chapter 46
LADY JESSICA ATREIDES
Jessica watched as the ship landed on the platform, Hwatt stood beside her as they all gathered to welcome the Duchess in all but name, her daughter Alia to Summerhall.
Leto was in the garden, he had wanted to come as well, but she had talked him out of it, asking him to rest while she welcomed their daughter to the castle.
Her relationship with Alia was unique, undergoing the ritual of becoming a Reverend Mother while being pregnant with her had taken a toll on her, complicating her daughter's life by a lot. In ways, Alia was more adult than her, born with memories, baggage, and pain of all those who had come before her, including herself.
And yet Inzal had saved her daughter from her hubris, helping her along guiding her through her powers and her complicated memories, allowing her a gentle respite, and though Alia Atreides would never be a normal child, it was a relief to her that she would never be subject to the accursed 'possession'.
Her daughter walked out of the ship, and even at just a bit over fifteen, she looked to be more in her twenties; the child-like features had long gone from her sharp, thin face, giving her a more mature look. An application other than her own Bene Gesserit powers, one that allowed her to cast a more authoritative presence, and rule over Caladan.
"Welcome to Summerhall, daughter," she said, tersely as Alia walked towards her, flanked on both sides by guards. She saw her eyes scan the retinue as she raised a brow
"Where is father?" Alia asked, offering no greeting of her own, a notion that did not go unnoticed by those around them, including the one spy embedded in their servants by the rebellion forces.
"He is in the garden. Come join us," she offered, and Alia nodded as she began to lead her to the garden, under the watchful eyes of guards and servants all over, and more specifically, him.
And she led her to the garden, the atmosphere between them tense and sharp until they came upon a set table in the garden and sat down.
Alia's relationship with Leto was complicated, he could never see in her the child he had been so happy to hear of, and yet this was his daughter and heir, and he was proud of her, and cared for her in his own way.
"Alia," he greeted her as she sat down and the servants left them all alone, at her command, leaving the three of them alone as they exchanged glances until Alia sighed first, and ranted off in a child like voice.
"I am done," she said as she plopped down her head on the table infront.
"You need to come back and get back to your jobs as the Duke and duchess," and both she and Leto chuckled at that display of childishness as she replied tersely.
"What are you talking about, Duchess? Aren't you the evil abomination child that has usurped the throne of Caladan from her aging and weak parents," she teased, and Alia rolled her eyes.
"Anyone who believed that act is an idiot," Alia added, and Leto raised a brow.
"You have just called nearly half of the galaxy an idiot," he added, and Alis simply shrugged.
"I am so done with it all. Reviewing useless reports, checking for rations, delegating tasks, and meeting envoys. I don't want to do this anymore. The enemy took the bait, and now you both can come back, and rule while I laze off," she said as she picked up a piece of cake and popped it into her mouth.
"Maybe I could even Visit Inzal and maybe even meet him, or I could go to Kaitain and meet Irulan. Anything would be better than being stuck here," she added, and both she and Leto tensed at the mention of him. The name had long become a taboo in these halls, the memories of his loss and betrayal still fresh in their minds.
"I doubt the Emperor would like you adding to his worries on Arrakis," she added, and Alia shrugged.
"He just complains needlessly, both him and Shishakli love having me there," she replied proudly, and it was true though. Because of their shared nature, Inzal and Alia were rather close to one another, much like a brother and sister, with Alia soaking up his affection and attention like a child.
And there was good reason for that. Unlike herself and Leto Inzal was the only one who understood her better than anyone, and was somewhat of a senior to her, guiding her, helping her along.
"I have begun to quite like my retired life," she added as she held Leto's hand and smiled at him.
"I am not quite sure that I even want to return," and Alia perked up at that as Leto began to add.
"Plus, I have heard quite raving praise for you from everyone. Many even say that you are a better ruler than even myself," Leto added, and Alia's face shifted between them as she raised her hand.
"You...YOU DAMN TRAITORS!".
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LADY MARGOT FENRING
Lady Margot Fenring sat in the ship, making its way through the vast galaxy, as she thought of the funeral she was set to attend and the betrayal she had taken part in. She could hardly remember why she had joined the rebellion's side in this great war, which had put her in direct conflict with her own husband.
Theirs had never been a marriage of love or affection but a union of duty and intrigue, and though they stood on opposite sides of the war, but no more.
When the 'four pillars' had told her that they would figure out a way to gain entry to Arrakis, she had not questioned how they planned to do so, for she was. Still, a liaison, the lynchpin of this heinous and diverse alliance, chosen for the immunity she possessed from the Emperor's rage.
And yet a part of her wondered if she had asked them, would they have answered honestly? Would they have told her the truth? Would they even accept responsibility for this transgression?
In the end, a few days after the meeting with the Pillars, a message had arrived for her from the Padishah Emperor, one consoling her for the great loss she had suffered. The loss of her better half of many many years, Lord Hasimir Fenring.
And just so an audience had been granted to her by the Emperor, and now she looked out the window and found herself staring at the all-familiar skies of the desert planet.
