Стража! Стража!

           Vimesglaredathimandthrewthewindowopen.

           Thefogrolledin,inaslow,yellow-edgedwaterfall.

           "Wereckonitmustofflownaway,"saidColon’svoice,behindhim.

           Vimesstaredupintotheheavy,rollingclouds.

           "Hopeitclearsupforthecoronation,"Colonwenton,inaworriedvoice."Youallright,sir?"

           Ithasn’tflownaway,Vimesthought.Whyshoulditflyaway?Wecan’thurtit,andit’sgoteverythingitwantsrighthere.It’suptheresomewhere.

           "Youallright,sir?"Colonrepeated.

           It’sgottobeuphighsomewhere,inthefog.There’sallkindsoftowersandthings.

           "Whattime’sthecoronation,Sergeant?"hesaid.

           "Noon,sir.AndMrWonsehassentamessageabouthowyou’retobeinyourbestarmouramongallthecivicleaders,sir."

           "Oh,hashe?"

           "AndSergeantHummockandthedaysquadwillbeliningtheroute,sir."

           "Whatwith?"saidVimesvaguely,watchingtheskies.

           "Sorry,sir?"

           Vimessquintedupwardstogetabetterviewoftheroof."Hmm?"hesaid.

           "Isaidthey’llbeliningtheroute,sir,"saidSergeantColon.

           "It’supthere,Sergeant,"saidVimes."Icanpracticallysmellit."

           "Yes,sir,"saidColonobediently.

           "It’sdecidingwhattodonext."

           "Yes,sir?"

           "They’renotunintelligent,youknow.Theyjustdon’tthinklikeus."

           "Yes,sir."

           "Sobedamnedtoanyliningoftheroute.Iwantyouthreeuponroofs,understand?"

           "Yes,si-what?"

           "Upontheroofs.Uphigh.Whenitmakesitsmove,Iwantustobethefirsttoknow.