a few steps to the edge of the roof, and launched itself into the air.
After a while a hand appeared over the edge of the parapet. It flailed around for a moment until it got a decent grip.
There was a grunt. Carrot hauled himself back on to the roof and pulled the other two up behind him. They lay flat out on the leads, panting. Carrot observed the way that the dragon's talons had scored deep grooves in the metal. You couldn't help noticing things like that.
'Hadn't,' he panted, 'hadn't we better warn people?'
Colon dragged himself forward until he could look across the city.
'I don't think we need bother,' he said. 'I think they'll soon find out.'
The High Priest of Blind Io was stumbling over his words. There had never been an official coronation service in Ankh-Morpork, as far as he could find out. The old kings had managed quite well with something on the lines of: 'We hath got the crown, i'faith, and we will kill any whoreson who tries to takes it away, by the Lord Harry.' Apart from anything else, this was rather short. He'd spent a long time drafting something longer and more in keeping with the spirit of the times, and was having some trouble remembering it.
He was also being put off by the goat, which was watching him with loyal interest.
'Get on with it!' Wonse hissed, from his position behind the throne.
'All in good time,' the high priest hissed back. 'This is a coronation, I'll have you know. You might try to show a little respect.'
'Of course I'm showing respect! Now get on…'
There was a shout, off to the right. Wonse glared into the crowd.
'It's that Ramkin woman,' he said. 'What's she up to?'
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