Стража! Стража!

           "Youwillbe-thatis,Iamsurethekingisawarethat,traditionally,theUniversityisexemptfromallcityleviesandtaxes..."

           Hestifledayawn.Thewizardshadspentthenightdirectingtheirbestspellsagainstthedragon.Itwaslikepunchingfog.

           "Mydearsir,thisisnolevy,"protestedWonse."IhopethatnothingIhavesaidwouldleadyoutoexpectanythinglikethat.Oh,no!No.Anytributeshouldbe,asIsaid,entirelyvoluntary.Ihopethatisabsolutelyclear."

           "Ascrystal,"saidtheheadassassin,glaringattheoldwizard."Andtheseentirelyvoluntarytributesweareabouttomake,theygo-?"

           "Onthehoard,"saidWonse.

           "Ah."

           "WhileIampositivethepeopleofthecitywillbeverygenerousindeedoncetheyfullyunderstandthesituation,"saidtheheadmerchant,"IamsurethekingwillunderstandthatthereisverylittlegoldinAnkh-Morpork?"

           "Goodpoint,"saidWonse."However,thekingintendstopursueavigorousanddynamicforeignpolicywhichshouldremedymatters."

           "Ah,"thecouncillorschorused,rathermoreenthusiasticallythistime.

           "Forexample,"Wonsewenton,"thekingfeelsthatourlegitimateinterestsinQuirm,StoLat,PseudopolisandTsorthavebeenseriouslycompromisedinrecentcenturies.Thiswillbespeedilycorrectedand,gentlemen,Icanassureyouthattreasurewillpositivelyflowintothecityfromthoseanxioustoenjoytheking’sprotection."

           Theheadassassinglancedatthehoard.Averydefiniteideaformedinhismindastowhereallthattreasurewouldendup.