Chapter 68 (Every Mentat knows there)

At dawn on Wallach IX, Dorotea rushes to Raquella’s quarters after an urgent summons. Inside, Raquella has Fielle disclose a prior Mentat projection: only a near-martyrdom could force the feuding factions to reconcile. Fielle admits withholding that Raquella would not need to die, drawing a stern admonition to reveal all details in the future.

Raquella then declares a shared succession, naming Dorotea and Valya co–Mother Superiors charged with merging the orthodox Salusan and Wallach IX schools. Relieved, Dorotea agrees to unity, while Valya hides shock. Raquella smiles, then privately transfers her full memories and plans to Dorotea, including the revelation of hidden computers on Wallach IX. Moments later, Raquella dies.

As Fielle flees in grief, Dorotea reels, newly burdened by Raquella’s vast knowledge and suspicious that Valya was denied the same legacy. The ancestral voices within Dorotea warn her as Valya stares coldly, rejecting shared power and declaring her intent to rule alone.

Valya unleashes an intensified Voice command, paralyzing Dorotea and forcing her to take Valya’s knife. Despite a desperate struggle to resist, Dorotea is compelled to thrust the blade into her own throat, collapsing across Raquella’s body. Valya frames the scene as suicide from grief and responsibility, and assumes sole control of the Sisterhood.