Стража! Стража!

           Carrothadtoadmititsoundedbetterthanmining.

           Aftersomethought,thekingwrotetotherulerofAnkh-Morpork,respectfullyaskingifCarrotcouldbeconsideredforaplaceamongstthecity’sfinest.

           Lettersrarelygotwritteninthatmine.Workstoppedandthewholeclanhadsataroundinrespectfulsilenceashispenscritteredacrosstheparchment.HisaunthadbeensentuptoVarneshi’stobeghispardonbutcouldheseehiswaycleartosparingasmidgenofwaxHissisterhadbeensentdowntothevillagetoaskMistressGarlickthewitchhowyoustoppedspellingrecommendation.

           Monthshadgoneby.

           Andthenthere’dbeenthereply.Itwasfairlygrubby,sincemailintheRamtopswasgenerallyhandedtowhoeverwasgoinginmoreorlesstherightdirection,anditwasalsofairlyshort.Itsaid,baldly,thathisapplicationwasaccepted,andwouldhepresenthimselffordutyimmediately.

           "Justlikethat?"hesaid."Ithoughtthere’dbetestsandthings.ToseeifIwassuitable."

           "You’remyson,"saidtheking."Itoldthemthat,see.Standstoreasonyou’llbesuitable.Probablyofficermaterial."

           He’dpulledasackfromunderhischair,rummagedaroundinitandpresentedCarrotwithalengthofmetal,moreaswordthanasawbutonlyjust.

           "Thismightrightlybelongtoyou,"hesaid."Whenwefoundthe...carts,thiswastheonlythingleft.