Chapter 26
"Govern a family as you would cook a small fish - very gently."
Pre Butleran Chinese Proverb
Dax opened the door in response to the knock to find Amasso standing there. "Mas!" he used the childhood nickname.
"May I come in?" he asked.
"Sure." He stood aside to allow his brother to enter. "You OK?"
"The fight has been running through my mind like a recording." he said.
"I know. What a mess." Dax agreed. "What do you think the Dad will do?"
Amasso shrugged. "He was REALLY angry. After he's cooled down I think we'll be lucky to get a punitive letter of reprimand, one month's forfeiture of pay and a bill for damages to the room. That would be my recommendation if asked. We should consider ourselves damn lucky if there's no Article 32, Sword Master's mast or demotion."
"I know, I know." Dax groaned. "Amasso, do you want Alexi?"
"Me? No." Amasso confessed.
Dax was shocked. "Then what… why?"
Amasso shrugged his shoulders. "It's the principal little brother. You can't waltz in and just announce that 'Oh by the way I'm claiming the most beautiful woman in the Court' its just not done. Besides... it was a good fight, wasn't it."
Dax grinned. "One of our best."
"Mad at me?" Amasso grinned back.
"Never for long." Dax confessed.
~*~*~*~*~
Baron Vladimir Harkonnen examined the documents. He had commissioned the forgeries and yet he could not tell the difference. He dropped the report on the table. "Excellent!"
The report fell face up. It read:
Transplanetorial Threats From the Planet Arakkis: Crying Wolf or Crying Havoc? Under the leadership of House Atredies
"Excellent!" The Baron repeated and subtly signaled to Piter. "Then to the author. You wish now to be paid, is that right?"
"This was the agreement."
Vlad smiled and said "Piter, pay the man!"
Piter moved in on the academic the needle glistening in his hand for a split second before he buried it in the man's back.
A silent gasp escaped the victim, and then he fell unconscious.
"Is he alive, Piter?"
"Yes, my Baron."
"Then take him away, Piter." The Baron ordered with much scorn.
Piter signaled to the slaves who came in to take the man on a lengthy visit at the Baron's expense... in his private dungeons.
As he watched idly he informed his Mentat. "It would have been a shame to lose a great artist like that. Never know when you might need him again."
"Yes, M'Lord." Piter replied, failing to point out that he was the one who had recommended the dungeon over the knife. Death had been the Baron's first choice.
~*~*~*~*~
Arista groaned. The weight of the Throne felt extra heavy recently, the latest between Amasso and Dax wasn't helping either.
She stood at a window with a document in her hand and observed the water sellers going by. She actually envied them. Their one concern was selling water. She on the other hand had crisis after crisis to deal with. She read again the latest that had cropped up. A communiqué from Planet Kaitan had arrived to inform her that due to the attack on the Sardaukar Headquarters there was need to enhance the security of Kaitian. As such House Remus of Kaitian had responded by passing the Bio Terrorism Preparedness and Response Act, which had already been signed into law.
~*~*~*~*~
Duncan stood on one of the parapet walls. It was his favourite spot as it faced the setting sun. Inevitability he ended up there when his mind was troubled. This evening he was distressed.
He had finally to face the fact that Amasso had relapsed. He had received the reports but had refused to accept the fact. After all that they had been through as a father he had not wanted to believe. Even when charges had been laid against Amasso, Duncan had held fast. He had been vindicated when Amasso had been acquitted. But not anymore, now there was no escaping that actuality. The unreasonable outburst had been the proof.
Years before when times were more tranquil he had had the luxury of being more father to his troubled teen than Master Swordsman/Commander in Chief to the Fedeykin.
He looked at the setting sun but never saw it as he relived the moment when he and Amasso had gone into the hills to face his demon and through the effort they had become closer.
EIGHT YEARS EARLIER
SAHARA MESA - ARAKKIS
Duncan had warned his sixteen-year-old son that he was about face the bowel of hell, the bottom of the pit as it were. That this was the end of the road. If he did not stop his alcohol consumption he'd become mentally ill or die a slow, painful death.
Amasso didn't need to be told twice. Faced with his friend's recent death from alcohol poisoning, he was ready to change. It had been the wake up call that he had required.
Duncan had not exaggerated the fact that the next two months would make or break Amasso. He'd either walk out of the Mesa under his own steam or die with the effort. By the time Duncan got him up into the mountains and settled into a cave the battle was already raging. Amasso had been drinking on and off for over six years and constantly for the last three. His dependence on the liquid was complete and without the crutch he was collapsing. He was in no condition to appreciate the result of three hundred and fifty million years of tireless erosion that had produced the dramatic rock formations of canyons, buttes and spires that towered at almost one thousand feet above desert level. He was barely aware of the world around him.
