Order of 9/Sayings of Sand and Steel

Sayings of Sand and Steel

A Combat Primer of the Order of Nine, Derived from Fremen Tradition and the Wisdom of the Deep Desert

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"He who fights the desert loses. He who listens, wins."

— Naib Ghanek of Sietch Yansu, last seen crossing the Deep Wastes on foot

Annotation by Bronso Dekomos: "Ghanek's silence spoke louder than his blade. His fate is unknown, but his lesson remains the Order's first caution."

"A still body draws no worm. A still mind draws no death."

— Sayyadina Ahel Shadir, before the Trial of Silence under Broken Dune

Commentary by Trilgar: "Stillness is the tactic. Quiet is the survival."

"Your first enemy is thirst. Your second is fear. Only then may you speak of blades."

— Rokhal of the Dune-guard, war instructor of Shamal’s Hollow

Annotation by Kraetanos: "It is said Rokhal trained with no water for a week, to know his enemy better."

"The knife remembers every hand it has served. Be worthy of its memory."

— From the Litany of Blades, recited during a Chrysknife inheritance ritual

Commentary by Psilo: "A weapon is never just a tool. It's a ledger of choices."

"Strike once. The desert allows no second breath."

— Commander Felek t’Mahdi, fallen in the First Harkonnen Skirmish

Annotation by Bronso: "Felek's final strike turned the battle, even as he fell. Precision is immortality."

"When the wind erases your tracks, thank it. When it does not, fear it."

— Desert Scout Brevek, as recorded by Bronso Dekomos in Notes of the Nine

Commentary by Bear: "You can cover your path, but you can't erase your scent. Worms are honest trackers."

"Speed means nothing to the worm. Silence means everything."

— Old Lehran of Sietch Tabr, a trainer of children in sand-walk discipline

Annotation by Bronso: "Old Lehran's steps taught me the rhythm of survival. Listen before you walk."

"The dunes have no sides. What hides behind you can also wait ahead."

— Tali’seth the Blind, seer of the Northern Crescent Ridge

Commentary by Milk: "In every direction lies danger. Pick one anyway."

"A cry for help is a trap—unless it comes from your own."

— Zahir of the Nine, to fresh initiates during escort training

Annotation by Bronso: "Trust is the only true armor on Arrakis. Zahir bled for that truth."

"We do not chase shadows. We follow the heat they leave behind."

— Kraetanos, during the Third Hunt in Hagga Basin

Commentary by Bagel: "Kraet's hunts always started behind. They ended in silence."

"If your plan cannot fit into a whisper, it will not survive the sand."

— Mentat Vorr Shihade, adviser to the Order of Nine

Annotation by Zahir: "Noise invites death. The best plans echo only in the mind."

"In the open, you are prey. Beneath the sand, you are brother to the worm."

— Ancient Fremen Teaching, etched in bone along the Path of Silt

Commentary by 2Shot: "Brother to the worm, yes. But don’t forget: it has no brothers."