Contents
Chapter 25
Overview
Jessica, hiding at Red Chasm, learns the twins have vanished from Tabr. Duncan Idaho arrives as Stilgar’s messenger, and Jessica chooses to go with him despite doubts.
In flight, Idaho restrains her and reveals he is taking her to Salusa Secundus to teach Farad’n, acting under The Preacher’s direction, not Alia’s—reframing alliances and the coming conflict.
Summary
Before dawn in a poor sietch beneath Red Chasm, Jessica awaits word from Stilgar while al-Fali’s Fedaykin hide her from Alia’s forces. News arrives that the twins are missing from Tabr; Jessica concludes Leto and Ghanima went into the desert on their own. She reflects on Alia’s tightening tyranny and the Fremen’s wavering loyalties.
Duncan Idaho appears, ostensibly sent by Stilgar to take Jessica to safety. Despite al-Fali’s suspicions—Idaho is Alia’s husband and a Tleilaxu ghola—Jessica invokes old Atreides bonds and decides to go with him. She orders al-Fali to bring the Fedaykin to Stilgar to help find the twins.
They reach an ornithopter hidden within the sietch. As Idaho lifts off, Jessica tests his intentions and warns of the danger of grasping power too tightly, recognizing Alia’s error. Idaho acknowledges the risk of civil war and his continued loyalty to House Atreides.
Idaho then binds Jessica with cocoon restraints and reveals the true destination: Salusa Secundus. He says he serves The Preacher’s design, not Alia’s, and that Jessica must teach Farad’n as she once taught Paul. Jessica, recalling Leto’s cryptic guidance about finding an “interesting student,” asks if The Preacher is Paul; Idaho admits he does not know.
Who Appears
- Lady JessicaHiding at Red Chasm; orders al-Fali to Stilgar; trusts Duncan, is restrained, and taken to teach Farad’n.
- Duncan IdahoArrives as messenger; abducts Jessica mid-flight to Salusa Secundus at The Preacher’s bidding, not Alia’s.
- Naib al-FaliShelters Jessica; reports twins missing; doubts Duncan but obeys Jessica and goes to Stilgar.
- AliaOffstage regent; seeks custody of the twins; her tyranny prompts resistance and Jessica’s flight.
- The PreacherMysterious figure directing Idaho; wants Jessica to train Farad’n; identity uncertain.
- StilgarSearching for the twins; his support guides Fedaykin; unaware of Jessica’s exact location.
- Farad’n CorrinoTarget student on Salusa Secundus; Jessica is taken to instruct him as part of a larger plot.
- Leto Atreides IIMissing from Tabr; likely self-exiled into the desert; earlier urged Jessica to obey future guidance.
- Ghanima AtreidesMissing with Leto; her insights tempered Jessica’s fear; implied to be executing a plan.