Was she sad? Angry? Rebellious?
The answer was oblivious to her even as she rose from her seat, for this was the only part of her that she had left apart from duty, a part she had let go of many years ago, the absence of which was only ever felt today as she was set to see it buried for the last time.
She walked to the landing deck and saw him already there, held in a glass box, with brown, muddy water obscuring the figure inside. It was a humanoid-fish creature with webbed fingers and aquatic legs. This was a Guild Navigator, Edric, and only she knew that he was not just a simple navigator but a leader amongst the guild, a member of the Pillars.
"Are you ready, Lady Fenring?" Edric asked her, and she nodded, already aware of her mission and her role as the ship descended down the skies of Arrakis, landing on the platform of the castle.
"I am," she replied, as she let her emotions and feelings fade away into the back of her mind as duty came over her.
The door to the ship opened, and the ramp was lowered as she saw the retinue that had come to welcome them, a mix of Fremen and Saradukar men, each wearing the Emperor's special army sigil, of two wings spanning into one another.
The captain of the guards stepped forward as she stepped down alongside her retinue, and she could feel the anger and distrust as she descended down the ramp. The Saradukar and Fremen were very distrustful of her, and those that had accompanied her.
And yet she ignored the gazes as she held her head high, as the captain of the guard unit stepped forward.
"The Emperor Inzal Kazal Corrino welcomes you to Arrakis. Come he will meet you now," he said tersely, and she nodded as they made to follow her, and Arrakis had changed much since the last time she had seen it.
Sandy deserts still covered the massive planet, and yet now its air was not so dry, and one could see hundreds of ships landing and leaving the various platforms, built all over the city, probably carrying essential supplies, and soldiers for the war effort.
The city, though, had been expanded and was filled with people from all over the Imperium. It was now open to all Fremen native to the planet, most of whom still lived in their sketches and yet came to the capital to obtain supplies such as food and water, which were otherwise hard to come by in the sketches.
The Royal Palace was the same, though, with its grand tall roofs and thick walls. It was littered with guards, each glaring at her. The distrust of the Bene Gesserit and the guild was the worst on Arrakis, though their situation was not much better on other planets.
And then they were led to the Hall where it had all begun, the very Hall where their last hope in the form of Paul Atreides had challenged the Emperor to an kanli, only to lose.
The guard opened the doors, and she saw it, the throne room. It was empty, except a few people, standing below at the base of the two great thrones, looking down at the Hall.
And as she entered the Hall, she felt it. That ever-present gaze grew stronger as it grew closer to her, sending a shiver down her spine. It was one reason that none had ever been able to make an attempt at the Emperor's life, for it was said that no man could utter a lie, or move a muscle without the Emperor's knowledge.
And as she walked towards the throne, she noticed the figure standing beside her. She pushed down the surprise, recognizing those blonde hair and exotic features even at a distance, for none in the Imperium could ever mistake that face.
Lady Alia Atredies was here.
Immediately, she felt doubt and fear creep up as she took one step after another and tried to think up the implications of her presence.
It was well known that Alia Atreides was the King's most steadfast ally. The Atreides heir had gone as far as to usurp her own mother and father for the Padishah Emperor, the real reason behind this devotion known only to few, for Alia Atreides shared a rather troubling trait with their Emperor.
Both of them were Abominations, children born whole with memories of their ancestors raging in their minds even as they drew their first breath. A threat unlike any other, one whose existence was considered a taboo in the Bene Gesserit code, and yet now the world had not one but two of them at the helm.
She reached the base of the stairs, with the Guild Navigator beside her, and lowered her head as she curtsied.
"This humble servant greets the Sun and Moon of Empire," she said as she held the hems of her black dress as Edric, the guild navigator, gave his own greeting.
"Arise, Lady Fenring," and she did so finally daring to look up at the Emperor who sat on the throne, his blue jewel-like eyes looking down at her ominously, as if seeing past her at the world beyond as he opened his mouth.
"You have my condolences at your loss, Lady Fenring," he began, and she nodded.
"I am grateful for your concern, your grace," she replied as the Emperor nodded.
"And yet you still choose to associate yourself with those whom called him an enemy, those who call me an enemy," and a shiver ran down her spine at those words.
"Did you not fear coming here, to this castle, knowing that I see it all, your lies and your treachery," he began as she gulped down.
"I am no traitor. I am but your humble servant, one who believes in the Emperor's generosity," she rebutted and heard him scoff.
"Generosity. We will see about that," and with that, the Emperor rose from his throne.
"The funeral is set to take place in a week. Until then, you shall enjoy my hospitality, if not for your service, then for the service of your lord husband."
And that was less time than what she had hoped. She had scoured through the texts, rumors, and stories from Arrakis, trying to find out who this preacher was and how she would find him, and had only a handful of theories until now.
But she knew that one could not tempt an Emperor, so she bowed her head as a dutiful servant and spoke up.
"This humble servant is grateful for the Emperor's generosity."
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