Dune xix's Arc

Chapter 2 of 7

The first one showed up three days after Dune opened the marketplace. A figure in a torn coat hammered on the temple door above, shouting about needing sanctuary. Dune's tentacles coiled tight as they climbed the ladder to peer through the crack. The woman pressed her face to the gap, eyes wild. Blood crusted her hands. Behind her on the temple steps sat a kraken skull, bone bleached white and teeth sharp as knives. "They're hunting me," she gasped. "I stole this from the wrong crew. Let me in. I'll trade anything." Dune studied the skull—valuable, sure, but desperation made people sloppy. Made them talk to feds when the pressure got too high. They could take the skull and turn her away. Safe choice. Smart choice. But the marketplace needed members, and everyone here started somewhere dark. Dune's tentacles unwound slowly. They opened the door just wide enough. "Bring the skull down. You get one test. Fail it, and you're bleeding in the street. Pass it, and we talk about what anything means." The woman nodded, frantic and grateful. Dune watched her descend, already planning how hard to push before they'd know if she'd break.