Стража! Стража!

           "Notnow,"Vimessaid.Hissidetwinged.Thenighthadbarelystartedandalreadyhefelttootired.

           Aslatesliddowntheroofandsmashedonthecobblesbesidehim.

           "Captain,"hissedSergeantColon.

           "What?"

           "It’sontheroof,Captain."

           Somethingaboutthesergeant’svoicegotthroughtoVimes.Itwasn’texcited.Itwasn’tfrightened.Itjusthadatoneofdull,leadenterror.

           Helookedup.Errolstartedtobounceupanddownunderhisarm.

           Thedragon-thedragon-waspeeringdowninterestedlyovertheguttering.Itsfacealonewastallerthanaman.Itseyeswerethesizeofverylargeeyes,colouredasmoulderingredandfilledwithanintelligencethathadnothingtodowithhumanbeings.Itwasfarolder,foronething.Itwasanintelligencethathadalreadybeenlongbastedinguileandmarinatedincunningbythetimeagroupofalmost-monkeyswerewonderingwhetherstandingontwolegswasagoodcareermove.Itwasn’tanintelligencethathadanytruckwith,orevenunderstood,theartsofdiplomacy.

           Itwouldn’tplaywithyou,oraskyouriddles.Butitunderstoodallaboutarroganceandpowerandcrueltyandifitcouldpossiblymanageit,itwouldburnyourheadoff.Becauseitlikedto.

           Itwasevenmoreangrythanusualatthemoment.Itcouldsensesomethingbehinditseyes.Atiny,weak,alienmind,bloatedwithself-satisfaction.Itwasinfuriating,likeanunscratchableitch.Itwasmakingitdothingsitdidn’twanttodo...andstoppingitfromdoingthingsitwantedtodoverymuch.