Стража! Стража!

           "Listen,"snappedtheSupremeGrandMaster,"they’llacceptanything!They’llseeithappen!Peoplewillbesokeentoseetheboywin,theywon’tthinktwiceaboutit!Dependuponit!Now...letuscommence..."

           Heconcentrated.

           Yes,itwaseasier.Easiereverytime.Hecouldfeelthescales,feeltherageofthedragonashereachedintotheplacewherethedragonswentandtookcontrol.

           Thiswaspower,anditwashis.

           SergeantColonwinced."Ow."

           "Don’tbeabigsofty,"saidLadyRamkincheerfully,tighteningthebandagewithawell-practisedskillhandeddownthroughmanygenerationsofRamkinwomenfolk."Hehardlytouchedyou."

           "Andhe’sverysorry,"saidCarrotsharply."Showthesergeanthowsorryyouare.Goon."

           "Oook,"saidtheLibrarian,sheepishly.

           "Don’tlethimkissme!"squeakedColon.

           "DoyouthinkpickingsomeoneupbytheiranklesandbouncingtheirheadonthefloorcomesundertheheadingofStrikingaSuperiorOfficer?"saidCarrot.

           "I’mnotpressingcharges,me,"saidthesergeanthurriedly.

           "Canwegeton?"saidVimesimpatiently."We’regoingtoseeifErrolcansniffoutthedragon’slair.LadyRamkinthinksit’sgottobeworthatry."

           "Youmeansetadeepholewithspring-loadedsides,tripwires,whirlingknifebladesdrivenbywaterpower,brokenglassandscorpions,tocatchathief,Captain?"saidthesergeantdoubtfully."Ow!"

           "Yes,wedon’twanttolosethescent,"saidLadyRamkin."Stopbeingabigbaby,Sergeant.