109.
Kill or be killed. Paul swallows hard and comes on guard.
The fighters clash again and again. Every time Paul proves
untouchable, but fails to strike a killing blow.
STILGAR (CONT'D)
(quietly, to Jessica)
Is he toying with him?
JESSICA
(under her breath)
No. Paul has never killed a man.
Stilgar’s eyes widen as he understands what he’s seeing.
Jamis makes a savage, desperate run at Paul. He leaps,
spinning in the air -- and as he spins his knife switches
hands, striking from a new angle --
But Paul has seen the switch. He too switches knife hands --
blocking Jamis’s knife arm with his empty hand. With the
other he drives his knife under Jamis’s ribs into his heart.
A gout of blood slashes across Paul’s body.
Paul steps away like a matador as Jamis crashes to the floor.
A few Fremen rush in, wrapping Jamis in a plasticine sheet.
132C MINUTES LATER - DAWN (BEFORE SUNRISE) 132C
The light of daybreak grows stronger in the East. Chani looks
at Paul with something like awe.
The Fremen flock around Paul, congratulating him, touching
him. Marveling at his skill. A glow of pride creeping across
Paul’s face. This combat is sacred to them. He is accepted.
STILGAR
You are one of us now. A life for a
life. Come with us to Sietch Tabr.
The night is flown: We must travel
under the sun.
Jessica is troubled. Seeing her son become a killer, a
tribesman among these savage people...
JESSICA
Paul needs to get offworld. You
must have ways. Smugglers. Ships...
PAUL
No.
109.
