The Fifth Elephant by Unknown
Author:Unknown
Language: eng
Format: epub
Lady Margolotta watched the coach until it reached the gates of the town. She stood back a little from the window. There was a slight overcast, but habits of preservation died hard.
âWhat a very angry man, Igor.â
âYeth, mithtreth.â
âYou can see it piling up behind his patience. I vonder how far he can be pushed?â
âIâve brought the hearthe around, mithreth.â
âOh, is it that late? Ve had better be going, then. Everyone feels despondent if I miss a meeting, you know.â
The castle on the other side of the valley was much more rugged than Lady Margolottaâs confectionery item. Even so, the gates were wide open and didnât look as though they were often closed.
The main door was tall and heavy-looking. The only thing that suggested it hadnât been ordered for the standard castle catalog was the smaller, narrow door, a few feet high, set into it.
âWhatâs that for?â said Vimes. âEven a dwarf would bump their head.â
âI suppose it depends on what shape you are when you go in,â said Cheery darkly.
The main door opened as soon as Vimes had laid his hand on the wolfâs-head knocker. But he was ready this time.
âGood morning, Igor,â he said.
âGood day, Your Exthelency,â said Igor, bowing.
âIgor and Igor send their regards, Igor.â
âThank you, Your Exthelency. Thince you mention it, could I put a parthel on your coach for Igor?â
âYou mean the Igor at the embassy?â
âThatâs who I thaid, thir,â said Igor, patiently. âHe athked me if I could lend him a hand.â
âYes, no problem there.â
âGood. Itâth well wrapped up and the ithe with keep it nithe and frethh. Would you thtep thith way? The marthter ith changing at the moment.â
Igor shambled into a wide hall, one side of which was mostly fireplace, and bowed out.
âDid he say what I thought he said?â said Vimes. âAbout the hand and ice?â
âItâs not what it sounds like, sir,â said Cheery.
âI hope so. My gods, look at that damned thing!â
A huge red flag hung from the rafters. In the middle of it was a black wolfâs head, its mouth full of stylized flashes of lightning.
âTheir new flag, I think,â said Cheery.
âI thought it was just a crest with the doubled-headed bat?â
âPerhaps they thought it was time for a change, sirââ
âAh, Your Excellency! Isnât Sybil with you?â
The woman who had entered was Angua, but padded somewhat with years. She was wearing a long, loose green gown, very old-fashioned by Ankh-Morpork standards, although there were some styles that never go out of style on the right figure. She was brushing her hair as she walked across the floor.
âErâ¦sheâs staying at the embassy today. We had rather a difficult journey. You would be the Baroness Serafine von Uberwald?â
âAnd youâre Sam Vimes. Sybilâs letters are all about you. The baron wonât be long. We were out hunting and lost track of time.â
âI expect itâs a lot of work, seeing to the horses,â said Vimes politely.
Serafineâs smile went strange for a moment.
âHah. Yes,â she said. âCan I get Igor to fetch you a drink?â
âNo, thank you.
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