Dune_ House Atreides - Brian Herbert [273]
The Trial by Forfeiture was already highly unusual for the Landsraad court—but the appearance of the future Padishah Emperor himself was unprecedented.
Shaddam made his way up the long aisle and passed Leto with hardly a glance. The Sardaukar took positions behind the defense table, increasing Leto’s feeling of uneasiness.
Shaddam’s face was stony, his upper lip slightly twisted. He gave no sign of his intentions. Did my message offend him? Leto wondered. Does he mean to call my bluff? Will he crush me here in the hall before all the Landsraad? Who could oppose him if he did?
Reaching the towering bench, Shaddam looked up and announced, “Before this trial actually begins, I have a statement to make. Will the court recognize me at this time?”
Though Leto didn’t trust his distaff cousin, he had to admit that Shaddam looked especially regal and elegant. For the first time, he saw this man as a genuine presence in his own right, not just the shadow of his ancient father Elrood. Shaddam’s coronation was set for two days hence, to be followed immediately by his magnificent wedding to Anirul—events that Leto might never live to see. The powerful Bene Gesserit faction had thrown its support to Shaddam’s upcoming reign, and all of the Great and Minor Houses of the Landsraad wanted to stay on his good side.
Does he feel threatened by me?
The head magistrate bowed deeply and made an expansive gesture. “Sire, we are honored by your presence and your interest in this case. Of course the Landsraad tribunal will hear you.” Leto knew only the most basic facts about this magistrate, the Baron Lar Olin from the titanium-rich planet of Risp VII. “Please speak.”
Shaddam pointed over his shoulder, in Leto’s direction. “With the permission of the court, I’d like my cousin Leto Atreides to stand with me. I wish to address the matter of these malicious accusations and, I hope, prevent the court from wasting the valuable time of all its members.”
Leto’s mind raced, and he looked over at Hawat. What is he doing? “Cousin”? The way he says it, the word sounds like a term of endearment . . . but he and I have never been close. Leto was merely the grandson of one of Elrood’s daughters, by the ancient Emperor’s second wife, not even Shaddam’s mother. The Corrino family tree sprawled among the Houses of the Landsraad; any blood connection should have meant little to Shaddam.
The head magistrate nodded. At the table beside Leto, his lawyers sat in astonishment, not knowing how to respond. Warily, Leto levered himself to his feet. With shaking knees, he marched forward to join the Crown Prince, standing a pace away from his side, on his left. While of similar height and facial appearance, the men were dressed in radically different fashion, representing two social extremes. Leto stood in his rough fisherman clothes, feeling like a dust mote in the middle of a whirlwind.
He made a formal bow before Shaddam closed the gap between them, placing a hand on Leto’s shoulder. The fine, loosely fitted satin of the Crown Prince’s tunic cascaded over the arm of the young Atreides.
“I speak from the heart of House Corrino, the blood of the Padishah Emperors,” Shaddam began, “with the supportive voices of all my ancestors who have ever associated with House Atreides. This man’s father, Duke Paulus Atreides, fought bravely for the Imperial cause against the rebels on Ecaz. Through battle and high peril, the Atreides family has never to my knowledge committed any treasonous or dishonorable act—all the way back to their heroism and sacrifice at the Bridge of Hrethgir during the Butlerian Jihad. Never! Never have they been cowardly murderers. I challenge any of you to disprove