Стража! Стража!

           "Itprobablytookhimallthistimejusttoslowdown!"

           NowErrolwashoveringoverthefallendragon,andhootingshrillyenoughtobustbottles.

           Thegreatdragonstuckitsheadupinacascadeofplasterdust.Itopeneditsmouthbut,insteadofthelanceofwhitefirethatVimestensedhimselftoexpect,itmerelymadeanoiselikeakitten.Admittedlyakittenshoutingintoatinbathatthebottomofacave,butstillakitten.

           Brokensparsfellasidewhenthehugecreaturegotunsteadilytoitsfeet.Thegreatwingsopened,showeringthesurroundingstreetswithdustandbitsofthatch.SomeofitclangedoffthehelmetofSergeantColon,hurryingbackwithwhatlookedlikeasmallwashinglinecoiledoverhisarm.

           "You’relettingitgetup!"Vimesshouted,pushingthesergeanttosafety."You’renotsupposedtoletitgetup,Errol!Don’tletitgetup!"

           LadyRamkinfrowned."That’snotright,"shesaid."Theyneverusuallyfightlikethat.Thewinnerusuallykillstheloser."

           "Righton!"shoutedNobby.

           "Andthenhalfthetimeheexplodeswiththeexcitementinanycase."

           "Look,it’sme!"Vimesyelled,asErrolhoveredunconcernedlyoverthescene."Iboughtyouthefluffyball!Theonewiththebellinit!Youcan’tdothistous!"

           "No,waitaminute,"saidLadyRamkin,layingahandonhisarm."I’mnotsurewehaven’tgotholdofthewrongendofthestickhere-"

           Thegreatdragonleaptintotheairandbroughtitswingsdownwithawhumpthatflattenedafewmorebuildings.