Fahd and Eduard (fwd)

[Imperatrix <azdeha@aelfhame.net>]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 5 Sep 2001 02:12:41 -0500 (CDT)
From: Imperatrix <azdeha@aelfhame.net>
To: SCohen2020@aol.com
Cc: slayerette@mindspring.com
Subject: Fahd and Eduard



The Saudir I Memorial Grand Library of the Imperium -- Imperial Palace
(Kaitain)

        The Grand Library of the Imperium, founded by Wallach I, is among
the 9 great marvels of the Known Universe, and rightly so. The Library is
a structure unto itself, barely contained by the Imperial Palace. Soft
cherry wood paneling adorns every surface. Every manner of filmbook,
holographic record, still recording and even rare bound parchment or the
occasional paper works are stored here- some dating back to pre-guild
authors. Five landings, each filled with stacks and stacks of volumes,
rise upward to the MURAL adorned ceiling. The combined works represent a
copy of nearly every volume ever published in the Known Universe since the
year 2903- when it became a crime to publish a work in the Imperium
without providing a copy to the Emperor's library, including several
unique one-of-a-kind works.
        The ground level landing is centered by a series of oak topped
desks and green-shaded reading lamps. The lights hanging from the vaulted
ceilings are specially designed to emanate light at the same wavelengths
as that given off by the Ixian sun, widely regarded to be the best color
for ease of reading and the prevention of eyestrain. These special
fixtures are actually incandescent antiques and it is well known that an
entire staff of 25 maintains the lighting fulltime. Even now, scholars
shift here and there, retrieving writings from every corner of the
Imperium for reflection and study. Soft silence fills the ears of visitors
to the library. A quieter place for reflection and intellectual pursuits
would be hard to find. Indeed, scholars have been known to vanish into the
library, eyes drawn ever upward, before wandering out days later, babbling
to themselves with a new revelation gleaned from some obscure collection
of works available nowhere else.



Fahahd walks in from Salon of Wallach I through the Carved Doors.


Fahahd has arrived.
Eduard stands on one of the landings, holding a thick book open beforehim.
He's very still.

Fahahd has the typically intent look of a scholar with his mind on a
thesis - that clerkish aura he has is even more apparent than usual,
jarring against the spare militarism of his uniform. He's got a pile of
books under his arm, which he sets about re-shelving.

Eduard calls dryly, "Why don't you leave that for the clerks, Lieutenant?"
His nose is still stuck in the book, though, and he hasn't looked down the
stairs yet.

Fahahd pauses, with the vaguely irritated look of a dachshund called by
its master in mid-dig. "Oh, yes, your highness," he replies, mildly.



Eduard closes the book with a muffled snap and comes down the stairs,
lazily, as if gliding. "Did you find what you sought?" he asks.

Fahahd has set the books down on the glossy tabletop nearest him, save for
one. "Yes, highness," he replies, for once forgetting his obeisance.

You paged Fahahd with 'What are the books?'.
From afar, Fahahd grins. Stuff on ancient music, and pre-guild history.
He's got a copy of Seven Pillars of Wisdom in his hand.

You say, "History is the most important subject there is, Fahahd.
Everything we do speaks to it. What has that book shown you?"

Fahahd glances down. "The importance of individual action and conviction,"
he returns, regarding the faded portrait on the cover, adding, "Supposedly
my line is named for him, or some kin of his,"

Eduard cuts a profile, and you can almost see the desert wind blowing
through his faded sandy blond hair. The stories about his time on Arrakis
long ago may be true. "Individual action. Then you subscribe to the Great
Man theory of history?" he probes.

Fahahd says, "Not entirely, no. But it does have its merits."


You say, "And limitations. A force like House Corrino proves that,
surely."

Fahahd nods. "Indeed, the course of post-guild history does as well."

You say, "One wonders why a Harkonnen guardsman studies this field..."

Fahahd pauses at that question. "Personal interest," he offers, after a
moment. "And to better understand what's around me."

Eduard smirks. "Don't be enigmatic, Fahahd, that's my profession."

Fahahd blinks up with that puppyish expression. "I though I was being
plain, your highness,"

Eduard nods. "Plain." Is all he says.

Fahahd nods, as close to regal as someone with his bearing and breeding
can ever get. Almost defiant, in fact.

Eduard glances at the younger man sidelong. "Tell me, Lieutenant. If you
don't fear me, a Prince of the Corrino, then who do you fear? Your Baron?
My son?
 His lapdog, the Chancellor?"


"I do fear you, your highness. And all of the above," he replies, frankly,
gaze level.


Eduard says, "A man told me once that force can take nothing from you that
you do not wish to give. Do you believe that, Fahahd?"


A faint frown appears as he considers that, before shaking his head. "No,
your highness,"

Eduard says sadly, "Then you are already defeated. It would so disappoint
my daughter to hear of your defeat."

Eduard says, "There are records in those books of people who would sooner
fall  on their own blades than give up one iota of themselves. They refuse
to give.  Even to my own ancestors. The Sardaukar understand the use of
force better  than anyone, but they understand other things so very
poorly. My son is a  Sardaukar."

Eduard adds this last brightly, as if he just thought of it.

Fahahd's face suddenly clears. "Ah," he murmurs. "No, I do
understand..perhaps better than I realized, highness." Hence a certain
promise extracted from the Baron's daughter.




Eduard offers a smile, patiently. "If you walk freely in these halls, you
must go armed." Odd. He himself bears no sword, dagger, kindjal or even
shield belt.

"Of course, your highness," Fahd agrees, solemnly.

Eduard asks suddenly: "Do you want to marry her, Fahahd?"

Fahahd looks as if Eduard had taken the opportunity to regurgitate a live,
whole lobster. "Your highness is pleased to jest with me," he retorts,
indignantly.

Eduard remonstrates, "That's not a a proper answer. It's promising, but
it's not proper."


Fahahd adds, "I cannot imagine anyone in the Imperium more unsuitable for
the Princess,"


Fahahd simply continues to look staggered. "Her highness has been very
kind to  me, I allow. But that does not mean that I'm so foolish to aspire
above my  place. And even if I did care for her in that fashion, it would
only make me  all the more aware of what any kind of liasion with someone
like me would do to her,"

Eduard says, "She is the heir to the Lion Throne, lieutenant."

Fahahd nods fervently. "Precisely."

Fahahd adds, "Someone like me would be a scandal, and nothing more."

Eduard says, "You must not wander far from her, Lieutenant." He's very
calm, but he almost seems to be asking urgently.

"I am the least of her servants, but I am not disloyal," the Harkonnen
returns, softly.

Eduard simply replies, "No." Then he turns to depart.

Fahahd is left, standing like a gawking tourist at his first sight of
Kaitain.



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