Стража! Стража!

           O’course,"hecontinued,"byrightsthereshouldbeamaidenchainedtoarock.Onlytheauntsaidno.That’sthetroublewithsomepeople.Nosenseoftradition.Thisladsayshe’stherightfulair,too."

           Vimesshookhishead.Theworldwasdefinitelygoingmadaroundhim."You’velostmethere,"hesaid.

           "Air,"saidThroatpatiently."Youknow.Airtothethrone."

           "Whatthrone?"

           "ThethroneofAnkh."

           "WhatthroneofAnkh?"

           "Youknow.Kingsandthat."Throatlookedreflective."WishIknewwhathisbloodynameis,"hesaid."IputanorderintoIgneoustheTroll’sall-nightwholesalepotteryforthreegrossofcoronationmugsandit’sgoingtobearightpain,paintingallthenamesinafterwards.ShallIputyoudownforacouple,Cap’n?Toyouninetypence,andthat’scuttingmeownthroat."

           Vimesgaveup,andshovedhiswaybackthroughthethrongusingCarrotasalighthouse.Thelance-constableloomedoverthecrowd,andtherestoftherankhadanchoredthemselvestohim.

           "It’sallgonemad,"heshouted."What’sgoingon,Carrot?"

           "There’saladonahorseinthemiddleoftheplaza,"saidCarrot."He’sgotaglitterysword,youknow.Doesn’tseemtobedoingmuchatthemoment,though."

           VimesfoughthiswayintotheleeofLadyRamkin.

           "Kings,"hepanted."OfAnkh.AndThrones.Arethere?"

           "What?Oh,yes.Thereusedtobe,"saidLadyRamkin."Hundredsofyearsago.