Castle Caladan and the nearby military barracks were abuzz with activity. Atreides soldiers drilled and packed for the big expedition, eager to depart. They cleaned their weapons and inventoried explosives and siege machines, making ready for an all-out battle.

To coordinate such a complex operation, they had prepared for months, and Duke Leto had ordered the House Guard to hold back no effort. He owed that much to Rhombur— and he would risk whatever was necessary.

Rhombur and Gurney could be dead by now. Leto had heard nothing, no word, no calls for help, no news of success. Or they could already be in the middle of a brewing revolution. After the Heighliner mishap, the pair of infiltrators had vanished into resounding silence. There had been no further word from Ix. Even so, we will do our utmost. And hope.

But if Rhombur did not succeed and Atreides troops were defeated by the Tleilaxu and the Emperor’s Sardaukar, then Leto would suffer enormous repercussions here. Caladan itself might be forfeit. Thufir Hawat was uncharacteristically nervous.

Leto, though, was completely committed. In his mind, he had already passed the point of no return. He would take the gamble, throw every effort into this fight, even if it left peaceful Caladan vulnerable for a short while. It was the only way he could restore Rhombur, and restore his own heart of honor.

The plans were proceeding like a juggernaut.

Amid the thousands of decisions that needed to be made, Leto avoided watching the final steps and went instead to the main docks below the Castle. As the noble leader of his Great House, he had duties at home— more enjoyable ones, though he wished Jessica could be with him.

The large fishing fleet was returning, boats that had been trolling around the reefs during the past two weeks of hot weather. Once each year, the fleet came in with their seasonal catch of grund, small bluish-silver fish that were captured by the netful. As part of a traditional festival, the delicious grund were washed and salted, then boiled in large batches. The tiny fish were spread out on plank tables, and people feasted on them. The Duke loved the Caladan delicacy as much as the coarsest fisherman did.

Rhombur had even more of a taste for grund than Leto did, and this was the first such celebration the Ixian Prince had missed in years. Leto tried to drive away his sense of foreboding. The waiting had ground down his patience.

Away from the bustling preparations for war, he stood at the end of a dock, watching the first trawlers approach. Already, crowds had gathered on the shingle beach, while merchants and chefs hurried to set up tables, cauldrons, and stalls in the old village plaza.

Leto heard minstrels playing along the shore. The music made him smile and reminded him of how often Rhombur and Gurney had practiced their balisets side by side, trying to outdo one another with outrageous lyrics and satirical songs.

But even though the Duke tried to enjoy a moment of peace, Duncan Idaho and Thufir Hawat spotted him and approached through the dense, noisy crowd. “You should have personal guards with you at all times, my Duke,” the Mentat warned.

“You need to answer questions and make decisions about weaponry,” Duncan added. “The fleet is scheduled to depart very soon.” As Swordmaster, he would lead the Atreides military forces to Ix, just as he had commanded the strike against Beakkal.

In Leto’s position, the head of House Atreides was required to avoid the actual fighting, though he wished he could be at the head of his troops. Instead, following Thufir’s advice, Leto would act as the political spearhead on Kaitain, where he would make the formal announcement explaining his actions. “That is the job of a Duke,” the grizzled Mentat had insisted.

Now, Leto gazed up the steep roads that led to the top of the cliff. From this angle, he could see the top levels of the Castle. “This is a good time for a major assault. While Beakkal festers in that awful plague, Emperor Shaddam is distracted with his own schemes. We’ll crush the Tleilaxu on Ix before he knows what we’re doing.”

“I’ve seen images of those jungles,” Duncan said. “No matter what excuses Shaddam makes, I don’t doubt for a moment that he intended for it to happen.”

Leto nodded. “Destroying Beakkal’s ecosystem goes far beyond any revenge I could have demanded for their crimes. Still… the situation on Beakkal gives us another opportunity.” He watched the first large fishing boats tie up to the docks. A rush of eager helpers swarmed forward to grab ropes and help steady the grund nets.

“I provided generous medical aid to Richese after my cousin attacked them. Now it is time to show the Landsraad that House Atreides can be benevolent to those who are not my relatives.” He smiled. “Thufir, before our primary forces depart secretly for Ix, I want you to gather a fleet of cargo ships. Accompany them with a military escort. I, Duke Leto Atreides, will send relief supplies to plague-ravaged Beakkal and ask nothing in return.”

Duncan was appalled by the suggestion. “But Leto! They tried to sell your ancestors to the Tleilaxu.”

“And we need our House Guard to stay here to defend Caladan while our forces strike Ix,” Hawat added. “This campaign has already depleted our resources.”

“Send only a minimal military escort, Thufir, just enough to show that we’re serious. As for the Beakkalis, we’ve already punished them for their poor judgment at the Senasar War Memorial. We have nothing to gain by holding a grudge against an entire population. The Beakkalis have seen how hard we can be. Now it is time to show them our benevolent side. My mother— who is not wrong all of the time— reminded me that a leader must show compassion as well as firmness.”

He pressed his lips together, remembering conversations he’d had with Rhombur about leadership and how political considerations, though important, must be balanced with the needs of common citizens.

“Mark my words,” Leto said, “I do this for the people of Beakkal, not for their politicians. This is not a reward for the actions of the Prime Magistrate, nor is it to be construed as forgiveness or even acceptance of an apology.”

Thufir Hawat frowned. “Does this mean you do not wish me to accompany our troops to Ix, my Duke?”

Leto gave his old advisor a sly smile. “I’ll need your diplomatic skills at Beakkal, Thufir. There will be tense moments when you reach the Imperial blockade. The planet is under strict quarantine, but I’m betting that the Emperor has not given explicit orders to destroy anyone who makes no attempt to land. Exploit that gray area.”

Both the Mentat and the Swordmaster looked at him as if he had gone insane. Leto continued, “You’re sure to draw the attention of the Sardaukar and maybe of Shaddam himself. In fact, it could be quite a spectacle.”

Beside him, Duncan brightened as he understood the real plan. “Of course, a diversion! The Emperor can’t fail to notice such a dramatic crisis. While Thufir faces down the Imperial blockade, no one will think of paying attention elsewhere, and it will draw all the Sardaukar there. We will have our forces in position on Ix before anyone can send word to Kaitain. The Sardaukar on Ix will be operating without orders. The relief mission is just a diversion.”

“Exactly. But one that could do some good for the people of Beakkal, while increasing my standing in the Landsraad. After I throw Atreides support to the military operation on Ix, I will require all the allies I can summon.”

On the crowded docks, huge cranes groaned as they hoisted bulging fish-filled nets out of holds. In the harbor beyond, trawlers lined up, awaiting their turn; the port facilities could not accommodate them all at once.

When Duncan hurried up the hill to the barracks of the House Guard, Leto remained behind to participate in the festival. Hawat insisted on staying with his Duke as bodyguard.

Load after load of swollen nets crammed with millions of the silvery grund were lifted to shore. The odor of fish filled the air. Muscular laborers hefted the squirming catch into vats and tubs filled with salt and water, while chefs used slotted shovels to scoop out the grund from the vats into steaming cauldrons of seasoned broth.

Leto thrust his arms up to his elbows into one of the tubs, grabbing the little fish and passing them to the helpers down the conveyer line. Everyone cheered his contribution. He loved this part of his work.

Thufir Hawat strolled stiffly through the dense crowds, constantly on the alert for any assassin who might be lurking among the fisherfolk.

Leto, meanwhile, sat at an outdoor plank table to enjoy a savory meal of grund. The people applauded as he stuffed a handful into his mouth, and then they all joined in the feast.

It was the last moment of peace he would experience for some time.