Chapter Two:

Caladanian Daughter

The song Gurney Halleck sings in this chapter is found in Dune, by Frank Herbert. He sings it to Paul, but in my mind, he learned the song many years earlier.

Amara pulled the hood of her cloak over her head. It was raining now and she was not happy to be heading toward this part of town. Cala City was beautiful in the daylight, even here among the crumbling old section of town, but now it felt forbidding and dangerous. She walked as quickly as she could, stopping to look behind her several times into the shadowed doorways of buildings. Celeres, I'm going to kill you for making me do this.

There was someone following her. She knew it. Ducking into the doorway of the first tavern she could find, she was surprised to hear a familiar voice singing with great gusto. No, it cannot be!

The Galacian girls do it for pearls,

And the Arrakeen for water!

But if you desire dames like consuming flames,

Try a Caladanian daughter!

Amara looked toward the rich, low voice. Gurney. She couldn't help but smile at the bawdy tune. A hand touched her shoulder. She whirled around and stood face to face with Duncan Idaho, the Swordmaster of Ginaz.

"Miss Blin, are you lost?" Idaho asked her. "This is no place for someone like you."

"Oh, but I see it's fit for you, Swordmaster Idaho," she snapped at him. "I came in here because someone was following me."

"Aye, of course someone was following you. I was following you. I was on my way to meet Gurney and I thought I recognized you in the street. I was worried—er, I-"

She frowned. "I'm not a child, Master Idaho," Amara said impatiently. He looked startled at the harshness of her voice. She instantly felt guilty and softened her tone. "I appreciate your concern, but I know where I'm going and I know how to stay out of trouble. I have been to this section of town before."

Amara noticed that Gurney had stopped singing and was walking toward them. What must he think of me?

"Miss Blin—Amara, is everything all right?" Gurney asked, looking puzzled.

"Yes, actually, I came in here because I thought someone was following me, only to find that I was being followed by Master Idaho."

"I followed you for your own protection," he said scowling, and then looked up at Gurney. "I only followed her so she would be safe."

Gurney laughed and slapped Idaho on the back. "That's all well and good, lad, but I still don't understand what's happening here." He guided them to a table, grabbing some glasses from the bar as he passed, and pouring each of them a drink. "Sit down and tell me what this is all about."

Amara shook her head, smiling slightly. "Let me start at the beginning. My brothers have a couple of days leave and they've been drinking. Maren came home to sleep it off, but he was unable to persuade Celeres to come with him. Instead, he told me that Celeres is at the Water Lily with a woman or two. I'm going to fetch him and let him sleep at the cottage so he'll be able to get back to the barracks in time for tomorrow's drill."

"You're going to fetch your brother in a brothel while he's with a woman?" Gurney asked, looking shocked. "And what are you going to do once you've got him, carry him home?"

"I've done it before, Commander Halleck."

"Why don't you let us help you take him home? He might not be able to walk," Gurney said to her.

"And you might not be able to walk either," said the round-faced Duncan Idaho, grabbing at Gurney's glass. Amara rolled her eyes. Men were such children sometimes—such large, appealing children.

He winked at her. "Then I suppose one of you will have to help me."

She stood and took the glass out of his hand as he was about to raise it to his lips. "Come on then, Commander Halleck. You won't be of much use if you have any more of this." Duncan Idaho looked startled, but then laughed.

They began walking down to an even darker part of the street. Amara was grateful for their presence, although the rain seemed to be keeping most of the usual street people indoors. She knocked on the plain, rough wooden door of the Water Lily. A tall man answered. "Miss Blin, he's in the back with Trea."

"Thank you, Gallus," she said, holding her head up, unafraid. "My friends, Gurney and Duncan are going to help me get him out of here."

"Just as well they're here to help. He's in a bad state," the tall dark-haired man said to her.

Gurney and Duncan followed her down a corridor past several closed doors on either side. Women in various states of dress lounged in the corridor and in the open doorways, calling out to the two men. Amara heard one of them calling her name. "Miss Amara, I have some new drawings to show you."

