Стража! Стража!

           Itwascertainlythetallest.Time,weatherandindifferentrepairshadgivenitagnarledappearance,likeatreethathasseentoomanythunderstorms.

           Hewastryingtorememberitsshape.Asinthecasewithmanythingsthataretotallyfamiliar,hehadn’treallylookedatitforyears.Nowhewastryingtoconvincehimselfthattheforestoflittleturretsandcrenellationsatitstoplookedjustthesametonightastheyhaddoneyesterday.

           Itwasgivinghimsomedifficulty.

           Withouttakinghiseyesoffit,hegrabbedSgtColon’sshoulderandgentlypointedhimintherightdirection.

           Hesaid,"Canyouseeanythingoddaboutthetopofthetower?"

           Colonstaredupforawhile,andthenlaughednervously."Well,itlookslikethere’sadragonsittingonit,doesn’tit?"

           "Yes.That’swhatIthought."

           "Only,only,onlywhenyousortoflookproperly,youcanseeit’sjustmadeupoutofshadowsandclumpsofivyandthat.Imean,ifyouhalf-closeoneeye,itlooksliketwooldwomenandawheelbarrow."

           Vimestriedthis."Nope,"hesaid."Itstilllookslikeadragon.Ahugeone.Sortofhunchedup,andlookingdown.Look,youcanseeitswingsfoldedup."

           "Begpardon,sir.That’sjustabrokenturretgivingtheeffect."

           Theywatcheditforawhile.

           ThenVimessaid,"Tellme,Sergeant-Iaskinaspiritofpureinquiry-whatdoyouthink’scausingtheeffectofapairofhugewingsunfurling?"

           Colonswallowed.

           "Ithinkthat’scausedbyapairofhugewings,sir,"hesaid.

           "Spoton,Sergeant."

           Thedragondropped.