Idaho turned to see the effect of these words on the majordomo. The man's face appeared brittle with repressed emotion. Anger? No... something else.
I trust the God Emperor," Moneo said. "And, in the hope that it will teach both of you something, I am here to convey his wishes to you."
"His wishes!" Siona taunted. "Hear that, Duncan? The God Emperor's commands are now wishes."
"Speak your piece," Idaho said. "I know we have little choice in whatever it is."
"You always have a choice," Moneo said.
"Don't listen to him," Siona said. "He's full of tricks. They expect us to fall into each other's arms and breed more like my father. Your descendant, my father!"
Moneo's face went pale. He gripped the edge of his worktable with both hands and leaned forward. "You are both fools! But I will try to save you. In spite of yourselves, I will try to save you."
Idaho saw Moneo's cheeks tremble, the intensity of the man's stare, and felt oddly moved by this. "I'm not his stud, but I'll listen to you."
"Always a mistake," Siona said.
"Be still, woman," Idaho said.
She glared at the top of Idaho's head. "Don't address me that way or I'll wrap your neck around your ankles!"
Idaho stiffened and started to turn.
Moneo grimaced and waved a hand for Idaho to remain seated. "I caution you, Duncan, that she could probably do it. I am no match for her and you do recall your attempt at violence against me?"
Idaho inhaled a deep, quick breath, let it out slowly, then: "Say what you have to say."
Siona moved to perch at the end of Moneo's table and looked down at both of them. "Much better," she said. "Let him have his say, but don't listen."
Idaho pressed his lips tightly together.
Moneo released his grip on the edge of his desk. He sat back and looked from Idaho to Siona. "I have almost completed the arrangements for the God Emperor's wedding to Hwi Noree. During those festivities, I want you both out of the way."
Siona turned a questioning look on Moneo. "Your idea or his?"
"Mine!" Moneo returned his daughter's glare. "Have you no sense of honor and duty? Have you learned nothing from being with him?"
"Oh, I learned what you learned, father. And I gave my word, which I will keep."
"Then you'll command the Fish Speakers?"
"Whenever he trusts me with command. You know, father, he's ever so much more devious than you are."
"Where are you sending us?" Idaho asked.
"Provided we agree to go," Siona said.
"There is a small village of Museum Fremen at the edge of the Sareer," Moneo said. "It is called Tuono. The village is relatively pleasant. It's in the shadow of the Wall with the river just beyond the Wall. There is a well and the food is good."
Tuono? Idaho wondered. The name sounded familiar. "There was a Tuono Basin on the way to Sietch Tabr," he said.
"And the nights are long and there's no entertainment," Siona said.
Idaho shot a sharp glance at her. She returned it. "He wants us breeding and the Worm satisfied," she said. "He wants babies in my belly, new lives to warp and twist. I'll see him dead before I'll give him that!"
Idaho looked back at Moneo with a bemused expression. "And if we refuse to go?"
"I think you'll go," Moneo said.
Siona's lips twitched. "Duncan, have you even seen one of these little desert villages? No comforts, no..."
"I have seen Tabur Village," Idaho said.
"I'm sure that is a metropolis beside Tuono. Our God Emperor would not celebrate his nuptials in any cluster of mud hovels! Oh, no. Tuono will be mud hovels and no amenities, as close to the original Fremen as possible."
Idaho kept his attention on Moneo while speaking: "Fremen did not live in mud huts."
"Who cares where they conducted their cultish games?" she sneered.
Still looking at Moneo, Idaho said: "Real Fremen had only one cult, the cult of personal honesty. I worry more about honesty than about comfort."
"Don't expect comfort from me!" Siona snapped.
"I don't expect anything from you," Idaho said. "When would we leave for this Tuono, Moneo?"
"You're going?" she asked.
"I am considering an acceptance of your father's kindness," Idaho said.
"Kindness!" She looked from Idaho to Moneo.
"You would leave immediately," Moneo said. "I have detailed a detachment of Fish Speakers under Nayla to escort you and provide for you at Tuono."
"Nayla?" Siona asked. "Really? Will she stay with us there?"
"Until the day of the wedding."
Siona nodded slowly. "Then we accept."
"Accept for yourself!" Idaho snapped.
Siona smiled. "Sorry. May I formally request that the great
Duncan Idaho join me at this primitive garrison where he will keep his hands off my person?"
Idaho peered up at her from under his brows. "Have no fears about where I will put my hands." He looked at Moneo. "Are you being kind, Moneo? Is that why you're sending me away?"
"It's a question of trust," Siona said. "Who does he trust?"
"Will I be forced to go with your daughter?" Idaho insisted.
Siona stood. "We either accept or the troopers will bind us and carry us out in a most uncomfortable fashion. You can see it in his face."
"So I really have no choice," Idaho said.
"You have the choice anyone has," Siona said. "Die now or later."