Great Schools of Dune, #2
Mentats of Dune
by Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson
Contents
Chapter 7 (A leader must use great care in selecting)
Overview
Prince Roderick counsels Emperor Salvador on the destabilizing VenHold–Butlerian conflict, urging competent leadership and a Mentat adviser. During court audiences, Reverend Mother Dorotea exposes a House Péle tax fraud. Salvador arrests mining agent Blanton Davido, who dies under Scalpel interrogation, yielding evidence. Salvador then pressures Empress Tabrina, demanding reparations from her family.
Summary
Roderick reflects on Emperor Salvador’s weaknesses, especially patronage-driven military appointments exemplified by the inept General Saxby. Despite opportunities to usurp the throne, Roderick remains loyal, choosing to guide his brother and preserve Imperial stability.
In a pre-audience briefing, Roderick outlines how the VenHold–Butlerian feud harms commerce and taxes. He warns of unsafe rival foldspace lines and VenHold’s embargo against Butlerian and even “neutral” worlds. Salvador, addicted to spice, alternately frets and dismisses risks, but agrees the Imperium lacks access to Navigator secrets. Prodded by Roderick, he decides to acquire a Mentat adviser.
During audiences, Reverend Mother Dorotea truth-reads petitioners. Mining executive Blanton Davido from House Péle presents a jewel and seeks approval to expand operations. Dorotea detects concealed fraud—underreported production to avoid taxes—implicating Lord Péle. Ignoring Roderick’s caution to investigate discreetly, Salvador publicly confronts Davido and orders his arrest.
By morning, Grand Inquisitor Quemada’s Scalpel interrogation yields enough confirmation of the scheme, though Davido dies under questioning. Confronted with the transcript, Empress Tabrina protests, accusing Salvador of fabricating charges to seize Péle assets. Roderick frames the matter as treason against Imperial honor, while Salvador demands substantial reparations.
When Tabrina insists on proof, Salvador threatens to summon and interrogate each Péle family member. The chapter ends with the Emperor leveraging the confession and fear of the Scalpel to compel payment, signaling harsher rule and deepening rifts within the court.
Who Appears
- Prince Roderick CorrinoLoyal adviser; manages policy amid VenHold–Butlerian tensions, urges competent appointees, and pushes Salvador to hire a Mentat.
- Emperor Salvador CorrinoAddicted to spice; tolerates patronage, confronts Péle tax fraud, orders arrest, accepts Scalpel results, and demands reparations.
- Reverend Mother DoroteaTruth-reads petitioners at court; detects House Péle’s systematic underreporting, prompting Salvador’s decisive action.
- Blanton DavidoHouse Péle mining executive; presents a jewel and expansion request, exposed for tax fraud, dies under interrogation.
- Empress TabrinaChallenges the accusations against her house; alarmed by Davido’s death and Salvador’s threat of wider interrogations.
- Grand Inquisitor QuemadaLeads Scalpel interrogations; extracts incriminating testimony from Davido, who dies during questioning.