Amasso had entered what was called the stabilization period of recovery where he was detoxifying brought on by the abstinence. As painful as it was Duncan drove his son. "You need to eat Mas."
He shook his head, licked his lips. "I need a drink, Dad!"
"Why?!" His heart went out to him. "Think Amasso focus why do you need that drink? Go past the need of your body. Why do you need that prop?"
The bead of sweat on his brow intensified. He swallowed hard. "I need it!"
"WHY, AMASSO?!"
"BECAUSE!"
"NOT GOOD ENOUGH!" He roared then more gently "Not good enough, son. Now why do you need that drink?"
"I just do." He sobbed. The crying turned into a wail "You prefer Dax!"
"If I did I wouldn't be here. I am here for you son and I'm not leaving. When I do walk out you will march out with me. Come you need to eat." And so it continued with Duncan holding up a mirror to Amasso's soul and he having to face it.
+ + +
The day finally came that he was able to keep food down. He'd been vomiting everything that he had swallowed.
"There has to be a better way." Amasso groaned.
"You think?" Duncan asked. "That was only the first hurdle."
Amasso was sitting on the floor of the cave with his back against the wall. "Dad?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm an alcoholic." he confessed simply.
"Yes, you are." Came his just as simple response.
"Thanks for bringing me here."
"You are welcome. I love you, Mas, you are my son and I'd do it all again." He assured the teen.
"I think I can do this."
"I know you can."
+ + +
Duncan returned from gathering firewood and knew something was wrong. Amasso was out cold on the cave floor.
He kneeled by his side "Mas?" He used the childhood nickname. "Mas!!!"
He groaned as the whiff of alcohol came though. Duncan groaned then checked his bag. "Damn it!!" He cursed. He'd brought rubbing alcohol as part of the first aid kit and Amasso had drunk it!
He held his son close and rocked him. "Oh, Mas!" He sighed "How bad you were I didn't realize!"
They had to start all over again.
+ + +
Over the weeks the two had struggled with Amasso's demons and he was finally human enough to be aware of the grandeur that surrounded them. This day the two were at Cathedral Rock.
"Makes you think doesn't it." Amasso said as he watched the works of God.
"About?"
"That there is life out there. That for every action there is a reaction that I must accept that from this time forward I can no longer drink... That sort of stuff."
"Profound."
"Well when faced with the handiwork of God." He waived her hand outward at the desert. "That tends to happen."
"I'm proud of you, Son." His father praised him.
He smiled with embarrassment. "I realized what you have been saying is true. I heard you but it really hit home when I drank the rubbing alcohol. The consequences of my continued drinking will become more severe until I accepted that my drinking is not normal. After that episode I couldn't hide anymore."
"That's my boy. Duncan put his arm around him and they sat still enjoying the simple pleasure of being together.
+ + +
The drying out was almost complete. Duncan had one more item on his agenda. As a true Swords Master he tackled it head on. "Come sit with me, Son."
"Sure what's up?"
"We'll be leaving soon." He informed Amasso.
"Already? We're done?" he was shocked.
"It's been almost two months and you'll never be done." He corrected.
"I know." He sighed.
"What are your plans, Mas?" He asked.
The question took him by surprise. "Plans?"
"Yes." He grinned. "Now that your be all and end all is no longer in a bottle you will be seventeen soon what are you going to do with the rest of your life?"
"Weeel." He paused.
"Well?" He prompted.
"I once had a dream to join the Fedaykin, together with Dax."
"The Military is a good idea I'm in it and I love it. You should pull that idea out of the cobwebs and seriously consider it."
Amasso shrugged his shoulders.
"If you want I can get you into a program." Duncan offered.
"No!" came the instant reply. "If I do this I do it as Amasso and not the son of anyone!"
"OK!" Duncan placed his hands up in surrender. "So be it!"
~*~*~*~*~
The boy had been as good as his word. He'd signed up and done all the training rising to the rank of Major on his own merit.
Then he'd met Shar'Leem and fallen in love. They had been like two peas in a pod. Inseparable. Then Shar'Leem had been sent on a mission only to return in a body bag. Amasso had taken it badly and he'd returned to the bottle for comfort. Duncan suspected that had she lived Shar'Leem would have become a member of the family.
But she hadn't and here they all were - back where they started.
What was a man to do? Should he take him up to dry out again? Amasso was no longer a child; he had to make his own decisions.
"DAMN IT!" Duncan said out loud. He had family concerns and affairs of state and both were all tugging at him, now this! He struggled with his need to be a good father and allow Amasso to make his own decisions, but Amaso was an Atreides and the second heir. At this crucial time, allowing him the luxury of being an alcoholic just wasn't possible. Duncan needed to take action.
"Damn it." He repeated then turned to descend to his quarters.
