Contents
Chapter 46
Overview
Duncan returns to Arrakeen and confirms Jessica is training Farad’n, unsettling Alia as her political position frays. Alia claims neutrality at Tabr, sends Ghanima and Irulan there, and covertly arranges Duncan’s removal by “accident.” Sensing the trap, Duncan departs alone by ’thopter toward Tabr, accepting Alia is lost to possession.
Summary
Aboard the Keep after arriving unannounced, Duncan Idaho delivers a precise mentat report to Alia: Jessica is training Farad’n on Salusa, where Corrino relatives swarm him. Alia reacts with anger and disbelief, while Duncan, grieving, recognizes that the real Alia is gone and that possession drives her.
Alia says Ghanima has been sent with Irulan to Stilgar at Sietch Tabr, calling it neutral ground amid growing unrest—raiders have breached qanats and sandtrout infest Kagga Basin. She tasks Duncan to go to Tabr to watch the talks, especially Irulan, while privately deciding he is no longer trustworthy and must be eliminated by a staged accident.
Feigning devotion, Duncan accepts the assignment. Alia orders her amazon Zia to escort him, but on the roofpad Duncan senses delay and unspoken instructions. Concluding he is being set up, he departs alone in the ’thopter before the escort arrives, overwhelmed by grief yet returning to mentat clarity.
As he flies toward Tabr, Duncan reflects on Alia’s failing control and the political stakes. He recognizes that Zia’s role was to facilitate his “accident,” and he resolves to reach Tabr to protect Ghanima and monitor Irulan, fully accepting that Alia is irretrievably lost to the Abomination.
Who Appears
- Duncan IdahoMentat-ghola who reports Jessica training Farad’n, senses Alia’s plot to kill him, and escapes alone by ’thopter toward Tabr.
- Alia AtreidesRegent showing possession-driven paranoia; sends Ghanima and Irulan to Tabr and arranges Duncan’s ‘accident.’
- Ghanima AtreidesOffstage; sent to Sietch Tabr for ‘neutral’ safety amid negotiations and unrest.
- Princess IrulanOffstage; accompanies Ghanima to Tabr; target of Alia’s request that Duncan watch her.
- ZiaAlia’s amazon designated to escort Duncan to Tabr; implied instrument for a staged ‘accident.’