"I'll be here in two days for our art class, don't worry." She smiled at the young girl. Poor thing was orphaned a few years ago and had no means of support except working here.

Amara knocked on the door at the end of the corridor. "Celeres, it's me."

"G'away! I'm not leaving."

The door opened. A young woman stood in the doorway. Her brother was sprawled on the bed, his clothes rumpled. "He's been like this all night, Amara. I've never seen him so angry."

"Thank you, Trea." Amara walked past her and beckoned Gurney and Duncan into the room.

"What are they doing here?" Celeres asked defensively, as he tried to draw himself up on his elbows.

"I happened to run into them on the way here and they offered to help. They mean no harm, Celeres. Come, let's go home."

"Why should I go home? Trea and I just opened another bottle. We're going to have an enjoyable evening, aren't we, Trea?" he sputtered, leering at the girl and gesturing toward the bottle on the night table.

Amara walked over to him and tried to pull him up. "Celeres, you have to be back for drills tomorrow morning. We can get you into a nice warm bed and I can give you your raw eggs in the morning to help you with your hangover. Please come home with me. Otherwise, I won't be able to sleep tonight."

"You've got your man with you, and his friend besides. I should think you'd want to rush home to a nice warm bed yourself."

"Now that is enough!" Gurney's voice boomed in the room. Duncan and Gurney pulled Celeres out of the bed as he tried to resist them. He got his left arm loose and aimed a punch right at Gurney, who struck back, knocking him out cold. Amara gasped.

"Gurney!" she cried out.

"I'm sorry, Amara, but he'll be better off. He'll just sleep until morning. Come on, let's find a transport back to your cottage."

Gurney and Duncan carried Celeres between the two of them, out into the rain, while Amara stopped to pay Trea for her trouble. The two men looked relieved to see the ground transport vehicle that Gallus had summoned. The rain was coming down harder now, and Amara was thankful for their assistance.

She was quiet as the four of them made their way to her cottage. The transport got them there very quickly. Gurney and Duncan pulled Celeres out while Amara unlocked the door, and motioned toward the small hallway where several glow globes guided them to a bedroom. She pulled back the feminine bedclothes just as they dropped him onto the bed like a sack of Pundi rice. Amara pulled off his boots and then covered him up gently. Poor Celeres . . .

She motioned for Gurney and Duncan to follow her to the living room. The fire was dying, but it was still the warmest room in the cottage. "Please sit down, Gurney, Duncan," she said, looking at each of them in turn. "I'm so grateful to you for your help. I couldn't have gotten him home in this rain without you. Can I get either of you a drink or something to eat? I seem to have disrupted your plans for tonight."

"Oh, we can't ask you to do that now after all you've been through tonight, Amara." Gurney seemed embarrassed.

"It's no trouble, Gurney. I have lots of food cooked and ready for my brothers. Neither of them is in any condition to enjoy it. I hate for it to be wasted."

Duncan eyed the pile of wood by the fireplace. "I'm in, and I'll make myself even more useful by getting the fire going for you, Miss Blin." He moved to the fireplace and began pulling the screen back.

"Please call me Amara," she said. "I'll be right back." As she left, she stopped to pull a table from the corner toward the fire. It was the table that her brothers always used for card games, but it would do nicely for eating near the fire.

Amara nearly ran to the kitchen. She had several roasted pullets and vegetable soup ready. Those boys don't know what they're missing. It's not fancy like the food at the castle, but I know my way around a roasted chicken!

A few minutes later, Amara came out with a large tray of hot soup, cold pullet, fresh bread, cheese, and ale, and sliced paradan melon. She was pleased to see the anticipation on their faces, and she hated to eat alone besides. "I'll be right back with the rest of the side dishes and plates. I think we'll be all right eating in here by the fire."

She could hear snippets of their conversation as she paused in the doorway on her way back. "I think she rather likes you, Gurney. I can make my exit soon if you like."

"Don't you dare insult her by leaving without eating your fill and giving her all the praise she merits. It shouldn't be hard. The food smells wonderful."

