As Alia becomes totally possessed she also has to deal with rebel Fremen. Ghanima, who survived an attack on her by House Corrino, is now engaged to Farad'n Corrino. Unexpectedly, Leto II returns from the desert being believed dead. While in the desert his body has absorbed some sandtrout, slowly mutating him into a sandworm. Alia resists possession by the baron while Irulan declines Jessica's offer to return with her to Caladan.
