DUNE-A False Haderach (OC X Shishakli) (OC x Alia)

Part 36

Chapter 26

CHANI KYNES

Chani Kynes stood on the palace's roof, armed with a laser sniper, peering down at the retinue that had come to negotiate on behalf of the Imperium, led by none other than Princess Irulan, Inzal's sister.

Yet she was not here to harm her, and why would they. She was Inzal's sister, his twin. No, she was the last contingency, being the sharpest shot among the Fremen, she was stationed their as the last line of defence for the Princess.

"I still do not think that all this is necessary," she said as the ship began to descend. She was not the only one stationed here; Paul, who had accompanied her a lot over the last month, sat beside her.

They had gotten much closer in this time, with her being impressed by the Atreides heir and his ability to adapt to their ways. He was a good leader, much like Inzal. Yet she had noticed him becoming quieter by the day, quieter and more pensive, yet she had not asked him why.

"It is," Paul said as the ship came to a halt and a ramp descended down, and they caught the first glimpse of the retinue and immediately her eyes were drawn to the Princess, and she was as Paul had told her.

Of a sharp, small, regal face adorned with shining blonde golden hair that shimmered in the Sun, she was the embodiment of poise and sophistication as she descended down along with the herald.

"But she is the Emperor's daughter. Why would he wish to harm her?" she questioned. She saw Paul look at the retinue with that pensive gaze.

"Because, in a way, she is a threat to him as well, and in this game of Thrones, you either win, or you die," and she frowned at those last ominous.

"Who said that?" she asked, and he frowned as his gaze narrowed.

"Inzal will," he whispered, and she frowned.

"Will?" she asked, surprised when he suddenly narrowed his eyes.

"He was right. Focus on the herald. He is the mole," he said, and she nodded and turned and looked through the scope as she focused on the herald and saw his face dissolve.

"What is that?" she asked.

"He is a face dancer, an assassin from the Bene Tleilaxu. They are the most dangerous assassins in all of the Imperium," he told her, and she was taken aback.

"Only the Emperor could have sent one here," he said, and she was devastated that a father could do this to their own child.

"He is moving!" he shouted, and she saw him vanish in the blink of an eye.

"The Prince..." and then she saw him jump towards the Princess, his blade slashing at her neck, when suddenly it was intercepted by Inzal, who had been able to respond to that inhuman speed.

0000

INZAL KAZAB CORRINO

Inzal parried the face dancer's slash aimed at Irulan's neck, forcing himself in between herself and the faceless assassin.

"Get back!" he shouted to his own men and to the Princess as he parried another strike before suddenly the face dancer spun in the air and sent a dagger flying towards Princess. Inzal jumped back and parried it with his own blade. He slid back until he was in front of Irulan and her guards, who stood on the edge of the bridge.

"You truly are impressive," the face dancer began as Inzal stared him in the face.

"None of my victims have ever lasted for more than a few seconds against me. You are the first one who has held me back for as long as you have," he complimented him.