Dune Messiah (pgs. 124-139) Summary

In the wake of Paul's meeting with Mohiam, Scytale visits Edric. Scytale demands to know if Edric is truly shielding them from Paul's powers, but Edric fears real spies and the Imperium's physical powers. The conspiracy is clearly delicate, and Edric fears Scytale is breaking away. The future is too muddied to tell. Edric fears Alia more than Paul, but Scytale believes Hayt will be able to destroy them both. Scytale is upset by how Paul has systematically replaced civil servants and diplomats by power-hungry Qizarate functionaries, but Edric believes cutting off the head will solve everything. Scytale reminds him there are two heads, and the sister is now likely to marry. This will shake truly the universe. Scytale concludes they must move faster or they will "feel the thunderbolt."

After a heavy workout with the ghola...