Arriving at the large west flight pad that had been emptied, Jack saw Duke Leto, Thufir, Jessica, Duncan, and Guards standing in wait for the arrival of the envoy.
Leto glanced back at Jack's arrival and nodded.
He stared off into the distance of Arrakeen.
The west flight pad had been cleared long before their arrival.
No workers. No traffic. Just wind and open stone of Arrakeen.
Thufir stood a few steps behind the Duke, eyes half shut, but not resting.
Duncan's hand rested near his blade, casual enough to pass for discipline.
Leto said nothing. He hadn't since they arrived.
A large black dot appeared in the distant horizon and a few seconds passed as the envoy approached closer.
Arriving over the west pad, it began descending, carrying with it heavy winds.
Jack watched them touch down, his eyes glancing towards the large insignia of House Corrino.
'At least 10 battalions could fit in this ship...' he thought as he glanced at the large-scale design of the entire ship.
The shuttle gates to the large ship opened with a loud hiss releasing trapped air within the sockets as it slowly began descending to the ground.
Moments later, as soon as the slope hit the ground, Jack's gaze moved to the figures gathering at the ramp.
Guild. Bene Gesserit. Sardaukar.
'It feels like they are trying to intimidate us more than resolve,' Jack thought to himself.
'But then again, Shaddam did try to destroy House Atreides, either he is aware we have nothing, or he is being overconfident... but I doubt the Emperor who has ruled for the past 40 years would make a move out of overconfidence' Jack thought to himself as his gaze landed on Mohiam, the Emperor's truth sayer walking down the ramp behind The Navigators guild group who walked in front of the Bene Gesserit sisters.
The Herald of Conflict led them, their faces hidden under the spice-stained glass and bodies hidden within the red and white robes signifying the Navigation guild.
The Bene Gesserit sisters followed behind her, their faces hidden behind veils, covered head to toe in black clothing.
There were a lot of Sardaukar soldiers following as guards to the Bene Gesserit and Spacing Guild members.
The Spacing Guild was the first to land on Arrakeen. Walking forward, they greeted Duke Leto.
"Greetings Duke Leto, we come here on behalf of Emperor Shaddam IV's request as mediators between the Truthsayer Mohiam of the Bene Gesserit and you" he said with his arm on his heart and a partial bow.
Leto nodded back at him.
As he stepped aside, Mohiam walked forward.
Glancing at her, Leto almost frowned, an anger flaring up in his chest.
'How convenient for her to visit now,' Leto thought to himself as he stared coldly at Mohiam.
"Greetings, Duke Leto," Mohiam said, extending her hand.
Leto did not move immediately.
The wind howled softly across the open pad, the bright sun shining down on them.
Behind her, Sardaukar standing guard.
Eyes all around them.
Refusal would not be read as caution.
It would be read as defiance.
He gritted his teeth.
Leto stepped forward.
Their hands met.
"Let us move inside, lest the sun gets us before we can begin discussions," The Herald of Conflict said as sweat had already begun appearing on his brow.
Leto nodded as he turned around.
Thufir's eyes moved from Mohiam to Jessica. Jessica's face showed nothing.
As Mohiam and the representative of the Spacing guild began to follow Leto inside the palace.
Jack nudged Duncan lightly.
Duncan's eyes flicked toward him.
Jack didn't speak. Just shifted his gaze, Sardaukar.
Duncan gave the smallest nod.
As the Sardaukar were quietly following them, Duncan stepped in front of the Sardaukar in the lead.
"I am sorry, but you cannot enter" Duncan said, staring at him.
A moment of silence instantly filled the space as heads turned towards Duncan.
The Sardaukar soldier frowned, yet he did not slow down.
As the soldier was walking past him, Duncan's hand caught his arm.
Immediately, The Sardaukar's free hand dropped to his blade.
Duncan's eyes quickly moved as he saw the soldier's actions and he reacted.
His arm swung out, pressing down on the soldier's hand that was gripping the hilt, forcibly pushing the blade back into the scabbard.
"I would not advise that." Duncan said seriously.
"Enough." Mohiam's voice cut through the space.
The Sardaukar stilled.
"We are here to speak. Not posture."
A momentary pause spread on the field.
Then the soldier stepped back.
Duncan nodded and took a step back as well.
"Shall we proceed?" Mohiam asked glancing back at Leto.
"Let us proceed." Leto said with a nod.
Walking inside, they moved towards the Audience chamber.
Stepping inside, Jack glanced around.
It was dim.
The ceiling was high with pillars holding the roof up, no ornaments anywhere except the Atreides emblem at the far back end of the room, carved into the wall.
The center had a circular table with benches made from rock, just like the grey walls.
There were three benches around the table.
One in the center for Duke Leto himself.
One on the right for The Herald of Conflict.
And the remaining bench was reserved for Reverend Mother Mohiam.
Leto walked towards his chair and sat down. Jack, Jessica, and Thufir quietly followed and stood behind Leto.
The Herald of Conflict sat down on the right, the procession behind him quietly moving to stand behind him.
Similarly, Mohiam sat on her seat, with the Bene Gesserit sisters standing behind her.
"I, as The Herald of Conflict, officially declare the start of the discussion," He said as one of the representatives behind him handed him a large scroll of paper.
Another representative wearing all black activated a voice recorder.
Duke Leto glanced around the table.
Taking a deep breath, he began to speak.
"House Atreides has always upheld honour, yet the despicable House Harkonnen, led by Baron Harkonnen attacked without provocation."
'It's happening,' Jack took a deep breath.
His eyes glanced around the table.
'This discussion can not succeed, we must go to Landsraad.'
'The Landsraad is the only battlefield that matters.' Jack thought to himself.