The Festival
It's proven that paradigm changes in society and human awareness appear only when new generations take over from the previous ones. Do you see now the inherent paradox in every Reverend Mother?
– DARWI ODRADE, THE BENE GESSERIT CODA
Sheeana, youngest ever Reverend Mother of the Bene Gesserit and fugitive in the Scattering, had chosen a light festive dress and then decided to hide it underneath her traditional hooded robe; at the level of her ankles, just above her leather sandals, she allowed two colorful anklets to show through. The same sandals stepped onto the soft, dusty soil of the new world. Moving as a tight group of nine, five with full blue eyes – the sign of spice addiction – masked by contact lenses, she and her Sisters made slow progress among the crowds that had gathered in the large capital of Lat in the drylands of Delphyne. The ozone in the air after the light rain, the smell of the food stalls, the merchants calling their wares from the gates of the big city enveloped her in a journey of the senses, everything so vivid, magnified in her awareness. After the seclusion of the spaceship, the recycled air, the geometrical passages and tunnels, she felt her mind expand, her heart touched by a cascade of everyday memories she thought she would not feel again. She stared at the white, fluffy clouds in the azure sky, pondered if they would be soft at the touch. Who thought the sky could be so deep.
A sandy-haired mid-age woman named Ecath was their hired guide, more than a wrinkle of wisdom showing on her tanned face. Sheeana had liked her immediately because she did very little to hide the aging of her face, and even less the pride in her eyes. Navigating the streets on foot while chatting up her audience, she carefully avoided asking questions. Was that the custom with exo-planetary pilgrims? Their guide paused in her walk to aim at a passerby with her gaze, murmuring back to the Sisters she was leading.
"Who is that? A merchant perhaps?", wondered Sheeana out loud. As she was picking up conversations along the way, she was registering the unusual vocabulary and intonations of the local Galach dialect, miraculously still intelligible to her.
"You are blessed with intuition, madam," chimed in Ecath, "The red and black suit marks him as a Cornucopian. Rich. Crops and cattle engineering. Any land they touch, they turn into the Prophetess' most fertile land. They say their planets grow wheat as tall as buildings, vegetables so large they live in them," she gestured with arms wide.
"What about the bodyguards around him?" ventured Oriana, the only one walking close to Sheeana and caring not to be distracted. The two who walked with him were short, man and woman, ornately dressed with white jackets that were wrapped in gold ridges creating a symmetrical pattern, and what looked like traditional curved scabbards on their sides.
"The ones in white and gold are Spearwood bodyguards, Always in pairs, woman and man. They contract for life; should something happened to their patron, they will remain in his service until justice is exacted, and then commit ritual suicide," remarked Ecath. "They must be the subject of more than a folks' ballad," commented Walli while passing the trio which was soberingly walking down the road. It was good it had not stopped at the loud comments. But Sheeana felt daring in the open air. After all, they could be any group of strangers from any strange planet dropping in for the festival. She was aware of the subtle looks trailing the group, some of the men trying to lock gaze with her despite her somber robes. Their merry company strode forth with brio, laughter and excitement leaving a trail that smelled like adventure.
"They are!" continued the guide, "Many a Delphyne's ballads sing of the love of man and woman as they seek revenge for their dead master, and then find their tragic end when all evil has been vanquished. Blades flashing at candlelight, presumed dead men waking up after their soulmate has already taken her life." Ecath spoke with a sharp, factual tone that made clear she was past that tragic material. "Spearwood tree is sharper than metal and virtually unbendable, making it the traditional material for their curved blades. But do not be mistaken, the swords are for show. These bodyguards are deadly with projectile weapons and in close quarters. Or so the ballads say."
"Let's hope we will never find out," smiled Sheeana as the group brushed past a fortune-teller and a hooded client intent on reading the ancient Tarot. They came closer to some market stalls offering alien-looking cosmetics, herbs, and folk remedies. An array of powders, tools, charms and other portents was displayed in all hues of the rainbow, their exotic scents an assault on the nostrils. On the days of Dur's Decennial Festival on Delphyne the big crowds drew the traders out of their shops and into the streets; pilgrims came from distant systems in brown robes, men in ruby shirts and short pants, the occasional lady in white.
"And if you do, hope to have them by your side. Chivalrous, the Spearwood guards. Did you notice the black collars? They were showing off their nervine armor. Traditional vine grown on Senke. Madams?"
But the Sisters, including Joanna, had already veered toward the stalls like bees swarming to the hive and were marveling at the wares on display, asking the vendors to illustrate. Their many-color summer clothes made a splash against the more sober hues of the pilgrims around, drawing many looks. What were those flowers for? And the pigments, what plant or creature were they made of?
