His Lost Fremen

Ch.6 The Man

I anxiously followed Paul as we made our way to the great hall for a meeting. Once we entered we were greeted by soldiers and Gurney. "Your first strategy meeting. Paul Atreides and Nani, being completely aware of their surroundings. We're able to locate the seeker by sound, then catch the hunter's seeker—in their bare hands; like a hero of old." Gurney announced giving everyone a show as we quickly made our way to our seats. "Thanks for the humiliation, old man," Paul whispered earning a laugh from Gurney. "Gotta keep an eye on you." He replied smiling at Paul.

We sat down when Leto walked in forcing everyone to stand at attention. Leto made his way around the room patting Paul's and I's backs before making his way to his seat. "Let's get started, Thufir operations?" Hawat nodded beginning his report. "I secured a copy of the Harkonnens account books. The Harkonnens were taking 10 billion Solaris out of here every year." He reported even when others whispered.

"They shall suck of the abundance of the seas, and the treasure hid in the sand," Gurney mumbled causing Paul to smile. I sighed and leaned back waiting for other valuable information. "We won't see profits like that for a while. Not with the equipment they left us." He announced worriedly.

"How bad is it?" Leto asked swiftly making Hawat sigh. "I can show you my Lord." Leto nodded and off we were to see the damage we faced. "When we get outside keep up you two, that's orders," Leto told us before we walked out of the room. We nodded in agreement and followed behind him.

Once making it outside we stood in front of big cylinders. "These are spice silos. We're meant to fill every crate." I shook my head in disbelief as Hawat explained the expectations of House Atreides. "All of them?" Paul asked sharing the same expression I have. "Every 25 standard days, Harkonnen sabotage slows us down." Paul shrugged showing curiosity on his face. "But who's meant to arbitrate? Isn't there a Judge of the change to oversee the transition?" Paul asked for what seemed in a long time a brilliant question.

"Who did the Emperor appoint?" Gurney asked sounding more curious than ever. "Dr. Liet Kynes, Imperial ecologist. Been here 20 years, Eccentric from what I'm told." Hawat informed us. "I want to see these harvesting fields myself," Leto announces shooting everyone. Paul looked at his father more confused than scared. "I wouldn't recommend it, my lord." I nodded in agreement not needing to be in the field.

"Have this Judge of the change accompany us, A meeting long overdue, And we'll get a bit of imperial protection," Leto suggested taking a look to his side at Gurney.

"A hostage, I love it." I rolled my eyes at Gurney's foolish smile and words. "He's here, my lord," Hawat announced to us as we looked to the sky to see two crafts flying through the sky looking to land. We then made our way to the landing crafts when we saw our oldest friend, Duncan, We both took off into a full run. "Duncan!" Paul yelled causing Duncan to take off his mask and open his arms ready to catch us. I laughed as we both threw ourselves at him ready for a fall that never happened.

"Ahh! These two!" He picked us up giving us a huge hug before placing us both down gracefully. He smiled and moved my hair behind my ear, turning to Paul to pat him on the back before looking us up and down. "I swear you're both getting taller." We laughed and hugged him again, loving that our friend was back home with us.

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"For four weeks, I lived with the Fremen. Hidden in the desert, in a community called a sietch. Stilgar, the leader of the sietch, has come with me to meet you sire." Duncan explained to us. "This sietch, how is it hidden?" Leto asked. "It's underground, Arrakis is filled with caverns." We nodded trying to wrap our heads around this new piece of information. "How big was the place?" Paul asked. "I'd say 10,000 people and there are hundreds of sietches." I smiled hearing how many people are like me out there still alive and well. "Millions of Fremen, you were right," Leto said to Hawat with a smile on his face. "Harkonnens estimate was 50,000 on the whole planet." I smiled at the stupidity of the Harkonnens.

"Fremen watched me search for them for days, I never saw them. Finally, they sent a warrior out to kill me. And I gotta tell you, I have never come too close to dying. There's no finer fighter in the Imperium, they fight like demons." Duncan said Turning his head in my direction, causing me to swallow a shiver I had. "Desert power, Duncan well done." I smiled hearing his praise easing my head in pride for the guy who had a hand in raising me. "Thank you, my lord," Duncan said and was shortly interrupted by a guard.

"Their leader has a knife he won't surrender, sire." Without telling me twice I got in full alert and stood slightly in front of Paul. "It's a crysknife, it's sacred to his people," Duncan explained easing Leto. "Let him pass." The guard walks out to get the man. Leto turns around walking to position but not before looking at me and nodding. Us having the same mindset in this situation. Protect Paul at all given costs.

The doors then swing open letting the man walk through in full stride head held high. "Stop there, HEY—HEY." Not listening to a word Gurney was barking at him he kept walking. I ready to attack him began to leap forward when Leto waved me to wait. He finally came to a stop and took off his hood. "Stilgar welcome. Sir, I respect the personal dignity of any man that respects mine." Leto says trying to ease the man who had a point to prove.

He stood there looking around the room breathing in heavily before spitting out on the table Gurney and I were ready to Pounce. "Hold, Thank you Stilgar for the gift of your body's moisture. We accept it in the spirit in which it was given." Duncan announced then spitting on the table followed by Leto. "I'm glad you've come. I believe your people and mine have much to offer one another." Leto said as he looked at this man who clearly didn't want to hear anything we were willing to tell him.

But the worst part is a part of me didn't want to hear it either...

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