Navigators of Dune

“This is a private facility, set aside for the use of nobles and visiting dignitaries,” said the young doctor as she bandaged Vor’s head. “The Princess authorized us to treat you—Vorian Atreides.” She said his name with a slight smile. “I’ve never had a true war hero as a patient before.”

Princess? Vor thought. A chill went down his back. “How do you know my name?”

The doctor raised her eyebrows, apparently amused. “Your young companion does not know how to keep a confidence.”

Vor looked over at Willem, who remained unconscious. “No, I suppose he doesn’t.” Had he also inadvertently tipped off the disguised Sisters who had been watching over Tula? Even the murderous Harkonnen girl hadn’t seemed to know she was being guarded.

Due to his life-extension treatment, Vor healed quickly, but Willem was much more seriously injured. He remained unconscious for hours and suffered from internal bleeding, along with several broken bones. Even after Vor felt recovered enough to leave, he stayed beside his companion. Vor slept restlessly on the portable bed, remaining on guard in case Tula sent anyone to finish the job. He suspected, though, that she had escaped from the planet by now, fleeing justice.

In the morning Vor’s injuries had dwindled to a lingering headache. His thoughts still spun from what had occurred in the dance hall. He knew he was a gifted fighter with exceptional reflexes, but those women watching Tula were experts in personal combat, trained by the Sisterhood. They were skilled enough that they could easily have killed both him and Willem. And they would have if the added force of guards hadn’t arrived when they did.

Young Willem had suffered a concussion, broken ribs, and far more serious internal injuries, yet he had the good fortune of being aided by his friend Harmona. Who was she?

The pretty brunette and her retinue had come into the medical center before dawn and gathered at Willem’s bedside as he awoke, groaning. When his eyes opened to see her there, he showed confusion, then smiled. He tried to sit up, but winced. He tried to take a deep breath and touched the tight bindings on his ribs, glanced at the medical apparatus connected to him. Harmona propped pillows behind his back and helped him to sit as comfortably as possible.

“Thanks for your help,” Vor said to her. “I am Vorian Atreides … but I think you know that already.” He wished his “nephew” weren’t so forthcoming with details, but he chastised himself for not being more alert.

“I am Harmona Bach, a member of the ruling Landsraad family on Chusuk. You needed help—and it was about time my bodyguards did something. They’re not usually needed here.” She gave him a cursory smile, but her attention remained on Willem.

The young man spoke to Vor, sounding sheepish, “I didn’t get a chance to introduce you. She’s a princess.”

Harmona showed embarrassment, but Vor could tell she was proud of her station. “It is mostly an honorary title. Chusuk is generous with such things.”

Two of Harmona’s large bodyguards stood outside the doorway, and Vor found their presence reassuring, even though—from what he had seen in the performance hall—the warrior Sisters could likely defeat them.

Harmona continued, “Willem told me the tragic story of his brother. I used some of my resources to help you find that woman, and I’ve been working with the authorities all night to try to intercept her. I fear that she managed to escape off-planet, though. Apparently, she had a lot of allies here.”

He and Willem had come to Chusuk to hunt down the Harkonnen woman who killed Orry. It had been naïve to think she would be an easy mark, and that mistake could have gotten them killed. At the very least, they had lost her trail.

And now the Sisterhood was forewarned. They would shelter Tula.

“Good thing you had extra security,” Vor said. “I certainly didn’t expect her to be protected like that. If not for your bodyguards, the battle might have gone far worse.”

With a grim expression, Harmona read Willem’s medical chart. “This looks bad enough.”

“He’ll recover. He’s strong,” Vor said. “But we shouldn’t stay here long. Either we have to go after Tula Harkonnen, or we need to move before they come after us.”

Harmona placed her hand on Willem’s shoulder, and the attending doctor came close, shaking her head. “That one isn’t going anywhere soon, especially not off-planet. He’ll need at least a few weeks to mend.”

Barely conscious, Willem tried to argue, but his insistence made him swoon from the pain. Harmona eased him back down to the pillow. “You are staying here—under my care—until you are considered fit enough.”

Unhappy, Willem said, “But we have to go. Tula’s getting away—”

“I can go,” Vor said. “Let me do some investigating.”

“Orry was my brother!”

Vor shook his head. “And the entire Atreides-Harkonnen feud is my fault.”