Dune_ House Atreides - Brian Herbert [265]
Lurching forward on the throne, Shaddam looked as if he’d been taken completely by surprise. His eyes became wild and concerned, red from lack of sleep and flashing with anger.
Fenring had seen him on the verge of panic before, just as when they had arranged for the death of his older brother Fafnir. “Calm yourself, Shaddam, hm-m-m-m-m?” he said quietly. “I’ve taken care of everything.”
“Damn you, Hasimir! If word ever gets out about any bribery attempts, it would ruin House Corrino. We can’t allow anyone to see our connection to this!” Shaddam shook his head as if the Imperium was already crumbling around him, and he hadn’t even been crowned yet. “They’ll wonder why we would go to such lengths to save an insignificant Duke.”
Fenring smiled, trying to steady Shaddam with his own confidence. “The Landsraad is composed of Great Houses, many of which are already your allies, Sire. A few carefully phrased suggestions among the nobles, a bit of melange exchanged, some well-placed bribes and threats . . .”
“Ah, yes. I’ve always gone along with you—perhaps too often, as if I had no brain of my own. Soon I will be Emperor of a Million Worlds, and I’ll have to think for myself. I’m doing that now.”
“Emperors have advisors, Shaddam. Always.” Fenring suddenly realized he had to be more cautious. Something had unsettled Shaddam, something recent. What does he know that I don’t?
“For once we won’t use your methods, Hasimir.” He was firm, insistent. “I forbid it. We will find some other way.”
Intense now, Fenring climbed the steps to stand beside the Crown Prince, like an equal. For some reason, though, the atmosphere was uncomfortably changed. What had gone wrong? As babies had they not both sucked on the same breast when Fenring’s mother had been Shaddam’s wet nurse? As boys, hadn’t they been tutored side by side? Had they not concocted plots and schemes together as they grew older? Why was Shaddam suddenly refusing to listen to his advice?
Fenring leaned close to the Crown Prince’s ear. He sounded as contrite as he could be. “My apologies, Sire, but, hm-m-m-ah, it has . . . already been done. I was certain of your approval, and so the notes were cleverly delivered to the appropriate representatives, asking for them to support their Emperor when it comes time to call for a vote in the trial.”
“You dared that? Without consulting me first?” Shaddam purpled with outrage and could not find his voice for some moments. “You just thought I’d follow your lead? In whatever schemes you might contrive?”
Shaddam had grown incensed, too incensed. What else was bothering him? Fenring backed one step away from the throne. “Please, Sire. You’re overreacting, losing perspective.”
“On the contrary, I believe I’m gaining perspective.” His nostrils flared. “You don’t think I’m terribly bright, do you, Hasimir? Since we were children you’ve had a snide way of explaining things to me in training class, of helping me on examinations. And you were always the faster thinker, more intelligent, more ruthless—or so you made it appear. But, believe it or not, I can handle situations by myself.”
“I’ve never doubted your intelligence, my friend.” Fenring’s overlarge head bobbed on his thin neck. “With your standing in House Corrino, your future has always been guaranteed, but I’ve had to fight for my position every step of the way. I want to be your sounding board and confidant.”
Shaddam sat forward on the massive crystal throne that threw sparkle-fire from the glowglobes around the chamber. “Ah, yes. You thought you’d be the power behind the throne, with me as your puppet?”
“Puppet? Certainly not.” Fenring backed another step away now. Shaddam was terrifyingly unstable, and Fenring didn’t know how he had strayed onto such uncertain ground. He knows something I don’t. Shaddam had never questioned his friend’s actions before, had never wanted to know the details of bribery and violence. “Hm-m-m-m . .