Dune 91 - Tales of Dune by Brian Herbert

Author:Brian Herbert [Anderson, Brian Herbert and Kevin J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: WordFire Press
Published: 2017-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

Aboard the quarantine fleet, Manford had been praying. He knew that all the people on the planet below were in his care—not just their fever-wracked and weak physical bodies, but their souls as well, for him to guide and advise. He helped them not to be weak when temptations were strong.

For three days now, ever since arriving to join the battleship cordon with the diligent Anari Idaho, Manford had addressed the entire planet. He spoke to the grieving and suffering people. He blessed them, knowing they took comfort in his compassionate words. With a gesture and a prayer, Manford Torondo, heir to the dreams of Rayna Butler, could bring hope and clarity, not just to those below who were doomed by the red plague, but to all of his followers, who would similarly draw strength from his heroic presence here at Walgis. Every Butlerian must know how Manford’s heart ached when even one of his followers was harmed.

On the bridge of one of the Butlerian quarantine ships, Manford rode comfortably in the harness on Anari’s shoulders. She had placed him there so that he could ride tall, his legless torso fitting neatly into the leather embrace. He was the commander, the great leader and visionary. He’d been staring down at the deceptively peaceful appearance of the planet below. Walgis, a staunchly loyal Butlerian world, had once been ravaged by thinking machines during the jihad. The people had been crushed and tormented, but through adversity came strength. Manford was proud of them.

He’d been thinking about the explosion at Rayna’s last rally, how he had lost the lower half of his body and yet emerged stronger than ever before with a sharper focus, and a greater determination—“Half a man, twice the leader.” Those who survived down there would be even more fiercely loyal than the population had been before.…

And then the VenHold ship arrived over Walgis, a small vessel broadcasting a message of supposed hope and deceptive miracles. Manford felt his muscles tense as he reached down to hold onto Anari’s shoulders, drawing strength from her. She felt as solid as an old tree.

“We have brought vaccines,” said the Suk doctor aboard the approaching vessel.

His jaw ached as he gritted his teeth. Manford called all of his quarantine ships to high alert. Rather than turning their weapons toward the planet below to prevent escapees, now they focused their firepower outward, their crews ready to face this oncoming threat.

Manford broadcast to the population below, not bothering to respond directly to the VenHold ship. “You are strong enough without medicine. Our beloved Rayna Butler endured the most horrific plagues spread by the thinking machines; diseases far worse than the red plague. Her heart and soul were strong, and she recovered. Rayna recovered because God wanted her to recover, knowing she had greater work to do. God will make you recover as well.”

He cut off the communication and looked at Anari, who gazed up at him with complete acceptance and reverence. All around

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