Ready to face another turning point in his life, Duke Leto marched into the Landsraad Hall of Oratory. Even with the Emperor off on some war game, Leto was prepared to deliver what might well be the most important speech of his noble career.

He recalled the last time he had appeared before this august assembly. He had been very young, the newly installed Duke of House Atreides following the untimely death of his father. After the overthrow of Ix by the Tleilaxu, Leto had been brash, decrying the invaders and condemning the Landsraad for ignoring the pleas of Earl Vernius. Instead of being impressed, the representatives had laughed at the immature young nobleman… much as they had scoffed at the protestations of Ambassador Pilru for so many years.

But this afternoon, as Duke Leto led his proud procession down the entrance promenade, delegates cheered and shouted his name. Applause swelled in the vast Hall, making him feel stronger, more sure of himself.

Though they had no means of communicating with one another now, the disparate parts of his overall plan had to proceed with perfect timing. Already, Thufir Hawat had made his successful move against the blockade at Beakkal, and the separate attack would proceed on Ix, even without confirmation from the two infiltrators. Leto knew his own role here on Kaitain. If the scheme went as planned, if Rhombur and Gurney were still alive, the liberation of Ix would be complete and the new Earl Vernius would be secure in his ancestral home before anyone could object….

But only if everything happened at once.

Immediately before entering the Hall of Oratory, Leto received a rushed notification from one of the nameless Bene Gesserit Sisters who fluttered like ravens around the Imperial court. “Your concubine Jessica has gone into labor. She is being cared for by the best Medical Sisters. There is nothing to fear.” The Acolyte gave him a small smile along with a reflexive bow as she backed away. “Lady Anirul thought you might wish to know.”

Feeling unsettled, Leto strode toward the speaking platform. Jessica was about to have his child. He should be with her in the birthing room. The Bene Gesserit might not approve of a man’s presence there, yet under other circumstances, without all these pressing affairs of state, he would have defied them.

But this was a matter of protocol; his speech had to be given now, while Duncan Idaho led the troops into the caverns of Ix.

As the court crier read his name and titles, Leto tapped his fingers on the lectern and waited for the cheers to die down. Finally, a silence of expectation blanketed the chamber, as if the delegates suspected he might have something interesting— and even bold— to say.

His popularity and stature in the Landsraad had been building for years. No other nobleman, including those much wealthier than he, would have risked such an impetuous and unexpected move.

“You all know the plight of Beakkal, ravaged by a botanical plague that threatens to destroy its ecosystem. Although I had my own dispute with the Prime Magistrate, that matter has been settled to my satisfaction. My heart, like yours, aches for the suffering Beakkali people. Therefore, I have dispatched ships filled with relief supplies, in hopes that Emperor Shaddam will allow us to pass the blockade and deliver vital aid.”

Applause rippled through the Hall, reflecting admiration mixed with surprise.

“But that is only one small part of my activities. More than twenty years ago, I appeared before you to protest the illegal Tleilaxu conquest of Ix, the proper fief of House Vernius— friend to House Atreides and friend to many of you.

“Receiving no help from the Emperor, Earl Dominic Vernius chose to go renegade. He and his wife were hunted down while the vile Tleilaxu invaders secured their hold on Ix. Since that time Prince Rhombur, the rightful heir, has lived under my protection on Caladan. For years, the Ixian Ambassador-in-Exile has implored you for help, but not one of you lifted a finger in assistance.” He waited, watched, and listened to the uncomfortable stirring in the cavernous hall.

“Today, I have taken unilateral action to correct that injustice.”

He let the ominous statement sink in with his listeners, then continued in a resounding voice. “Even now, as I speak to you, Atreides military forces are attacking Ix, with the intention of restoring Prince Rhombur Vernius to his proper place. Our aim is to drive out the Tleilaxu and liberate the Ixian people.”

A gasp rippled through the throng, followed by anxious, murmurous conversation. None of them had expected this.

He forced a brave smile and changed his approach. “Under oppressive and inept Tleilaxu rule, the production of essential Ixian technology has drastically decreased. The Landsraad, CHOAM, and the Spacing Guild all know this. The Imperium needs good Ixian machines. Every nobleman here will benefit from the restoration of House Vernius. Let no one deny it.” He looked around the sea of faces, daring anyone to disagree.

“I came to Kaitain to speak with the Padishah Emperor, but he is preoccupied with another military matter.” Leto saw mostly blank faces and shrugs, but a few nods from those who seemed to know something. “I have no doubt that my dear cousin Shaddam will support the restoration of House Vernius to its former position in the Imperium. As Duke Atreides, I have taken action for Justice, for the Imperium, and for my friend, the Prince of Ix.”

As Leto concluded, waves of reaction passed through the Landsraad Hall. He heard cheers, a few angry shouts— and, above all, confusion. Finally, the tide turned. One by one, delegates rose and began to applaud. Within moments the Hall erupted in a standing ovation.

Waving and nodding to them in appreciation, Leto paused as he caught the gaze of a dignified, gray-haired man in the audience who had no impressive uniform or rank, no box or reserved seat: Ambassador Cammar Pilru. The Ixian representative looked up at Leto with something like reverence. And he began to weep.