He was used to this sort of thing, of course. Three figures lurched out of the dark, and one of them swung a heavy cleaver which would have connected with Soto’s head if he hadn’t ducked. The people of Ankh-Morpork knew all about Rule One.Īt least, they had known until now. He didn’t bother much about concealment now Lu-Tze’s time in the city had been a process of accelerated education for many citizens of the lurking variety. Soto picked up the bowl and set off through the network of alleys back to his base. He decided to make a report and see what the boys at Oi Dong said. He was also suspicious about the fact that the ruined house was full of oranges, that Dr Hopkins was babbling about getting sunlight out of them, and that his sparkling little abacus was telling him that something enormous had happened. Soto did not believe in miracles, however. The other he’d recognized as Dr Hopkins of the Guild of Clockmakers, who was miraculously unharmed. Initially they’d thought that one of them had been hideously mutilated in the explosion, until it had sat up and explained that it was an Igor and in very good shape for an Igor, at that. He’d watched the rescuers drag the bodies out of the house. There were of course far more interesting and complex ways for a History Monk to avoid being noticed, but he’d adopted the begging bowl method ever since Lu-Tze had shown him that people never see anyone who wants them to give him money. He was sitting by the side of the street, watching carefully, with his begging bowl in front of him. Most of the houses had been completely destroyed, although, Soto considered, the word ‘shredded’ was much more accurate. Small fires burned in the rubble, brightening the night. But Unity hadn’t learned that, either.Īnd, galloping out of the sunset, some riders were approaching. It was, she realized later, one of those phrases like ‘How are you?’ People were supposed to understand that it wasn’t a real question. ‘I do have a rather human ambition,’ said Unity. ‘What are you going to do now?’ she said. People learn things as they grow up, things that never get written down. How can words on a page have a power like that? There is no doubt that being human is incredibly difficult and cannot be mastered in one lifetime,’ said Unity sadly. ‘Really? I’ve never trusted it,’ said Susan. ‘I found some books of poetry.’ Unity actually looked embarrassed. ‘How do you even know the word romantic, anyway?’ she added.
‘You don’t have to confess to things like that,’ Susan snapped. I wanted to help him, because he seemed so closed in and sad.’ Sometimes, when he smiled, he was normal. ‘I confess to strange feelings regarding his … self that was the clockmaker.
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