Стража! Стража!

           It’snotasifweneedtofindoutwherethedragonisnow,"headdedbitterly.

           "Ithinkyou’rebeingabitsillyaboutallthis,"shesaid,leadingthewaybacktothehouse.

           "Silly?Iwassackedinfrontofallthosepeople!"

           "Yes,butitwasallamisunderstanding,I’msure."

           "Ididn’tmisunderstandit!"

           "Well,Ithinkyou’rejustupsetbecauseyou’reimpotent."

           Vimes’seyesbulged."Whee?"hesaid.

           "Againstthedragon,"LadyRamkinwenton,quiteunconcerned."Youcan’tdoanythingaboutit."

           "Ireckonthisdamncityandthedragonjustaboutdeserveoneanother,"saidVimes.

           "Peoplearefrightened.Youcan’texpectmuchofpeoplewhenthey’resofrightened."Shetouchedhimgingerlyonhisarm.Itwaslikewatchinganindustrialrobotbeingexpertlymanipulatedtograspanegggently.

           "Noteveryone’sasbraveasyou,"sheadded,timidly.

           "Me?"

           "Theotherweek.Whenyoustoppedthemkillingmydragons."

           "Oh,that.That’snotbravery.Anyway,thatwasjustpeople.Peopleareeasier.I’lltellyouonethingfornothing,I’mnotlookingupthatdragon’snoseagain.Iwakeupatdaysthinkingaboutthat."

           "Oh."Sheseemeddeflated."Well,ifyou’resure...I’vegotalotoffriends,youknow.Ifyouneedanyhelp,you’veonlygottosay.TheDukeofStoHelitislookingforaguardcaptain,I’msure.I’llwriteyoualetter.You’lllikethem,they’reaveryniceyoungcouple."

           "I’mnotsurewhatIshalldonext,"saidVimes,moregrufflythanheintended.