Mapes, the headmistress to the Fenrings and the Shadout to Fremen, an ancient title that meant well-dipper in Chakobsa, experienced discomfort being on board of the frigate. She had got used to living in the residency, but to travel in metal enclosure so high in the air seemed alien to her. For a moment she'd been afraid that those offworlders would take her away from Arrakis, something she would loathe to her core. Fortunately, it didn't come to pass and now they were landing back.

She was doing what any good Fremen would be doing in such a circumstance - reviewing her equipment before going into the open.

Something that Bomilcar was doing as well, preparing for the plan and going through his own Fremkit. He nodded to the other woman.

"Appreciation," he says as he works nearby.

"Aiii, m'lord, why would that be?" She replied almost reflexively, having long learnt to speak with the offworlders. His possession of a Fremen stillsuit and a well-equipped fremkit didn't escape her attention.

"Your assistance. Thanks," he clarified. "Hope to reciprocate. Kill Rabban for Ahmina one day. Maybe today."

It played in his head actually. He had dreamt about it the desire was that strong.

"Is Ahmina dead?" Mapes raised her gaze on him, her large eyes showing being startled. Without processing the possible answer, she added: "Mudir Nahya is on the other side of the pole now. He has been baited to be there."

He wasn't familiar with the name that she spoke, but from context he understood it to be Rabban. He was a bit disappointed that it wouldn't be today.

"Didn't see her. Shai-Hulud appeared. Ahmina was separated," he explains regretfully. He was picking up the words and terms, he spoke them as an outsider of course, but he was apparently absorbing them and making them part of his vocabulary. It was also likely that he was assuming she was dead, because how could he know they could ride the sandworms.

"So whether she is alive or dead is the will of Shai-hulud." A reverent tone in Mapes' voice made Bom think she actually meant something like 'god'. Were the Fremen worshipping the worm? Still, the Fremen woman seemed calmed by this revelation. "Why do you want to avenge her? Do you have a water debt?"

"She helped twice. With Chatt and Korba. Also teaching," he says before clearing his throat.

"Not learned water debt yet, but yes, probably," he admits.

Mapes remained silent for a moment. "Mudir Nahya has done terrible things to us. We will kill him one day. But he is predictable to us, and so he weakens the Harkonnen. His uncle and the mentat are not so easy to predict." He could hear great hatred toward Rabban in her voice, but also remarkable restraint. How were these people capable of strategic thought of this depth, of such intelligence?

"So you have met Chatt and Korba?"

He had never doubted the minds of Fremen. They were survivors, that took planning and preparation. He couldn't understand their pain but he could understand their patience.

"I have," he replied with a nod. "Enlightening. I would meet more. Know more."

Cuyler appeared carrying a basket of bread and preserves. "Would anyone care for some breakfast?"

Bomilcar nodded to Cuyler, but didn't move from his unpacking, inspection and repacking.

"Thanks Cuyler."

Mapes turned briefly silent at the newcomer, and turned down the offer with a shake of her head. He glanced to the yellow sky of Arrakis visible through the frigate's window plas.

"I will have to sneak out of the Harkonnen stronghold to make the call to my people." She reached for a small cage near her feet, and reached into it to pet a small bat in there. The creature seemed docile, perhaps hazed.

She prepared some bread for Bom.

"Is that one like the bats we followed?" she asked, looking down at the cage.

The smell of fresh baked bread wafting through the corridors lured Dorian into the room with the others. He gave a nod to Bomilcar and Mapes who were going through their equipment as well as a small cage with a bat? Then he plucked some bread and fruit preserves gratefully from Cuyler's basket.

Mapes considered the question with some incredulity.

"Don't you know about distrans?"

---

Understand 1

Distrans refers to a steganographic technology by which information could be temporarily neurally implanted in animals for storage and retrieval. The information was stored subliminally by voice. The message could be retrieved from the animal by uttering a word or phrase. The message would usually be repeated by the animal as a series of words uttered through vibrations. The sound was likened to words connected by a series of hums.

"Never heard," he replied.

D8 LA, Understand + Truth, TN 10: 2#1d20 14 20
Failed, 1 complication

Because of course

"Oh, he's a messenger." she smiled. "I should have known."


- - -
Dipping into the Well [LA8], Understand (6)/Truth (8): 2#1d20 4 9
2 Successes (3 with Deductive Reasoning)

Dorian listened to the conversation, not really following too much. He was mostly focused on the delicious breakfast. The food of Arrakis was rich and dry, it was a luxury to enjoy the fluffy moist bread and juicy fruit preserves. Maybe after he sated his hunger he would be more involved.
-----
LA8, Knowledge is Knowledge, Understand 4 + Faith 6, TN 10: 2#1d20 19 15
Failed 0 success vs 1 difficulty

Bomilcar Thorvald wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 27, 2021 7:39 pm

"Never heard," he replied.

D8 LA, Understand + Truth, TN 10: 2#1d20 14 20
Failed, 1 complication

Because of course

Bom was sure she said 'distress'. When he focused on food, he focused on food.

Cuyler Gray wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 27, 2021 7:45 pm

"Oh, he's a messenger." she smiled. "I should have known."


- - -
Dipping into the Well [LA8], Understand (6)/Truth (8): 2#1d20 4 9
2 Successes (3 with Deductive Reasoning)

"We can't delay. Cielago need time to return." Mapes insisted. She looked at the eating men with some disapproval. "How do we get out?"

And he did love food. The preserves were amazing. He offered Cuyler a thumbs up.

He looks to Mapes. "Join you? Or too loud?" he asks, curious and hopeful to spend more time learning by observing Fremen.

"One quiet one should come with me. The rest can stay until later." She looked at Bom with a sceptical expression, wondering if he was a quiet one even approximately.

"I am not very quiet by nature, but the Harkonnens do seem to have taken a fancy to me, so I could make a scene somewhere while you go off to make the arrangements and then another scene when it is time for our people to go off."

"I can't say I'm quiet either." Cuyler shook her head. "Not the way you likely mean."