‘Can’t blame a mother for being proud, Nobby,’ said Colon.
‘What else should I know today?’ said Vimes, as he and Carrot shouldered their way through the streets.
‘We’ve had a letter from the Black Ribboners*, sir, suggesting that it would be a great step forward for species harmony in the city if you’d see your way clear to-‘
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* The Uberwald League of Temperance, made up of former vampires who now wore black ribbons to show that they had completely sworn off the sticky stuff, my vord yes, and much preferred a good singsong and a healthy game of tabletennis.
‘They want a vampire in the Watch?’
‘Yes, sir. I believe many members of the Watch Committee think that despite your stated reservations it would be a good-‘
‘Does it look to you as if my body is dead?’
‘No, sir.’
‘Then the answer’s no. What else?’
Carrot riffled through a stuffed clipboard as he half ran to keep up. The Times says Borogravia has invaded Mouldavia,’
he announced.
‘Is that good? I can’t remember where it is.’
‘Both formerly part of the Dark Empire, sir. Right next door to Uberwald.’
‘Whose side are we on?’
‘The Times said we should be supporting little Mouldavia against the aggressor, sir.’
‘I like Borogravia already,’ snapped Vimes. The Times had printed, in his opinion, a particularly unflattering cartoon of him the previous week, and to make matters worse Sybil had
requested the original and had had it framed. ‘And what does this all mean to us?’
‘Probably more refugees, sir.’
‘Ye gods, we’ve got no more room! Why do they keep coming here?’
‘In search of a better life, sir, I think.’
‘A better life?’ said Vimes. ‘Here?’
‘I think things are worse where they come from, sir,’ said Carrot.
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‘What kind of refugees are we talking about here?’
‘Mostly human, sir.’
‘Do you mean that most of them will be human, or that each individual will be mostly human?’ said Vimes. After a while in Ankh-Morpork, you learned how to phrase that kind of question.
‘Er, apart from humans the only species I’ve heard of there in any numbers are the kvetch, sir. They live in the deep woods and are covered in hair.’
‘Really? Well, we’ll probably find out more about them when we’re asked to employ one in the Watch,’ said Vimes sourly.
‘What else?’
‘Rather hopeful news, sir,’ said Carrot, smiling. ‘You know the Hooms? The street gang?’
‘What about them?’
‘They’ve initiated their first troll member.’
‘What? I thought they went around beating up trolls! I thought that was the whole point!’
‘Well, apparently young Calcite likes beating up trolls, too.’
‘And that’s good?’
‘In a way, sir, I suppose it’s a step forward.’
‘United in hatred, you mean?’
‘I suppose so, sir,’ said Carrot. He flicked papers back and forth on his clipboard. ‘Now, what else have I got? Oh, yes, the river patrol boat has sunk again-‘
Where did I go wrong? thought Vimes as the litany went on. I was a copper once. A real copper. I chased people. I was a hunter. It was what I did best. I knew where I was anywhere in the city by the feel of the street under my boots. And now look at me! A Duke! Commander of the Watch! A political animal! I have to know about who’s fighting who a thousand miles away, just in case that’s going to mean riots here!
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When did I last go on patrol? Last week? Last month? And it’s never a proper point patrol, ‘cos the sergeants make damn sure everyone knows I’ve left the building and every damn constable reeks of armour polish and has had a shave by the time I get there, even if I nip down the back streets (and that thought, at least, was freighted with a little pride, because it showed he didn’t employ stupid sergeants). I never stand all night in the rain, or fight for my life rolling in the gutter with some thug, and I never move above a walk. That’s all been taken away. And for what?
Comfort, power, money and a wonderful wife…
…er…
… which was a good thing, of course, but… even so…
Damn. But I’in not a copper any more, I’in a, a manager. I have to talk to the damn committee as if they’re children. I go to receptions and wear damn stupid toy armour. It’s all politics and paperwork. It’s all got too big.
What has happened to the days when it was all so simple?
Faded like the lilac, he thought.
