Стража! Стража!

           "Andnowyoujuststandaside,lady,because-"

           Astreakofgreenfireblastedoutofthebackoftheshed,passedafootovertheheadsofthemob,andburnedacharredrosetteinthewoodworkoverthedoor.

           Thencameavoicethatwasahoneyedpurrofsheerdeadlymenace.

           "ThisisLordMountjoyQuickfangWinterforthIV,thehottestdragoninthecity.Itcouldburnyourheadcleanoff."

           CaptainVimeslimpedforwardfromtheshadows.

           Asmallandextremelyfrightenedgoldendragonwasclampedfirmlyunderonearm.Hisotherhandhelditbythetail.

           Therioterswatchedit,hypnotised.

           "NowIknowwhatyou’rethinking,"Vimeswenton,softly."You’rewondering,afterallthisexcitement,hasitgotenoughflameleft?And,y’know,Iain’tsosuremyself..."

           Heleanedforward,sightingbetweenthedragon’sears,andhisvoicebuzzedlikeaknifeblade:

           "Whatyou’vegottoaskyourselfis:AmIfeelinglucky?"

           Theyswayedbackwardsasheadvanced.

           "Well?"hesaid."Areyoufeelinglucky?"

           ForafewmomentstheonlysoundwasLordMount-joyQuickfangWinterforthIV’sstomachrumblingominouslyasfuelsloshedintohisflamechambers.

           "Nowlook,er,"saidtheleader,hiseyesfixedhypnoticallyonthedragon’shead,"there’snocallforanythinglikethat-"

           "Infacthemightjustdecidetoflareoffallbyhimself,"saidVimes."Theyhavetodoittostopthegasbuildingup.Itbuildsupwhentheygetnervous.And,y’know,Ireckonyou’vemadethemallprettynervousnow."