Стража! Стража!

           Iknowit’scruel,butifhecan’tmanageittonightthenhe’sforthechoppy-chop.Survivalofthefittestandallthat,don’tyouknow."

           CaptainVimesmanagedtogetagriponhimself.Hewasclearlyinthepresenceofsomesex-crazedwould-bemurderess,insofarasanygendercouldbedeterminedunderthestrangelumpygarments.Ifitwasn’tfemale,thenreferencesto"it’smewhohasthetrickypart"gaverisetomentalimagesthatwouldhaunthimforsometimetocome.Heknewtherichdidthingsdifferently,butthiswasgoingtoofar.

           "Madam,"hesaidcoldly,"IamanofficeroftheWatchandImustwarnyouthatthecourseofactionyouaresuggestingbreaksthelawsofthecity-"andalsoofseveralofthemorestrait-lacedgods,headdedsilently-"andImustadviseyouthathisLordshipshouldbereleasedunharmedimmediately-"

           Thefigurestaredathiminastonishment.

           "Why?"itsaid."It’smybloodydragon."

           "Haveanotherdrink,not-CorporalNobby?"saidSergeantColonunsteadily.

           "IdonotmindifIdo,not-SgtColon,"saidNobby.

           Theyweretakinginconspicuosityseriously.ThatruledoutmostofthetavernsontheMorporksideoftheriver,wheretheywereverywellknown.NowtheywereinaratherelegantoneindowntownAnkh,wheretheywerebeingasunobtrusiveastheyknewhow.Theotherdrinkersthoughttheyweresomekindofcabaret.

           "Iwasthinking,"saidSgtColon.

           "What?"

           "Ifweboughtabottleortwo,wecouldgohomeandthenwe’dbereallyinconspicuous."

           Nobbygavethissomethought.