Стража! Стража!

           Manyofthefaceswereattachedtobodiesholdingafearsomearrayofhomelyweaponsthathadbeenhandeddownfromgenerationtogenerationforcenturies,oftenwithsomeforce.

           FromhisperchontheroofoftheWatchHouseVimescouldseethewizardsliningtherooftopsoftheUniversity,andthegangsofopportunisthoard-researcherswaitinginthestreets,shovelsattheready.Ifthedragonreallydidhaveabedsomewhereinthecity,thenitwouldbesleepingonthefloortomorrow.

           FromsomewherebelowcamethecryofCut-me-own-ThroatDibbler,oroneofhiscolleagues,sellinghotsausages.Vimesfeltasuddensurgeofcivicpride.Therehadtobesomethingrightaboutacitizenrywhich,whenfacedwithcatastrophe,thoughtaboutsellingsausagestotheparticipants.

           Thecitywaited.Afewstarscameout.

           Colon,NobbyandCarrotwerealsoontheroof.ColonwassulkingbecauseVimeshadforbiddenhimtousehisbowandarrow.

           Theseweren’tencouragedinthecity,sincetheheftandthrowofalongbow’sarrowcouldsenditthroughaninnocentbystanderahundredyardsawayratherthantheinnocentbystanderatwhomitwasaimed.

           "That’sright,"saidCarrot,"theProjectileWeapons(CivicSafety)Act,1634."

           "Don’tyoukeeponquotingallthatsortofstuff,"snappedColon."Wedon’thaveanyofthemlawsanymore!That’salloldstuff!It’sallmorewossnamenow.Pragmatic."

           "Lawornolaw,"saidVimes,"Isayputitaway."

           "ButCaptain,Iwasadabhandatthis!"protestedColon.