"Suit yourself. I was simply thinking you might want something other than this paradan melon for dessert." Amara giggled to herself. So predictable, yet she knew nothing could happen between them in this full house.

She walked in. "Here we are. Oh, good, you brought the chairs over. I'm starving. You must be too after our misadventures."

They sat down and began to eat, being very quiet at first. "This is the best soup I've had in ages, Amara," Duncan broke the silence.

He follows direction well. "Oh, thank you, Duncan. It's my mother's special recipe. I must admit, she always made the best soup, and with all the fresh vegetables and herbs that Maren grows, I never lack ingredients."

"I can't imagine why your brothers would rather drink than come home to this meal," Gurney said. "We're not all so lucky to have someone cooking for us."

Poor Gurney. He must be thinking about his sister. "I suppose you wonder if Maren and Celeres do this often. Really, they usually do come home to eat, but Celeres is suffering from a broken heart, and he asked Maren to go and drink with him."

"That serious, eh?" Gurney looked at her questioningly.

"Oh, yes. Everyone thinks he's the consummate soldier, cold and distant, but there's a very sweet and gentle side to him. He was in love—is in love with a woman who suddenly decided that she would be better off marrying a fisherman than a soldier." Amara could hear the anger in her voice. "Poor Celeres, he's an excellent soldier from a family who's served the Atreides Dukes with honor. He hasn't ever known anything else. I don't understand it. He's handsome, he has his own land to build a nice home on, and he treated her like a princess. What more could she want?" Amara shook her head.

"Love is unpredictable, Amara. Perhaps she didn't have the courage to face the thought of losing him. It's what everyone has to face if they're going to love a warrior."

"I know that, Gurney, but what about pride in the man who serves honorably? Is that not valuable? If nothing else, wouldn't a man in battle want to return to his woman if he knew that she loved and supported his calling?"

Duncan was silent, looking from one to the other. Gurney appeared to be blushing. Maybe I should keep quiet! "By the cliffs of Castle Caladan, Amara, if every soldier had a woman who felt like you, Duke Leto would never lose an engagement!" Gurney laughed.

"Then I am correct in calling my brother's former girl an idiot, and you shall have as much paradan melon as you want for saying so." Amara laughed too, and they continued chattering about less important things like old friends, as she passed them their dessert.

"I'm curious, Amara," Duncan began. "You seemed to know those women at the Water Lily. How—why would someone like you—a teacher, go there?"

"You mean other than to retrieve my brothers?" He nodded. "I suppose I was curious and I started talking to them. They aren't evil people, you know. The girl I spoke to about art class was recently orphaned and had nowhere else to go. Gallus took her in and didn't let her work until she was eighteen, and only then because she asked." Amara looked at Gurney and looked down at her plate again. "Some people would not agree, but what harm does it do to sell a lonely person some comfort—especially these young boys who come to serve the Duke?" She stopped for a moment, waiting for an argument from them, which didn't come. "I teach some of them and a few of their children."

Gurney smiled at her, looking as if he was wondering what to say. "Quite right, Amara," Duncan replied, and then stood up and yawned, carrying his plates toward the door. "This was so wonderful, Amara, but I'm afraid I have to meet Thufir Hawat tonight. I'd forgotten, so I'd best go quickly."

Amara looked at Gurney and smiled. "A cup of coffee, Gurney?" Please don't leave. Please don't leave.

"And a song if you'll lend me your baliset. I doubt your brothers will hear us, eh?"

Duncan stood at the door. "Thank you for a wonderful meal. I must have eaten a whole bird on my own."

"You're welcome, Duncan. Thank you so much for helping me with Celeres." She led him to the door and put an arm around him, hugging him. "Good night. And don't worry, I'll send Gurney right behind you."

When she came back to the living room, Gurney was holding her baliset. "I promise I won't sing the song you heard me sing earlier."

She laughed. "That's all right. We women have our own song about Caladanian soldiers. I'll sing it for you when I know you better. Let me get your coffee."

Amara came back with two cups of steaming coffee and sat down next to Gurney, who began to sing a melancholy tune about a fisherman who fell in love with a mermaid and drowned trying to reach her. Amara applauded and he sat closer to her, taking her hand.

