Стража! Стража!

           AndVimescouldn’tdrinkinataverntonightwithoutseeingthingsthatwouldupsethimevenmorethanthethingshenormallysawwhenhewasdrunk.

           Itwasniceandquiet,althoughthedistantsoundsofrevelrycouldbeheardthroughthewindow.

           Errolscrambleddownfromhisshoulderandstartedtoeatthecokeinthefireplace.

           Vimessatbackandputhisfeetup.

           Whataday!Andwhatafight!Thedodging,theweaving,theshoutsofthecrowd,theyoungmanstandingtherelookingtinyandunprotected,thedragontakingadeepbreathinawaynowveryfamiliartoVimes...

           Andnotflaming.ThathadsurprisedVimes.Ithadsurprisedthecrowd.Ithadcertainlysurprisedthedragon,whichhadtriedtosquintatitsownnoseandclaweddesperatelyatitsflameducts.Ithadremainedsurprisedrightuptothemomentwhentheladduckedinunderoneclawandthrusttheswordhome.

           Andthenathunderclap.

           You’dhavethoughtthere’dhavebeensomebitsofdragonleft,really.

           Vimespulledascrapofpapertowardshim.