Paul and Jessica are surrounded in the desert basin by a Fremen troop. Jessica recognizes their language as Chakobsa and quickly understands that the attackers are organized, armed, and debating whether Paul and Jessica are the fugitives they were told to seek.

The troop leader identifies himself as Stilgar. Paul remembers Stilgar from Duke Leto’s council and mentions Duncan Idaho, but Stilgar is cautious. Stilgar sees value in Paul because Paul crossed worm territory bravely, yet Fremen law makes Jessica a liability: an untrained outsider could endanger the tribe, so Stilgar intends to accept Paul and take Jessica’s water.

Jessica prevents that outcome by feigning weakness and then using Bene Gesserit combat skills to overpower Stilgar. At the same time, Paul slips into the rocks, disarms Jamis, and takes a projectile weapon. With Stilgar held helpless, Jessica forces the Fremen to stand down and turns the encounter into a negotiation.

Stilgar realizes Jessica’s “weirding” fighting ability could be invaluable because it cannot be detected like a weapon. Jessica agrees to teach the Fremen her way of battle in exchange for sanctuary for both herself and Paul. When Jessica reveals that she is Bene Gesserit and invokes elements of the Fremen legend, Stilgar and his people become more willing to believe that Paul and Jessica may be part of the prophecy.

Paul then meets Chani, daughter of Liet, who had been tracking him from above. Paul recognizes her as the girl from his prescient visions, though the actual meeting differs from what he expected. Stilgar gives Paul and Jessica kerchiefs marking them as belonging to his sietch, assigns Chani and Jamis to watch over Paul, and orders the troop to move before dawn.

The Fremen depart in disciplined formation toward Cave of the Ridges and ultimately Sietch Tabr, erasing their tracks as they go. Jessica observes their military order, stealth, and cultural unity, realizing that the Fremen may be an extraordinary force for an exiled Duke’s heir.