Стража! Стража!

           Thehugeheadswungaround,theblearyeyescaughtsightofVimes.

           Thereseemedtobesomethoughtgoingoninsidethem.

           Errolarcedacrosstheskyandhoveredprotectivelyinfrontofthecaptain,facingthethingdown.Foramomentitlookedasthoughhemightbeturnedintoasmallflyingcharcoalbiscuit,andthenthedragonlowereditsgazeinaslightlyembarrassedwayandstartedtorise.

           Itclimbedinawidespiral,gatheringspeedasitdidso.Errolwentwithit,orbitingthehugebodylikeatugaroundaliner.

           "It’s-it’sasthoughhe’sfussingoverit,"saidVimes.

           "Addupthebastard!"shoutedNobbyenthusiastically.

           "Total,Nobby,"saidColon."Youmean’total’."

           VimesfeltLadyRamkin’sgazeonthebackofhisneck.Helookedatherexpression.

           Realisationdawned."Oh,"hesaid.

           LadyRamkinnodded.

           "Really?"saidVimes.

           "Yes,"shesaid."Ireallyoughttohavethoughtofitbefore.Itwassuchahotflame,ofcourse.Andthey’realwayssomuchmoreterritorialthanthemales."

           "Whydon’tyoufightthebastard!"shoutedNobby,atthedwindlingdragons.

           "Bitch,Nobby,"saidVimesquietly."Notbastard.Bitch."

           "Whydon’tyoufi-what?"

           "It’samemberofthefemalegender,"explainedLadyRamkin.

           "What?"

           "Wemeantthatifyoutriedyourfavouritekick,Nobby,itwouldn’twork,"saidVimes.

           "It’sagirl,"translatedLadyRamkin.

           "Butit’ssoddingenormous!"saidNobby.

           Vimescoughedurgently.Nobby’srodenteyesslidsidewaystoSybilRamkin,whoblushedlikeasunset.