ASCENDANCY (Feyd-Rautha)

CHAPTER EIGHT

In the absence of water, there will be absence of life.

"Candidates for housekeeper, my Lady," a Harkonnen guard announced, gesturing toward ten women lined up near the main entrance.

"Am I to choose one?" I asked. I was uneducated in the duties of high-ranking wives, having been parted from my mother for the bulk of my adolescence.

"Of course, my Lady," the guard replied.

"And what will her tasks be?" I asked quietly, not wanting the candidates to hear.

"She will tend to the wifely duties, so you may focus on more serious matters," he said, lowering his voice as well.

"Such as?" I asked, still unsure what was meant by "wifely duties".

"Maintaining order in your private quarters, assisting with your wardrobe and schedule, tending to your children, when necessary." 

I nodded thoughtfully, then turned to examine the women. Most were Harkonnen, though some looked to be indigenous. I walked closer to them, studying each woman before stepping to the next. Most were steeped in fear, eyes lowered, bodies stiff with dread. But the last woman had no trace of it. She stood still, calm, her face was unreadable. She was Fremen, the tan skin, black hair and staggering blue eyes gave her away. But what set her apart was what I sensed within her; rage, filled to the very brim of her soul.

"What is your name?" I asked.

"Zehish, my Lady," she answered, her accent thick. She masked her emotions well.

"And what are you doing here, Zehish?"

"I wish to serve you, my Lady."

Her untruthfulness wasn't hard to catch. Still, her aversion intrigued me. "I choose you. The rest may leave." The guard led the other candidates out of the palace. I turned to Zehish. "Walk with me." 

We strode through the main corridor. It was tall and wide; its stone walls carved with depictions of massive sandworms winding though dunes. Zehish's gaze lingered on them.

"Shai-Hulud. That is what you call them in your language, is it not?" I asked, gesturing toward the carvings.

"Yes. They are the agents of God," she replied. She wore the typical garb of her people; beige cloths draped upon each other and a scarf loosely wrapped around her head.

"Have you always lived in Arrakeen?" I asked, digging for the root of her rage.

"No. I lived in a smaller sietch for the better part of my life. I only came to the city after I had my son." She choked slightly at the mention of her child.

"Why are you not with him?"

"He is old enough to manage on his own," she replied. Though her hands were hidden within her sleeves, I knew she held fits so tight, her nails had likely pierced skin.

"I will ask you again, Zehish. Why are you here?" I looked at her intently as we walked, though she refused to meet my gaze.

"I already told you, my Lady. I wish to serve." Every muscle in her face was taut.

"There is no use lying to me, I can see straight through it." I looked at her for an answer, but nothing came. "Send word to my lady-in-waiting. Her name is Amma, you can find her in the workers' wing. Tell her to come to my chambers before the gathering this evening."

Zehish bowed her head and turned to go.

My room on Arrakis felt far more comforting than the one I had on Giedi Prime. As the wife of the planetary governor, I was housed in one of the palace's finer chambers. Like the rest of the structure, every surface was carved from sandstone. The walls were draped in beautiful tapestries, depicting planets, dunes, sandworms and prayers written in a script I could not yet read. I sat at my desk, attempting once more to write a letter for my mother.