"Govern a family as you would cook a small fish - very gently."
Pre Butleran Chinese Proverb
Dax opened the door in response to the knock to find Amasso standing there. "Mas!" he used the childhood nickname.
"May I come in?" he asked.
"Sure." He stood aside to allow his brother to enter. "You OK?"
"The fight has been running through my mind like a recording." he said.
"I know. What a mess." Dax agreed. "What do you think the Dad will do?"
Amasso shrugged. "He was REALLY angry. After he's cooled down I think we'll be lucky to get a punitive letter of reprimand, one month's forfeiture of pay and a bill for damages to the room. That would be my recommendation if asked. We should consider ourselves damn lucky if there's no Article 32, Sword Master's mast or demotion."
"I know, I know." Dax groaned. "Amasso, do you want Alexi?"
"Me? No." Amasso confessed.
Dax was shocked. "Then what… why?"
Amasso shrugged his shoulders. "It's the principal little brother. You can't waltz in and just announce that 'Oh by the way I'm claiming the most beautiful woman in the Court' its just not done. Besides... it was a good fight, wasn't it."
Dax grinned. "One of our best."
"Mad at me?" Amasso grinned back.
"Never for long." Dax confessed.
~*~*~*~*~
Baron Vladimir Harkonnen examined the documents. He had commissioned the forgeries and yet he could not tell the difference. He dropped the report on the table. "Excellent!"
The report fell face up. It read:
Transplanetorial Threats From the Planet Arakkis: Crying Wolf or Crying Havoc? Under the leadership of House Atredies
"Excellent!" The Baron repeated and subtly signaled to Piter. "Then to the author. You wish now to be paid, is that right?"
"This was the agreement."
Vlad smiled and said "Piter, pay the man!"
Piter moved in on the academic the needle glistening in his hand for a split second before he buried it in the man's back.
A silent gasp escaped the victim, and then he fell unconscious.
"Is he alive, Piter?"
"Yes, my Baron."
"Then take him away, Piter." The Baron ordered with much scorn.
Piter signaled to the slaves who came in to take the man on a lengthy visit at the Baron's expense... in his private dungeons.
As he watched idly he informed his Mentat. "It would have been a shame to lose a great artist like that. Never know when you might need him again."
"Yes, M'Lord." Piter replied, failing to point out that he was the one who had recommended the dungeon over the knife. Death had been the Baron's first choice.
~*~*~*~*~
Arista groaned. The weight of the Throne felt extra heavy recently, the latest between Amasso and Dax wasn't helping either.
She stood at a window with a document in her hand and observed the water sellers going by. She actually envied them. Their one concern was selling water. She on the other hand had crisis after crisis to deal with. She read again the latest that had cropped up. A communiqué from Planet Kaitan had arrived to inform her that due to the attack on the Sardaukar Headquarters there was need to enhance the security of Kaitian. As such House Remus of Kaitian had responded by passing the Bio Terrorism Preparedness and Response Act, which had already been signed into law.
~*~*~*~*~
Duncan stood on one of the parapet walls. It was his favourite spot as it faced the setting sun. Inevitability he ended up there when his mind was troubled. This evening he was distressed.
He had finally to face the fact that Amasso had relapsed. He had received the reports but had refused to accept the fact. After all that they had been through as a father he had not wanted to believe. Even when charges had been laid against Amasso, Duncan had held fast. He had been vindicated when Amasso had been acquitted. But not anymore, now there was no escaping that actuality. The unreasonable outburst had been the proof.
Years before when times were more tranquil he had had the luxury of being more father to his troubled teen than Master Swordsman/Commander in Chief to the Fedeykin.
He looked at the setting sun but never saw it as he relived the moment when he and Amasso had gone into the hills to face his demon and through the effort they had become closer.
EIGHT YEARS EARLIER
SAHARA MESA - ARAKKIS
Duncan had warned his sixteen-year-old son that he was about face the bowel of hell, the bottom of the pit as it were. That this was the end of the road. If he did not stop his alcohol consumption he'd become mentally ill or die a slow, painful death.
Amasso didn't need to be told twice. Faced with his friend's recent death from alcohol poisoning, he was ready to change. It had been the wake up call that he had required.
Duncan had not exaggerated the fact that the next two months would make or break Amasso. He'd either walk out of the Mesa under his own steam or die with the effort. By the time Duncan got him up into the mountains and settled into a cave the battle was already raging. Amasso had been drinking on and off for over six years and constantly for the last three. His dependence on the liquid was complete and without the crutch he was collapsing. He was in no condition to appreciate the result of three hundred and fifty million years of tireless erosion that had produced the dramatic rock formations of canyons, buttes and spires that towered at almost one thousand feet above desert level. He was barely aware of the world around him.