"Thank you, Gurney. Celeres owes you thanks as well." She squeezed his hand and moved a little closer to him.

"I couldn't leave you to deal with him alone, Amara. Besides, he's one of ours. I wouldn't let him be late for the morning drill."

"Ah, it's your duty then," she smiled and looked up into his blue eyes. Please kiss me. Don't make me kiss you.

He leaned forward and she put her arms around his neck, her fingers tangling in his blonde hair. When his lips finally touched hers, Amara fell backward against the cushions at her back. The kiss lasted until both of them ran out of breath. They broke apart and Gurney sat up and looked down at her.

"I suppose I'm doing my duty as well." Amara whispered.

"Duty?" he asked, bewildered.

"Yes, I'm showing my support for Duke Leto's troops," she giggled.

He threw his back and laughed. "Being a loyal servant of the Duke has its benefits then," he said, pulling her up and kissing her again, as he smoothed her curls back from her face.

About a quarter of an hour later, Gurney pulled back from her, and she could sense that he was torn between leaving and staying the night. "I suppose you have to leave, Gurney? I know you have drills in the morning too."

"Believe me, Amara, I'm having a terrible time making myself go."

"Our forbearance will give us something to look forward to, Gurney Halleck."

He raised an eyebrow and his cup of coffee. "Here's to the future, Amara Blin." She touched her cup to his and drank her coffee. Gurney put his cup down.

"I must go. May I call for you in a few days?"

She nodded. "Of course, and thank you again," she said, taking his arm and leading him to her door.

Gurney stopped and bent down to brush his lips across her cheek. Amara smiled. "Sleep well, Gurney Halleck."

It had been, what at least a week since he'd first kissed Amara, and in that time he had seen her twice more. Duncan Idaho could not restrain himself from teasing him about his new passion. Gurney wished the Ginaz School had not trained him to be so observant.

"So your woman does not think you ugly enough, Halleck? She has to adorn you with more marks?" Duncan asked, laughing and slapping Gurney on the back. Thufir, Leto, and Prince Rhombur looked up from the table questioningly.

"What are you talking about, miscreant? She didn't hit me with an inkvine whip!"

"No, but she's left some rather impressive and artistic love bites on you." Gurney noticed that Leto had covered his mouth—to suppress a smile, perhaps.

"And you are jealous that a more interesting history has not been written on your face or your body, I suspect." Gurney snapped back.

"I doubt very much that Gurney Halleck's private life will make a difference when we get to Ix," Thufir interrupted. "Prince Rhombur has the drawings for us to study. Let's get to work, then, Gurney."

Gurney studied the map showing several secrets entrances into the underground city, Vernii. "I think this looks the most promising. C'tair will be waiting here, right?"

"Yes, if our infiltrators have been able to reach him," Duke Leto replied.

"You need to look around and scout out their numbers and those of the Sardukar. We just don't know what we're up against," Prince Rhombur said.

"I just don't understand what my cousin, the Emperor, is up to. Why would he send any of his soldiers to Ix?" Duke Leto mused.

"I hope we shall know the answer to that question soon," said Thufir.

Amara heard a knock at her door. It's late. I wonder what's happened? It had to be Celeres or Maren. She wrapped a towel around her wet hair and ran to the door holding her comb in her right hand. Looking out the small windows framing the door, she saw Gurney Halleck. Oh, no! I'm a mess.

She opened the door. "Gurney, what is it?" she asked. He did not look upset; instead he seemed to have a determined look about him. "Come in." She took him into the living room.

"I'm sorry to come around so late," he began somewhat sheepishly. "I had no choice since I'm leaving tomorrow on the Duke's business. I won't be able to see you tomorrow night." He gestured with one hand. "I –I just wanted you to know."

The towel was slipping from her head and her bath robe was askew. Amara could feel Gurney looking at her. Well if this doesn't frighten him, then I don't know what will!

"Oh, Gurney, please forgive me. I'm a little flustered. Sit down while I straighten up a little," she said, feeling mortified as the towel slipped off her head and revealed her wet hair.