"Very sensitive vine," muttered the guide to Sheeana, bothered by having lost her hold on the audience. "It is trained to attune with the owner's nervous system and hardens in place when its owner senses danger. Flexible and tough."
Sheeana noticed the girls were flirting with the male vendors, certainly to get a discount on the perfumes. And what marvel were those orchids? "These red ones, madam, they are Aphrodisiac orchids. Do not smell them here in public. I can pack them for you in a static capsule," belabored the seller, a young lady with an elaborate hairdo and sprinkling stars painted on her skin. Showing off her products. "Ecath," she went back to her guide, "'it is a delight to listen to your knowledge. How do you know so much?"
"I have had many friends and many lovers, madam. Delphyne is a crossroads planet, and in my youth I was possessed by an insatiable curiosity for strangers," she replied smiling.
Reason why you pushed hard to be your guide; what else had she said? 'Madam, this is a planet of diverse sensibilities. A man escorting a woman is a chaperon. A man with a group of ladies is suspicious. An older woman guiding the group is just the teacher training the pups'.
"An insatiable curiosity... and what products here would you recommend my Sisters use in order to satisfy theirs?"
"Theirs and yours, madam?"
"And mine, Ecath."
A genuine smile came to her guide unbidden: "Madam, but you are young and attractive, you need nothing from these stalls. Still, I will be happy to illustrate some of my favorites." And the guide proceeded to list the power of the scent of each and every orchid - from calming, to relaxing, to arousing, and more. "This cactus needle you can dip into the essence of dreamstate - prickle your rival and she will be sleeping for a good night's sleep. These fireflies, you buy in bottles and add a drop of your perfume, or simply a hair. Then you can lift the cap and they will light the air around your figure, creating the most beautiful display - dressed or not." All the Sisters were now quietly listening to Ecath the teacher. "Those jars of mud contain living algae that will cover your body and burn your outside layer so that when they are done, your skin will be as soft as a baby's".
"Did you hear that? Come on girls, get some!" urged Sheeana.
The Sisters were haggling hard with the sellers now. She only hoped they would not openly use Voice. The sun on their backs felt so nourishing, and it was so restorative to lose just a little bit of control, to frolic in the fresh air. Notwithstanding the Bene Gesserit discipline, living in a ship could be the death of the spirit. She felt pity for Duncan, forever forced to live in a no-ship or other no-room lest he made himself discoverable by prescient seekers. The very same Duncan who had disapproved of this planet-side stop. "You have no idea of what awaits us below on this planet!" he had blurted, eyes possessively looking at her, following the soft, brown cheeks down to the curve of her neck in a way that felt uncomfortable to her, but not unpleasant. She had stood her ground: "Teg has sent a spy in recon. It is an agricultural planet and a religious center, independently governed, and nobody seems to know about the Matres. You did well Duncan, throwing us to the deep end of the Scattering! We cannot stay bottled up in a ship for the rest of our existence! It is time to go down and experience. Life awaits!" she concluded, looking joyfully at the many-lives Duncan.
While she was replaying the meeting in her mind, a tall lady dressed in white and red translucent veils, which did little to conceal the toned body underneath. came to the stall, walking lightly on her white sandals and charm anklet, white pearls shining in the morning light. She started looking at the powders, her make-up carefully applied in the manner of an Egyptian goddess of old, Sheeana noticed. She was watching with interest the girls' excited conversations.
"Ha," had warned her Duncan still, "this carelessness, this naivete will get you in trouble. Why do you seek the innocent bliss of the inexperienced...," at which she had lashed out with a Reverend Mother's Voice "I am a grown Reverend Mother! Do you want to know what the lives in my other memory think of your chiding, Atreides servant?". He had taken a step back, not because of her use of Voice, she had noticed, but perhaps just regret. Then he had unexpectedly taken her hand in his and lowered his voice "It is important to me to know that you will be safe there. I will ask Teg to take extra care. You are important. I will wait here." Sheeana had taken her hand back, frustrated at a little charge of electricity she had felt at the touch. Her lungs were breathing in his skin's smell admittedly for a little longer than her training required read his emotions. "What escort? We are all trained fighters!" she had replied, and she had then striden out.
"Who is that lady in white?" whispered Oriana a little too loud. A few faces around them took a step back; the lady in question met Sheeana's gaze for a moment, revealing fierce, exacting eyes. Sheeana felt a strange similarity to Murbella's. Reality came back to her as the white lady pointed a finger to a nearby masseuse who was massaging a weary traveler's back, and raised her voice above the crowd. "Police! That girl!" In a swift moment two guards dressed in black under the scorching midday sun stepped out of the crowd and surrounded the masseuse.
