TxD’s Reviews > Dune Messiah > Status Update

Ch 24: p327-336.

Duncan looks out over the desert. Paul has wandered, as the Fremen tradition demands. To be taken by the desert. Stilgar and Duncan speak pleasantries, as they accept Paul’s fate. Leaving behind a legacy. They retreat to comfort Alia. Duncan and Alia profess their mutual love, and take shelter together for an evening. End.

After Scytale get’s merked. Chani’s body is sent for moisture reclamation for the tribe. Bijaz appears, offering her resurrection. Paul orders Duncan to slay Bijaz, lest he be tempted to accept such an offer.

Ch 23: p304-326.

Paul and Hayt reflect outside. Paul knows of Chani’s death in childbirth as it occurs, and triggers Hayt’s treadstone whilst doing so. Hayt succeeds in breaking the programming. Paul finds Chani has birthed twins, boy and girl, when we only foresaw a son. Scytale enters, offering Paul Chani’s resurrection. Paul throws a knife into Scytale’s head, while sharing consciousness with his newborn.

Ch 22: p295-303.

Chani, Hayt, Paul, and others reach Sietch Tabir. She is due to give birth soon. She reminisces growing up there, and her suspicions towards Hayt, who shows concern and care for Chani. She goes into labor, Hayt summons attendants to care for her. His worry for her catalyzes a self analysis within himself. Using mentat abilities, he determines that Bijaz has placed a subconscious trigger. Treadstone.

Ch 21: p282-294.

Hayt watches over Alia as she walks about a garden, waiting for her heavy dose of melange to kick into effect. Hayt approaches in concern of a potential overdose. Alia is set on referring to Hayt as Duncan. As she succumbs to the spice dose, Hayt calls for medical aid. Alia and Hayt express their love for each other. Alia’s vision reveals Paul’s downfall, and a her future child (like herself).

Ch 20: p270-281.

Hayt interrogates Bijaz, trying to get info from him. Bijaz claims they both come from the same production tank from Tleilaxu experiments. Bijaz reveals he is sent to trigger Hayt to become Duncan Idaho upon a voice command, meant to slay Paul at a future time. Hayt finds himself physically submitted by Bijaz’s voice. Upon revealing the plan, Hayt is given a command and forgets the conversation.

Ch 19: p249-269.

Chani and Paul converse in their bedchamber. Devastated by the attack, Paul assures her of the path. He alludes to welcoming a child from Chani, while Chani questions his seemingly forgetfulness regarding her bearing twins.

Paul, Stilgar, and Alia take council with Korba. Accusing him in taking part in the insurgency. This is a ruse to uncover traitor Fremen amongst themselves. Stilgar wavers.

Ch 18: p241-248.

Paul rendezvous with a Fremen security group just outside. Upon leaving the building, a “rock burner” (atomic weapon) is used and completely destroys the home they just exited. Paul and the forces manage to take cover, but not without avoiding being permanently blinded by the weapon’s radiation. Paul uses his manifested visions to navigate. His eyes no longer function, but he can see.

Ch 17: p226-240.

Paul follows a guide from Alia’s rite to a Arrakeen suburb. Otheym’s house. A Fadakyn from Sieth Tabir days. They reveal to Paul that a group is plotting against him, literally down the street from their current location. This group is part of Paul’s vision. They offer him a dwarf name Bijaz “a Tleilax toy” who is quick spoken, goofy, and prescient. Paul and Bijaz depart.

Ch 16: p212-225.

Paul equips a disguise and attends one of Alia’s rites. Being mindful of taking the perspective of other pilgrims. He reflects on his helplessness, taking on a role that transcends himself as a person. Alia ends the rite abruptly, Paul believes it’s because of his presence, and she sees paths he cannot. “She saw the alternatives,too.”