It has been eight years. The war is going well. The Atreides and Harkonnen are now well into their deepest reserves; they scrounge for material, resources, men, anything to keep their heads above the sand. Two threats reduced to famished beggars, for the price of one circumscribed war. The spice is flowing. It's all that matters.
It is in our interest to draw it out for longer, but as appointed Judge of the Change, I have too few opportunities to leave Arrakis and meet with the Emperor myself. I don't have his ear as often as I once did. Influence requires careful and continuous maintenance, and I worry that for each minute that I do not advise him, someone else slithers closer. As long as I keep Arrakis under control, I still have his favors; nonetheless, we must play our cards well.