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Writing - MSL
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a drabble a day keeps boredom awaydunealia atreidesgurney halleck
"Leaving so soon?"
Alia's voice held a dismal undertone as she was met with the sight of Gurney Halleck, the trusted warmaster of House Atreides and valuable figure in the newly established empire, preparing hastily for his long journey back home. Back to Caladan.
He turned to acknowledge her with a smile and the look of a man who hated emergencies but, alas, that was a task only someone close to the new Emperor could assume.
Ever the man of duty, he nodded. "Your brother's orders."
His loyalty to her family had remained remarkably intact through the years. He served her father tirelessly until the tragic end and now headed to the ancestral seat of House Atreides to regain control of it from Count Fenring on behalf of her brother, Paul. And Alia would accompany him.
"Take me with you," she muttered. It was far from a plea.
She'd been searching for a way out. The unforgiving sun of Arrakis was becoming overwhelming. Lady Jessica was devoted to the fulfillment of her megalomaniacal schemes. Paul had fallen victim to despotism, eliminating any voice that opposed his ascension without a thought. It was a dark and chaotic time for all inhabitants of the desert planet and, in the midst of it, Alia had her own battles to give.
Centuries worth of dead ancestors screamed inside her head and threatened to consume her - a dreadful inheritance that lay heavy on her shoulders. The Bene Gesserit kept their wary eye on her constantly, waiting for the first misstep that would brand her a threat to the Imperium, while her mother did little to help. The girl had to endure a cursed burden and also come to terms with a terrible truth about her parentage: that she was, in fact, a Harkonnen.
The man before her fumbled for a response, unaware of the ongoing war within her. He was about to refuse but she wore her determination in a way that left no room for objections on his part.
"Gurney," Alia confessed urgently, like a woman running out of time. "Caladan is my last hope for peace."
Alia's voice held a dismal undertone as she was met with the sight of Gurney Halleck, the trusted warmaster of House Atreides and valuable figure in the newly established empire, preparing hastily for his long journey back home. Back to Caladan.
He turned to acknowledge her with a smile and the look of a man who hated emergencies but, alas, that was a task only someone close to the new Emperor could assume.
Ever the man of duty, he nodded. "Your brother's orders."
His loyalty to her family had remained remarkably intact through the years. He served her father tirelessly until the tragic end and now headed to the ancestral seat of House Atreides to regain control of it from Count Fenring on behalf of her brother, Paul. And Alia would accompany him.
"Take me with you," she muttered. It was far from a plea.
She'd been searching for a way out. The unforgiving sun of Arrakis was becoming overwhelming. Lady Jessica was devoted to the fulfillment of her megalomaniacal schemes. Paul had fallen victim to despotism, eliminating any voice that opposed his ascension without a thought. It was a dark and chaotic time for all inhabitants of the desert planet and, in the midst of it, Alia had her own battles to give.
Centuries worth of dead ancestors screamed inside her head and threatened to consume her - a dreadful inheritance that lay heavy on her shoulders. The Bene Gesserit kept their wary eye on her constantly, waiting for the first misstep that would brand her a threat to the Imperium, while her mother did little to help. The girl had to endure a cursed burden and also come to terms with a terrible truth about her parentage: that she was, in fact, a Harkonnen.
The man before her fumbled for a response, unaware of the ongoing war within her. He was about to refuse but she wore her determination in a way that left no room for objections on his part.
"Gurney," Alia confessed urgently, like a woman running out of time. "Caladan is my last hope for peace."