Navigators of Dune

Ninke’s nostrils flared at the affront, but the Sorceress ignored her. Deborah slumped to the ground, and as she got back to her feet she moved so smoothly she seemed to float on air. “Notice the liquid flow of muscles, just one constant motion. You must seek, and attain, utter relaxation, while your thoughts remain hyperalert. Your mind and musculature must be in complete synchronization. Try it yourself.”

Ninke attempted to repeat the movement, but without the finesse. Deborah laughed at the attempt, and when the Orthodox Sister got back to her feet, she struggled to contain her emotions, but failed. She was red-faced and angry. Valya knew this was what Deborah had been trying to accomplish.

“Try it again!” The Sorceress demonstrated once more by dropping to the ground, and then floating back up. “See how my muscles flow. Pay attention this time!”

Rather than making the attempt, Ninke lashed out with a sharp kick at the Sorceress, lightning fast, but Deborah was not there for the kick to land. Coming in from one side, she slashed a hard retaliatory blow onto Ninke’s forearm. All of the Sisters heard the sickening crack of bone. Rather than collapsing, Ninke struck out with her intact arm, but Deborah slammed into Ninke’s stomach, driving her backward. Falling, Ninke hit her broken arm on the ground and cried out in pain.

As the woman tried to struggle to her feet, Valya stood over her. The goading had worked. “No truly trained Sister would ever let herself be provoked into such rash responses. For your own good, stay down! If you get back on your feet, I cannot prevent Deborah from killing you. It was not wise to challenge her as you did. She was merely trying to demonstrate your weaknesses—for your benefit.”

Ninke glared up at Valya. “You intended for me to be injured. You arranged for it to happen—just as you found a way to eliminate Sister Esther-Cano. Will I be the next to die? Or do you think my wayward mind can be retrained?”

Valya was startled by the bold statement of facts. “I am your Mother Superior. Your fate is for me to decide.”

Ignoring the pain of her broken arm, Ninke struggled to a sitting position. She looked at the other trainees watching them. “It does not escape our notice, Mother Superior, that Orthodox Sisters are assigned the worst jobs. Two of our number have been forced to become unwilling birth mothers—is that meant to humiliate, or is it an integral part of your rumored breeding program?” She narrowed her gaze. “Where are the computers you use to keep track of the genetic records?”

“Dorotea embarrassed herself by making such ludicrous accusations,” Valya said, “and in doing so she nearly brought down the Sisterhood. Salvador’s thugs found no evidence to support her absurd claims, but still they killed many of us and drove us from Rossak—all because of wild, unproven claims. Watch yourself.”

“Just because they found nothing doesn’t mean the computers weren’t there. We never stopped believing they existed.”

“Believing something and proving it are two different things. Report to the clinic, Sister Ninke, and get medical treatment for your arm.”

Ninke backed away, favoring her injured arm but never taking her gaze away from the Sorceress, who stood poised and ready to kill at the Mother Superior’s command. Deborah’s blood was up, making her a dangerous weapon that needed to stand down and shut off.

As Ninke walked unsteadily toward the medical clinic, Valya called after her, “You will thank me one day for this, because it will make you stronger.”

* * *

LATE THAT AFTERNOON, Valya returned to the school complex to find Tula waiting for her at the private dining table. The watchers had delivered her safely from Chusuk, but Tula didn’t look pleased about it.

The young woman rose to her feet and bowed, as if Valya were a complete stranger. She showed no warmth at seeing her older sister, but this did not cause Valya to dampen her own enthusiasm. “I am delighted you’ve returned to us. Are you well? You look quite pale.”

“Tired from the trip, and from the trouble on Chusuk.” When Valya responded with a blank look, Tula added, “Two of the Atreides located me there, but they paid a price. You sent guards to watch over me, and they … took care of the threat.” She sounded resentful.

Valya drew in a quick breath. “Are the Atreides dead?”

Tula shook her head. “Injured only. Vorian and Willem.”

Valya caught her breath. “Vorian Atreides came after you himself? And you allowed him to live?”

“We were in a crowded place, with many witnesses, and security guards who got in our way. He and Willem were soundly defeated. That was enough.” Her voice hitched. “Don’t you think so too? Can’t we put an end to the killing, or must it continue for the rest of time? Is that what you want?”