Chapter 34

At Chapter House, Taraza reviews an entry endorsing Odrade’s report, then confronts her Council’s backlash. Bellonda presses to execute Odrade and reject any alignment with the Tleilaxu, arguing the ghola and Odrade now endanger the Sisterhood. Taraza counters that the Bene Gesserit cannot abandon the long-sought project or their Rakis leverage.

They debate spice dependence, the Tyrant’s Golden Path, and whether the Tleilaxu manipulate events through repeated Duncan gholas. Bellonda warns that alliance would enslave the Sisterhood worse than under Leto II; Taraza stresses there is no substitute for melange and that Odrade has created conditions to probe Tleilaxu aims.

Taraza weighs reports: the High Priest on Rakis is a Face Dancer mimic; new Face Dancers may become their victims in belief and identity; the Scattered Ones, including Honored Matres, return with secrecy, advanced artifacts, and predatory intent. Odrade’s stone message—echoing the Tyrant’s warnings—intensifies the stakes.

Reflecting on Bene Gesserit vulnerabilities—affection, melancholy, and the need for noble purpose—Taraza rebuilds her resolve. She rejects Bellonda’s demand to kill the ghola or sever ties with Rakis and the Tleilaxu immediately, yet acknowledges she may later need to act ruthlessly.

Restored to purpose, Taraza chooses decisive engagement: she will go to Rakis to confront the situation directly, accepting that she may have to do what Bellonda wants if events demand it.