Sandworms of Dune - Brian Herbert [93]
“I will. If I remembered everything now, I’d probably want to go with you back to the desert. And so would Usul.”
Beside them, Paul shook his head. “My place is here. Our fight is bigger than one desert.”
Stilgar took his friend’s arm, urging Liet to hurry. “This planet is large enough for us. I feel in my soul that this is why Liet and I have been brought back, whether or not Sheeana realizes it. Perhaps someday, no matter how it appears now, we will all see that this is part of the greater battle.”
Meanwhile, the Rabbi spoke to his fifty-two enthusiastic followers at their stations on the no-ship. Isaac and Levi had taken over many of the old man’s duties, and at his signal they directed the Jews to gather their possessions and bring prefabricated shelters from the Ithaca’s vast storage chambers. Soon, all of them had shuttled down to the surface, where they disembarked and began unloading the landed cargo ships under Isaac’s direction.
On the ground Var strode through the activity, marshalling his followers. He ran a covetous eye over several of the craft that Duncan had brought down during his show of force. “Those mining shuttles would be a great help to us for carrying supplies and water across the continent.”
Sheeana shook her head. “Those ships belong to the Ithaca. We may need them.”
Var glowered at her. “Small enough compensation for causing the death of an entire world, I’d say.”
“I didn’t contribute to the death of your world. You, however, killed Stuka in cold blood, before—”
Quickly, Teg went into Mentat mode, mentally inventorying the supplies and equipment they carried aboard the no-ship. To Sheeana, he murmured, “Although we had no part in the damage done to this world, we did resupply our ship here, and many of our people are staying behind as settlers. A token payment is not unreasonable.” When she nodded, Teg turned to Var. “We can spare two shuttles. No more.”
“And two desert experts,” Liet piped up. “Stilgar and me.”
“Not to mention a willing and hardy workforce. You’ll be glad to have the Jews here.” Teg had noticed how industrious the Rabbi’s people were. He expected they would do well on this planet, even as the climate turned harsher. Someday, however, they might decide that Qelso wasn’t their promised land after all.
NOT SURPRISINGLY, GARIMI and her conservative followers also wanted to leave the no-ship permanently. More than a hundred of the Sisters asked to be released from the Ithaca to settle on Qelso, even with its ever-growing desert. There, they planned to establish the foundation for their new order. Back on the no-ship, Garimi announced their choice to Sheeana more as a courtesy than a matter for discussion.
But the people of Qelso would hear none of that. They met the Sisters’ landed shuttle with drawn weapons. Var stood with his arms crossed over his chest. “We accept Liet-Kynes and Stilgar among us, as well as the Jews. But no Bene Gesserit witch is welcome here.”
“No witches!” other Qelsans cried, their expressions suddenly murderous. “If we find them, we kill them.”
Having accompanied them for a farewell, Sheeana tried to speak on Garimi’s behalf. “We could take them to the other side of the continent. You would never know about their settlement. I promise, they’ll cause you no trouble.”
But the incensed Qelsans were not inclined to listen, and Var spoke again. “Your kind act only for the benefit of the Sisterhood. We welcomed them once, to our deep and lasting regret. Now Qelsans act for the benefit of Qelso. No member of your Sisterhood is welcome here. Short of violence, I cannot be more clear than that.”
Sending up a puff of dust with every step, the Rabbi trudged past tents and portable buildings toward the shuttle. He wiped sweat from his brow and came