"I am Eilenna of the Houris and I invoke the Order's privilege! No unlicensed services on city grounds! I have exclusivity and you have not purchased a permit! Same with you perfume sellers! The orchids, the powders and the charms are subject to the Order's permits. I am here with the city's enforcers to see you fined and removed and your goods confiscated. Bless the Goddess!"
Sheeana froze in surprise. Clues of Voice-like tonalities!
In a heartbeat the masseuse and the perfume sellers were on their knees: "Goddess' lady! I seek your benevolence! We were not aware the Order ruled the festival town! Let us go with our lives and belongings! These wares belong to you!" In a heartbeat all the nearby customers, including her Sisters, who were too close to the scene took furtive steps back, money still in their hands or bags full of merchandise finding their way in the folds of their clothes.
"Apologies and concessions! As it is required! Eilenna is satisfied. You are free to go but will incur in my Order's wrath should any of you be seen here again." The sellers shouted "The Goddess may bless your mercy!" and promptly stood up, took the cash box and strode away without looking back. "Lucky ones! The fine is the nine-tailed cat," whispered Ecath. Then she pulled Sheeana's sleeve peremptorily and whispered: "Walk away with your eyes on the ground!"
The eight of them took notice and started to turn, eyes low but Bene Gesserit senses on high alert. New land, new customs, thought Sheeana. So what is a Houri?
"You stop!" barked the white lady from behind their backs.
No Voice, but they froze nevertheless, then slowly turned around. Sheeana prepared herself for the confrontation. Foolish of us! We should have scattered around and regrouped far from watchful eyes!
"You heard me too, women! Our privilege extends to all services. No escorts in the festival city are allowed besides the Order's! What you bought from these sellers, and your looks betray your cover. You will now drop what you have and reveal yourselves to me, for the Order does not tolerate competition. This is our market!"
Several scenarios went through Sheeana's mind. No reason to pick a fight with a local authority they did not know. "Obey, Madam. The Houris are sacred," whispered Ecath. Yet this lady's impudence had hit her hard. The Sisterhood could make an example of bad behavior, even when in disguise.
"My lady," Sheeana raised her Voice over the crowd that was watching, while closing the door of other Memory to the countless Reverend Mothers who were in turmoil in her head, "We are but visitors going about."
"You have coin to spend, that I have seen!"
"Just a game. Pretending to be highborn ladies for a day. Our skins are worn and our hearts are sad. What harm is it from prettying up for once to forget our carefree youth and long lost lovers?"
"Worn skins, you say! Remove the hood and let me be the judge!" cried the Houri. The crowd was following at a distance. Walli and the other Sisters imperceptibly changed stance, ready to flee as much as to resist. They could see their wild Sheeana was in a fighting mood.
Sheeana removed her hood in a move that showed the dress under the robe. She stood defiantly, flowing dark hair on brown skin, oval face with sharp features with the marks of her early Rakis years, and with fiery, intense eyes. The guards made a step forward, cautious but with batons at the ready.
"I knew it was a cover! Robes of a pilgrim over the dress of a temptress. Guards, stop them!"
The guards (they only would be victims) made two steps forward…
… Sheeana gasped surprised as a feeling of energy climbed from her feet, spiraling up her body and electrifying her hair. A wild rage filled her mind while her mind went blank…
... while Ecath threw herself in front of her, hands up to the sky shouting "Ariesh'a! Sister of the tribe, hold and listen!"
... and then everything stopped!
"Sister of kin," their guide continued in a calm but loud voice, "I beg you not to cross your tribe in the hour of need!" silence stilled the crowd. "Delphyne was your home as it is mine. You may have forgotten, but my blood is your blood. Your village was my village!"
Everybody around them took a cautious step back, the air dead quiet. "I am a Guide of Lat and have sworn the guide's oath. I will see my patrons to safety. I am your sister of kin, born in the same village. Don't you remember me? Is kin less important than business?"
"This is my claim!" squirmed the Houri, furious but suddenly less certain.
"The Festival is here! I guide these visitors. What would Dur think of the law of hospitality broken during His sacred days?" Ecath spoke directly to the guards.
In the brief silence that followed, Sheeana broke away from the living dream that had taken her. Uncharacteristically for her training, her mind had skipped a beat. I lost myself for a blink. But what was it? I felt a void surging inside. I have never felt so defiant!
Tension lingered in the air. The faith in Leto-Dur can be relied upon.
Then the lady in white and red raised her head, speaking to the crowd as much as to the guide: "I recognize you, blood of my blood. I am Sister of kin as much as I am the Goddess' daughter. I put the responsibility of these women in your hands. You are free to go, but do not ever think for a moment to source any kind of business on city grounds, or you will see me again."
"I recognize you, Sister." replied Ecath in a hurry, pushing the party to march ahead.
They walked briskly into the alleys of the suk, then ran until they were certain nobody had followed.