Стража! Стража!

           Andothershavecommandthrustuponthem,andthesergeantwasnowincludedinthiscategoryandwasn’tveryhappyaboutit.

           Anyminutenow,heknew,hewasgoingtohavetosaythatitwastimetheywentoutonpatrol.Hedidn’twanttogooutonpatrol.Hewantedtofindanicesub-basementsomewhere.Butnobblyessobligay-ifhewasincharge,hehadtodoit.

           Itwasn’tthelonelinessofcommandthatwasbotheringhim.Itwasthebeing-fried-aliveofcommandthatwasgivinghimproblems.

           HewasalsoprettysurethatunlesstheycameupwithsomethingaboutthisdragonverysoonthenthePatricianwasgoingtobeunhappy.AndwhenthePatricianwasunhappy,hebecameverydemocratic.Hefoundintricateandpainfulwaysofspreadingthatun-happinessasfaraspossible.Responsibility,thesergeantthought,wasaterriblething.Sowasbeinghorriblytortured.Asfarashecouldsee,thetwofactswererapidlyheadingtowardsoneanother.

           AndthushewasterriblyrelievedwhenasmallcoachpulledupoutsidetheYard.Itwasveryold,andbattered.Therewasafadedcoatofarmsonthedoor.Paintedontheback,andrathernewer,wasthelittlemessage:WhinnyIfYouLoveDragons.

           Outofit,wincingashegotdown,steppedCaptainVimes.FollowinghimwasthewomanknowntothesergeantasMadSybilRamkin.Andfinally,hoppingdownobedientlyontheendofitslead,wasasmall-

           Thesergeantwastoonervoustotakeaccountofactualsize.