Стража! Стража!

           "Hangon,hangonaminute,"saidVimes."Therewasthisdragon.Itwasrightoverus..."

           Thememoryroseupandhithimlikeazombiewithagrudge.

           "Youallright,Captain?"

           -thetalons,outspread,wideasaman’sreach;theboomandthumpofthewings,biggerthansails;thestinkofchemicals,thegodsaloneknewwhatsort...

           Ithadbeensoclosehecouldseethetinyscalesonitslegsandtheredgleaminitseyes.Theyweremorethanjustreptileeyes.Theywereeyesyoucoulddrownin.

           Andthebreath,sohotthatitwasn’tlikefireatall,butsomethingalmostsolid,notburningthingsbutsmashingthemapart...

           Ontheotherhand,hewashereandalive.Hisleftsidefeltasthoughithadbeenhitwithanironbar,buthewasquitedefinitelyalive.

           "Whathappened?"hesaid.

           "ItwasyoungCarrot,"saidNobby."Hegrabbedyouandthesergeantandjumpedofftheroofjustbeforeitgotus."

           "Mysidehurts.Itmusthavegotme,"saidVimes.

           "No,Ireckonthatwaswhereyouhittheprivyroof,"saidNobby."Andthenyourolledoffandhitthewaterbutt."

           "WhataboutColon?Ishehurt?"

           "Nothurt.Notexactlyhurt.Helandedmoresortofsoftly.Himbeingsoheavy,hewentthroughtheroof.Talkaboutashortsharpshowerof-"

           "Andthenwhathappened?"

           "Well,wesortofmadeyoucomfy,andtheneveryonewentblunderingaboutandshoutingforthesergeant.Untiltheyfoundoutwherehewas,o’course,thentheyjuststoodwheretheywereandshouted.Andthenthiswomancomerunningupyelling,"saidNobby.