They entered the palace and went up the main stairs to the Oblong Office.
The Patrician of Ankh-Morpork was standing looking out of the window when they entered. The room was otherwise
deserted.
‘Ah, Vimes,’ he said, without turning round. ‘I thought you might be late. In the circumstances, I dismissed the committee.
They were sorry, as indeed was I, to hear about Stronginthearm.
No doubt you have been writing the official letter.’
Vimes flashed a questioning expression at Carrot, who rolled his eyes and shrugged. Vetinari found things out very quickly.
‘Yes, that’s right,’ said Vimes.
‘And on such a beautiful day as this, too,’ said Vetinari.
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‘Although there’s a storm heading our way, I see.’ He turned. He had a sprig of lilac pinned to his robe.
‘Lady Sybil is doing well?’ he said, sitting down.
‘You tell me,’ said Vimes.
‘Some things can’t be hurried, no doubt,’ said Vetinari smoothly, shuffling the papers. ‘Let me see now, let me see, there were just a few points that I should deal with… ah, the regular letter from our religious friends at the Temple of Small Gods.’ He carefully removed it from the pile and set it to one side. ‘I think I shall invite the new deacon to tea and explain matters to him. Now, where was I… ah, the political situation inYes?’
The door opened. Drumknott, the chief clerk, came in.
‘Message for his grace,’ he said, although he handed it to Lord Vetinari. The Patrician passed it, very politely, across the desk.
Vimes unfolded it.
‘It’s off the clacks!’ he yelled. ‘We’ve got Carcer cornered in New Hall! I’ve got to get down there now!’
‘How exciting,’ said Lord Vetinari, standing up suddenly. The call to the chase. But is it necessary for you to attend personally, your grace?’
Vimes gave him a grey look. ‘Yes,’ he said. ‘Because if I don’t, y’see, some poor sod who’s been trained by me to do the right thing is going to try to arrest the bugger.’ He turned to Carrot.
‘Captain, get on it right now! Clacks, pigeons, runners, whatever. I want everyone answering this shout, okay? But no one, I repeat, no one is to try to tackle him without a lot of backup! Understood? And get Swires airborne! Oh, damn
‘What’s wrong, sir?’ said Carrot.
‘This message is from Littlebottom. She sent it straight here.
What’s she doing there? She’s Forensic. She’s not street! She’ll do it by the book!’
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‘Shouldn’t she?’ said Vetinari.
‘No. Carcer needs an arrow in his leg just to get his attention.
You shoot first-‘
‘and ask questions later?’ said Vetinari.
Vimes paused at the door and said, There’s nothing I want to ask him.’
Vimes had to slow down for breath in Sator Square, and that was disgusting. A few years ago he’d’ve only really been getting into his stride by now! But the storm rolling over the plains was driving the heat before it, and it wouldn’t do for the commander to turn up wheezing. As it was, even after pausing behind a street market stall for a few gulps of air, he doubted if he had enough wind left for a lengthy sentence.
To his tremendous relief, an entirely unwounded Corporal Cheery Littlebottom was waiting by the University walls. She saluted.
‘Reporting, sir,’ she said.
‘Mm,’ murmured Vimes.
‘I spotted a couple of trolls on traffic duty, sir,’ said Cheery,
‘so I’ve sent them round to the Water Bridge. Then Sergeant Detritus turned up and I told- I advised him to go into the University via main gate and get up high. Sergeant Colon and Nobby arrived and I sent them along to the Bridge of Size-‘
‘Why?’ said Vimes.
‘Because I doubt if he’s really going to try going that way,’
said Cheery, her face a very careful picture of innocence. Vimes had to stop himself from nodding. ‘And then as more people come along I’in putting them around the perimeter. But I think he’s gone up and he’s staying high.’
‘Why?’
‘Because how’s he going to fight his way out through a lot of wizards, sir? His best chance is to sneak around on the roofs and
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drop down somewhere quiet. There’s a lot of hiding places and he can get all the way to Peach Pie Street without coming down.’