Amasso had entered what was called the stabilization period of recovery where he was detoxifying brought on by the abstinence. As painful as it was Duncan drove his son. "You need to eat Mas."
He shook his head, licked his lips. "I need a drink, Dad!"
"Why?!" His heart went out to him. "Think Amasso focus why do you need that drink? Go past the need of your body. Why do you need that prop?"
The bead of sweat on his brow intensified. He swallowed hard. "I need it!"
"WHY, AMASSO?!"
"BECAUSE!"
"NOT GOOD ENOUGH!" He roared then more gently "Not good enough, son. Now why do you need that drink?"
"I just do." He sobbed. The crying turned into a wail "You prefer Dax!"
"If I did I wouldn't be here. I am here for you son and I'm not leaving. When I do walk out you will march out with me. Come you need to eat." And so it continued with Duncan holding up a mirror to Amasso's soul and he having to face it.
+ + +
The day finally came that he was able to keep food down. He'd been vomiting everything that he had swallowed.
"There has to be a better way." Amasso groaned.
"You think?" Duncan asked. "That was only the first hurdle."
Amasso was sitting on the floor of the cave with his back against the wall. "Dad?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm an alcoholic." he confessed simply.
"Yes, you are." Came his just as simple response.
"Thanks for bringing me here."
"You are welcome. I love you, Mas, you are my son and I'd do it all again." He assured the teen.
"I think I can do this."
"I know you can."
+ + +
Duncan returned from gathering firewood and knew something was wrong. Amasso was out cold on the cave floor.
He kneeled by his side "Mas?" He used the childhood nickname. "Mas!!!"
He groaned as the whiff of alcohol came though. Duncan groaned then checked his bag. "Damn it!!" He cursed. He'd brought rubbing alcohol as part of the first aid kit and Amasso had drunk it!
He held his son close and rocked him. "Oh, Mas!" He sighed "How bad you were I didn't realize!"
They had to start all over again.
+ + +
Over the weeks the two had struggled with Amasso's demons and he was finally human enough to be aware of the grandeur that surrounded them. This day the two were at Cathedral Rock.
"Makes you think doesn't it." Amasso said as he watched the works of God.
"About?"
"That there is life out there. That for every action there is a reaction that I must accept that from this time forward I can no longer drink... That sort of stuff."
"Profound."
"Well when faced with the handiwork of God." He waived her hand outward at the desert. "That tends to happen."
"I'm proud of you, Son." His father praised him.
He smiled with embarrassment. "I realized what you have been saying is true. I heard you but it really hit home when I drank the rubbing alcohol. The consequences of my continued drinking will become more severe until I accepted that my drinking is not normal. After that episode I couldn't hide anymore."
"That's my boy. Duncan put his arm around him and they sat still enjoying the simple pleasure of being together.
+ + +
The drying out was almost complete. Duncan had one more item on his agenda. As a true Swords Master he tackled it head on. "Come sit with me, Son."
"Sure what's up?"
"We'll be leaving soon." He informed Amasso.
"Already? We're done?" he was shocked.
"It's been almost two months and you'll never be done." He corrected.
"I know." He sighed.
"What are your plans, Mas?" He asked.
The question took him by surprise. "Plans?"
"Yes." He grinned. "Now that your be all and end all is no longer in a bottle you will be seventeen soon what are you going to do with the rest of your life?"
"Weeel." He paused.
"Well?" He prompted.
"I once had a dream to join the Fedaykin, together with Dax."
"The Military is a good idea I'm in it and I love it. You should pull that idea out of the cobwebs and seriously consider it."
Amasso shrugged his shoulders.
"If you want I can get you into a program." Duncan offered.
"No!" came the instant reply. "If I do this I do it as Amasso and not the son of anyone!"
"OK!" Duncan placed his hands up in surrender. "So be it!"
~*~*~*~*~
The boy had been as good as his word. He'd signed up and done all the training rising to the rank of Major on his own merit.
Then he'd met Shar'Leem and fallen in love. They had been like two peas in a pod. Inseparable. Then Shar'Leem had been sent on a mission only to return in a body bag. Amasso had taken it badly and he'd returned to the bottle for comfort. Duncan suspected that had she lived Shar'Leem would have become a member of the family.
But she hadn't and here they all were - back where they started.
What was a man to do? Should he take him up to dry out again? Amasso was no longer a child; he had to make his own decisions.
"DAMN IT!" Duncan said out loud. He had family concerns and affairs of state and both were all tugging at him, now this! He struggled with his need to be a good father and allow Amasso to make his own decisions, but Amaso was an Atreides and the second heir. At this crucial time, allowing him the luxury of being an alcoholic just wasn't possible. Duncan needed to take action.
"Damn it." He repeated then turned to descend to his quarters.
