Стража! Стража!

           Nowthattheireyeswereusedtothedarknesstheycouldseeanindistinctredglowaheadofthem.

           Itturnedouttobeawall,coolingrapidly.Bitsofcalcinedbrickworkwerefallingoffastheycontracted,makinglittlepingingnoises.

           Thatwasn’ttheworstbit.Theworstbitwaswhatwasonthewall.

           Theystaredatit.

           Theystaredatitforalongtime.

           Itwasonlyanhourortwotilldawn,andno-oneevensuggestedtryingtofindtheirwaybackinthedark.Theywaitedbythewall.Atleastitwaswarm.

           Theytriednottolookatit.

           EventuallyColonstretcheduneasilyandsaid,’’Chinup,Captain.Itcouldhavebeenworse."

           Vimesfinishedthebottle.Itdidn’thaveanyeffect.Thereweresometypesofsobrietythatyoujustcouldn’tbudge.

           "Yes,"hesaid."Itcouldhavebeenus."

           ...

           TheSupremeGrandMasteropenedhiseyes.

           "Onceagain,"hesaid,"wehaveachievedsuccess."