He smiled and grabbed the towel before it hit the floor. "I shouldn't have come. I should have sent word with Celeres or Maren, but I did want to see you again-I—don't leave." He reached out and took her arm, guiding her to the sofa. "I don't have much time."

"I have to run a comb through my hair or it will become a rat's nest," she said gesturing with the comb she had in her hand. "Can I get you anything to drink?" she asked, as she began combing her hair.

"No, I really only came to say good bye. Amara, I don't know how long I'll be gone," he said watching her intently. He stood up and moved around behind her, taking the comb from her hand. "I can do the back of your hair if you like."

"Oh-oh, all right," she said feeling her face getting hotter and hotter as he gently combed the back of her hair. Amara could feel her hands shake a little as he swept the hair back from her face and pulled it all to one side. The next thing she knew he had slipped onto the sofa next to her and was kissing the back of her neck. She could feel herself blushing even more.

"I shall miss you, Amara." He spoke softly into her ear. She turned around and closed the gap between them, putting her arms around him and burying her head in his chest. She didn't know what to say, so many things were going through her mind: fear for his safety, curiosity about his feelings for her, embarrassment at her appearance. She knew she couldn't question him about his mission, nor was it her place to wish that he wouldn't go. There was no promise between them—they didn't even know each other that well, though she was finding herself thinking about him and wanting to be with him more and more.

"I'll miss you very much, as well, Gurney. Who will sing to me while you're away?"

"No other man, I hope," he said, drawing her face to his and kissing her deeply. Then he pulled back and suddenly had a serious look on his face. "I'm sorry. . . I have no right to ask that of you-"

She stopped him, placing her finger on his lips. "You have whatever right I choose to give you, Gurney." She pulled him to her and kissed him. "And I don't want another man to sing to me."

He squeezed her tightly. "I'll serenade you as soon as I can, then, but I must go now," he said, though he did not let go of her right away.

She pulled back slightly, tilting her face upward. Gurney bent down and kissed her again. Amara led him to the door, whispering the Atreides blessing, "Follow the light of a just beacon. There shall you find your strength." Gurney held her close again and then tore himself away.

The ornithopter lifted off from the field near Amara's cottage, Gurney at the controls. He looked down at the stone structure and smiled faintly as he saw the lights go out. He knew he would have to face the inevitable teasing and mocking from Duncan and the others. It was not often that he signed out an ornithopter for personal business, but he was becoming more and more accustomed to the warm feelings he'd been having ever since their first kiss--feelings his hard life had not allowed him to have often.

He thought of Amara's lush curly hair, the arc of her lips, the curve of her hip, and other curves he definitely appreciated. Would they become lovers, or something more? Was it fair to her to expect her to live like this--waiting for him as he left on another mission, and knowing that he might not come back? But that's what she lives with all the time with her brothers. And am I wrong in thinking that she doesn't mind?

It was a short trip to the castle. Gurney put aside thoughts of Amara and guided the ornithopter down easily, then walked back to the castle, taking his usual wide strides. As he began thinking of what he would need for the mission, the face of his old friend, Dominic Vernius, flashed in his mind. It was time to find out what was happening on Ix and find the weaknesses of the Bene Tleilax. It was time to help Rhombur take back what was his. And, I have someone to come back to. He found himself more anxious than ever to get to Ix.

Duncan Idaho stood at her doorway. I wonder if he's heard from Gurney? Amara thought.

"Hello, Duncan, please come in. The children and I have almost finished our lesson," she said leading him into her living room. Several easels were set up near the large window so that the children could have the late morning light.

"I did not mean to interrupt your work, Amara, but the Duke would like to see you at your convenience," he said, smiling at the little girl peeking around her easel.

"Of course, Duncan," she said, removing her artist's apron.

"I can wait and transport you, if you like," he said.

"Yes, please," she replied and turned to her students. "All right, everyone. That's all for today. Leave your easels where they are, and we'll continue tomorrow at the same time. Please take a moment to wash your brushes and leave them on the table to dry.

