“Is that not a safe place’?” Siona asked.
“It is safe.”
Siona looked at Idaho. “Order her to take us to Goygoa.”
Without knowing why he complied, Idaho said: “Take us to that place.”
Inmeir turned then and her features, which Idaho had thought a square block of non-emotion during the night, revealed the clear evidence of some deep feeling. Her mouth was drawn down into a scowl. A nerve twitched at the corner of her right eye.
“Not Goygoa, Commander,” Inmeir said. “There are better…”
“Did the God Emperor tell you to take us to a specific place?” Siona demanded.
Inmeir glared her anger at this interruption, but did not look directly at Siona. “No, but He…”
“Then take us to this Goygoa,” Idaho said.
Inmeir jerked her attention back to the ‘thopter’s controls and Idaho was thrown against Siona as the craft banked sharply and flew toward a round pocket nestled in the green hills.
Idaho peered over Inmeir’s shoulder to took at their destination. At the very center of the pocket lay a village built of the same black stones as the surrounding fences. Idaho saw orchards on some of the slopes above the village, terraced gardens rising in steps toward a small saddle where hawks could be seen gliding on the day’s first updrafts.
Looking at Siona, Idaho asked: “What is this Goygoa?”
“You will see.”
Inmeir set the ‘thopter into a shallow glide which brought them to a gentle landing on a flat stretch of grass at the edge of the village. One of the Fish Speakers opened the door on the village side. Idaho’s nostrils were immediately assaulted by a heady mixture of aromas-crushed grass, animal droppings, the acridity of cooking fires. He slipped out of the ‘thopter and looked up a village street where people were emerging from their houses to stare at the visitors. Idaho saw an older woman in a long green dress bend over and whisper something to a child who immediately turned and went dashing away up the street.
“Do you like this place?” Siona asked. She dropped down beside him.
“It appears pleasant.”
Siona looked at Inmeir as the pilot and the other Fish Speakers joined them on the grass. “When do we go back to Orin?”
“You do not go back,” Inmeir said. “My orders are to take you to the Citadel. The Commander goes back.”
“I see.” Siona nodded. “When will we leave?”
“At dawn tomorrow. I will see the village leader about quarters.” Inmeir strode off into the village.
“Goygoa,” Idaho said. “That’s a strange name. I wonder what this place was in the Dune days?”
“I happen to know,” Siona said. “It is on the old charts as Shuloch, which means ‘haunted place.’ The Oral History says great crimes were committed here before all of the inhabitants were wiped out.”
“Jacurutu,” Idaho whispered, recalling the old legends of the water stealers. He glanced around, looking for the evidence of dunes and ridges; there was nothing-only two older men with placid faces returning with lnmeir. The men wore faded blue trousers and ragged shirts. Their feet were bare.
“Did you know this place?” Siona asked.
“Only as a name in a legend.”
“Some say there are ghosts,” she said, “but I do not believe
Inmeir stopped in front of Idaho and motioned the two barefooted men to wait behind her. “The quarters are poor but adequate,” she said, “unless you would care to stay in one of the private residences.” She turned and looked at Siona as she said this.
“We will decide later,” Siona said. She took Idaho’s arm. “The Commander and I wish to stroll through Goygoa and admire the sights.”
Inmeir shaped her mouth to speak, but remained silent.
Idaho allowed Siona to lead him past the peering faces of the two local men.
“I will send two guards with you,” Inmeir called out.
Siona stopped and turned. “Is it not safe in Goygoa?”
“It is very peaceful here,” one of the men said.
“Then we will not need guards,’ Siona said. “Have them guard the ‘thopter.”
Again, she led Idaho toward the village.
“All right,” Idaho said, disengaging his arm from Siona’s grasp. “What is this place’.'”