Children of Dune

How it opens

Before dawn in Sietch Tabr, Stilgar, Naib of the sietch and guardian of the orphaned twins of Paul Atreides, checks on the sleeping children. He weighs killing the twins, then decides against it out of loyalty. The twins, Leto and Ghanima, are nine years old and were born with their ancestors' memories, and they dress in fine capes to meet their grandmother, the Lady Jessica, who returns from Caladan that day. Their aunt Alia, the Regent, warns them to be careful and leaves to bring Jessica back from the spaceport.

Who you meet early

• StilgarStilgar is Naib of Sietch Tabr and guardian of the twins of Paul Atreides and Chani, his own kinswoman. He often inspects their quarters at night.
• Leto Atreides IILeto, the son of Paul Atreides and Chani, is nine years old and was born with the memories of his ancestors. He and his twin sister Ghanima sit in the Royal Council and live in Sietch Tabr under Stilgar's guard.
• Ghanima AtreidesGhanima is Leto's twin sister and the daughter of Paul Atreides and Chani. She greets her aunt Alia in the Chakobsa language by calling herself a spoil of war, the meaning of her own name.
• Alia AtreidesAlia, sister of Paul Atreides and aunt of the twins, rules as Regent. She goes to the spaceport to meet her mother, the Lady Jessica, and warns the twins to be careful what they do that day.
• HarahHarah, one of Stilgar's wives, is among the attendants who serve the twins in Sietch Tabr. She says the Lady Jessica was once the Reverend Mother of the Fremen and that she knows Jessica's ways.