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

Part 47

Chapter 47

LADY MARGOT FENRING

Arrakis had changed greatly, with the planet obtaining its freedom and enormous wealth flowing into the planet, the city of Arrakeen was bustling with activity. People of all races from all parts of the galaxy thronged to the proverbial capital of the city, hoping to take part in its prosperity.

However, her own purpose for moving around the streets was different. The Emperor had only granted her a week, one week to locate and make terms with this so-called 'Preacher.' She had scoured through the texts and legends, as mentioned by Lady Jessica, and had an inkling about which tale she was talking about in her cryptic message.

It was the tale of Jacurutu, a folktale from ancient times in which a Fremen tribe slaughtered another tribe for their water, committing what was considered in Fremen tradition the greatest crime.

And so, the legends told that all of the Fremen tribe gathered and slaughtered the criminal tribe, and Jacurutu was the name of the sietch of that tribe, a thing often mentioned these days to scare young children to sleep.

Three days had passed already, and she had yet to gain a flicker of information about Jacurutu. Still, in her search, she had gained a rather curious piece of information about a man who scoured the streets of Arrakeen late into the night, preaching or rather taunting those in the city as vile and ignorant curs for giving up on the true 'Messiah'.

He spoke against the Emperor. He spoke of Freedom, of lush green fields, and of the promised Jihaad, calling the Emperor a false Prophet. And yet none paid him any heed, the Emperor too beloved on Arrakis, and this recreant preacher was met only with disdain and disinterest.

And so, as the skis darkened, and the black cloak of darkness shrouded the city, she left the castle, taking to the streets herself as she tried to make contact with this man, believing him to be the person Lady Jessica had spoken of.

And as she moved through the streets, she heard it first.

"You have been misled. The promised one still awaits, waiting for you to reignite your belief," the voice said into the street as her steps hastened. She turned towards the street from where the voice was coming from.

"And he shall grant you lush green fields overflowing with fruits, and seeds, vegetables and flowers thought impossible to bloom in this sand," the voice continued cracking, as she saw a hunched figure traversing through the streets, his hunched figure covered by a decrepit cloak, rusted by sand and time.

"He shall not give you this water to drink but shall give you rivers and streams, of the sweetest waters and wines, and beautiful virgin wives to satiate your hunger. But you must rise up against this false pretender and return to the ways of the true savior," he added even, as none paid him any heed, their eyes moving past him as if he did not even exist. Yet, his voice continued to spread all around, making many scrunch up their noses at his words.

He called the Emperor a pretender and incited the people to rise up against him for the promise of a greater reward. Speaking of how their struggle will be supported by the 'true savior.'

And yet the guards were helpless against him, she had seen them miss him, walk past him even as they tried to contain him, and yet their eyes would refuse to see him, even as he walked right past them.

She watched him traverse the streets all night, following him even as none in the city paid him any heed. As he approached the city gates, she knew that this was her moment. And as she stepped forward, and opened her mouth, she was interrupted beforehand.