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departed before having several long conversations with Griffin, and reaching an agreement with him about how both of them could best improve the fortunes of the family.
    Now, Griffin’s father came up behind him as he deciphered paragraphs of opaque bureaucratic language and history, much of which was desperately dry. The young man worked at the documents like a careful surgeon, dissecting the sections until he understood the labyrinthine nuances of government.
    Vergyl seemed amused to see his son so intent. “I used to study history when I was your age, and my grandfather Abulurd told me his stories, but I couldn’t bear how the official Corrino records talked about our family. I decided just to live my life. Best if those days are not revisited.”
    Griffin gestured toward the documents. “I’ve read enough about that particular past, Father, but now I’m analyzing something on a larger scale. Imperial politics is important to our future.” He stroked his chin. The pale brown hair of his mustache and goatee matched the hair on his head. He thought the facial hair made him look distinguished, giving him the appearance of someone to be taken seriously. “I’m studying the structure of the Landsraad, reading the charter. I want to take the test and be certified as Lankiveil’s official representative to the Landsraad Council.”
    Vergyl chuckled. “But we already have a proxy. There’s no need for you to travel all the way to Salusa Secundus for meetings.”
    Griffin fought back a flush of annoyance and stopped himself from snapping at his father. “I studied the trade agreement that was arranged by our purported proxy. It involves ninety-two planets, including Lankiveil—believe me, the agreement does not benefit us. It is going to cost Lankiveil and eighty-four other planets additional taxes, while eight planets that are already well-off are receiving real benefits. It looks to me like the proxy was paid off.”
    “You don’t know that for sure. I’ve met Nelson Treblehorn, and he seems like a nice fellow.”
    “Charming, yes. Effective on our behalf, no. Father, the first step in regaining respect for our family is to have direct representation in the Landsraad. I intend to journey to Salusa Secundus, where I can see the Landsraad Hall and look into the eyes of my beloved cousin, the Emperor. ”
    Several generations back, the Harkonnens and the Butler/Corrinos had been the same family, but now the leaders of the Imperium considered the Harkonnen name an embarrassment and never spoke of it. Griffin knew how his sister longed to remove the blot of shame caused by Vorian Atreides. Griffin felt the weight of the injustice committed against the family, too, and each of them played a part in the planned restoration. In addition to his business goals, Griffin was working to build political alliances, and one day he would travel to Salusa to claim Lankiveil’s rightful seat in the Landsraad Hall. He intended to earn Harkonnen importance.
    Now that all the League worlds and former Unallied Planets had been drawn together in the same net, the combined Imperium encompassed more than thirteen thousand worlds. But no business could possibly get done if that many separate planetary representatives had to address every bureaucratic measure before a vote could be taken. Proxies designated by Emperor Salvador collected dozens of loosely related worlds under a single umbrella and cast votes on behalf of their populations. It was considered a convenience (earning Imperial subsidies or other benefits), but not mandatory, and exceptions were allowed, at the expense of the benefits. As far as Griffin was concerned, the Imperial favors Lankiveil gained in exchange for the proxy relationship were so minimal as to be nonexistent.
    On Salusa Secundus, Griffin intended to speak for his planet, and for his family. Personally. With Valya becoming one of the skilled Sisters from the respected school on Rossak, and Griffin soon to be