Great Schools of Dune, #2
Mentats of Dune
by Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson
Contents
Chapter 6 (How do you develop a strategy against insanity)
Overview
Raquella visits Lampadas to reclaim ten Sister Mentats trained by Headmaster Gilbertus, observing their harsh final exam and noting Anna Corrino’s progress. The graduates, led by standout Fielle Vinona, are released to her. En route offworld, Raquella suffers a near-collapse but stabilizes herself through Reverend Mother control, underscoring the urgency of succession and the Sisterhood’s fragile resurgence.
Summary
Raquella arrives covertly at the Lampadas Mentat School, aided by VenHold’s discretion, and meets Headmaster Gilbertus Albans. He notes a recent student death and the school’s rigorous, risk-laden training, while Raquella reflects on rebuilding her shattered Sisterhood and the need for human excellence without machine dependence.
Gilbertus tours Raquella through a final examination chamber where students recite and project under extreme sensory distraction from dangerous swamp creatures. Raquella observes the composure of her trainees, especially Fielle Vinona, and notices Anna Corrino performing well despite limited social skills, signaling the program’s reach.
The next day, Gilbertus graduates the ten Sisterhood trainees, with Fielle distinguished among them. Raquella, mindful of her dwindling time and lack of a clear successor after recent schisms, plans to take the new Mentats to Wallach IX to strengthen the order’s foundations.
As they board a VenHold shuttle, Raquella suddenly weakens and nearly collapses. Fielle steadies her, but Raquella rejects outside treatment, turning inward to diagnose enzyme and hormonal imbalances. Drawing on Reverend Mother control and past survival, she rebalances her metabolism and stabilizes.
Refusing the Mentat physician’s help, Raquella insists on an on-time departure. The incident highlights both her determination and the precarious state of the Sisterhood’s leadership as she presses forward with urgently needed reinforcements.
Who Appears
- Raquella Berto-AnirulMother Superior; retrieves ten Sister Mentats, assesses Anna, survives a near collapse by rebalancing her body, driven to secure succession.
- Gilbertus AlbansHeadmaster; showcases rigorous Mentat exams, graduates ten Sisterhood trainees, supports Raquella’s rebuilding efforts.
- Fielle VinonaStandout Sister Mentat graduate; composed under extreme testing, assists Raquella during her health crisis.
- Anna CorrinoEmperor’s sister; capable Mentat trainee with poor social skills, observed performing well in the distraction gauntlet.
- Cioba VenportFacilitates Raquella’s unofficial visit and quiet extraction of the Sister Mentats from Lampadas.