A few minutes later, Amara was sitting in the rear facing seat of Duncan's ornithopter. He had told her that the Duke and Prince Rhombur wanted to see her. Amara could only imagine how badly Prince Rhombur had been hurt in the explosion that had killed Victor. She hadn't seen him since the accident. She hadn't been to the castle since the funeral.

Duncan led Amara into a windowless room. The stone walls were grey and cold, but a fire burned brightly in the fire place. Prince Rhombur was seated by the fire looking at a filmbook when she walked in.

"Amara Blin!" he said, standing up a bit jerkily. Amara was amazed. From what she had heard, there had not been much of him left after the explosion. She could see that he was stiff, but he was able to stand and walk over to her.

"I've been given replacement parts, so to speak, Amara. That's why I appear a bit rigid."

"Oh, Prince Rhombur, you look so well. I am so pleased." She bowed to him.

"Not nearly as pleased as I am. Please, none of that, Amara. We've known each other too long," he said. "Please sit down. I have request to make of you."

"Of course, Prince Rhombur."

"By the way, I never got a chance to thank you for the picture you left of Victor. I know that you miss him as much as we all do, but that isn't why the Duke asked you here. You see, the Lady Tessia and I are getting married next week," he told her, stopping to gauge her reaction.

Amara clapped her hands in excitement. "That's wonderful news, Prince Rhombur. Many blessings to you and to the Lady Tessia."

"We've been given the greatest blessing of all, Amara: each other-"

At that moment Duke Leto walked in and Amara bowed deeply. "So you have, Rhombur. Miss Blin, you are, as usual, a welcome guest. I have a favor to ask of you in preparation for the Prince's wedding." He motioned to her to sit down again and he took a seat at his desk. "This wedding will be conducted for the most part according to Ixian tradition, but here on Caladan, there is one tradition that I feel we cannot depart from."

"Oh, the children's dance!" Amara exclaimed. "Of course, I'll take care of it."

"It would be extraordinarily bad form if we allowed them to escape without the dance of the roses."

There was a knock at the door and the Lady Tessia appeared. "Please forgive the interruption, but Rhombur, Dr. Yueh wants to see you immediately. It's time for your systems to be checked."

"Ah, the trials of being experimental. Thank you, Miss Blin. I will see you in a week, then."

Amara stood and bowed as he left the room. "My Lord Duke, I will have the children ready for the dance. I know you're a busy man; is there anything else I can do for you?"

He smiled and she thought he didn't look quite as haggard as he had at the funeral. Most women of Caladan found the Duke to be very handsome and Amara was no exception. She was somewhat less in awe of Leto because her father had told her so many things about him, but she still found herself looking down at the floor and feeling embarrassed that he was looking at her. He motioned for her to sit again.

"You have done so much for me already, Amara. I have not been able to thank you for the portraits of Victor and the book of his art work. The book has been a great comfort to me." She looked up at him and smiled. "Soon, I will have another child. The Lady Jessica is expecting a baby." He stopped as she stood up again and clapped her hands.

"Forgive me, my Lord Duke, but today has been a day of good news and I cannot contain my joy."

He laughed. "I feel the same way, Amara, and I hope that when this child is old enough, you will be his or her teacher."

She felt her face get hot again. "Of course, my Lord Duke. It would be the greatest honor for me."

"Then we have an agreement," he said, standing and coming around the desk. "One more thing, Amara, as long as you are giving lessons, perhaps you could help one of my men with his singing. He's quite loud, but he's not always that good." Amara began to blush in earnest. Could he possibly know that she and Gurney Halleck were keeping company? The Duke chuckled. "I did not mean to embarrass you. I am happy that Gurney has found someone to appreciate his good humor. And do not worry, he will be home soon."

"Thank you, my Lord Duke," Amara choked out.

He took her arm and said, "Come, let's find Duncan so he can take you home."

He led her out the door of his small chamber. Amara began to feel that life was turning around for the Duke and the people of Caladan. Prince Rhombur's marriage and a new baby meant a new beginning for all of them. The Duke would finally be his old self again. And Gurney? Yes, he did pop into her thoughts often, and for now, that was enough.