Monstrous Regiment

of Borogravia?”
    “No. Brogocia is the cherry pancake, Borogvia is the country.”
    “Well, I made the effort, at least. Look, we’d rather Prince Heinrich wasn’t ruler of two countries. That’d make one quite big country, much bigger than the other ones around here. So it’d probably get bigger still. He wants to be like Ankh-Morpork, you see. But what he means is he wants power and influence. He doesn’t want to earn them, he doesn’t want to grow into them or learn the hard way how to use them. He just wants them.”
    “That’s playing politics!” said Maladicta.
    “No. It’s just telling the truth. Make peace with him, by all means. Just leave the road and the towers alone. You’ll get the food anyway, at whatever price. Mr. de Worde’s article will see to that.”
    “You sent the coffee,” said Polly.
    “Oh, yes. That was Corporal Buggy Swires, my eye in the sky. He’s a gnome.”
    “And you set a werewolf on us?”
    “Well, ‘set’ is a bit strong. Angua followed you, just to be on the safe side. She’s a werewolf, yes.”
    “The girl we met? She didn’t look like one!”
    “Well, they don’t, usually,” said Vimes. “Right up until the moment when they do, if you see what I mean. And she was following you because I was looking for anything that’d stop thousands of people dying, that’s why. And that’s not politics either,” said Vimes. He stood up. “And now, ladies, I have to go and present your document to the alliance leaders.”
    “You came out for a smoke at the right time, didn’t you,” said Polly slowly and carefully. “You knew we were on our way, and you made sure you’d get to us first.”
    “Of course. Can’t leave this to a bunch of…oh, yes…ruperts.”
    “Where is my brother, Mister Vimes?” said Polly stiffly.
    “You seem very sure I know…” said Vimes, not looking her in the face.
    “I’m certain you do,” said Polly.
    “Why?”
    “Because no one else does!”
    Vimes stubbed out his cigar. “Angua was right about you,” he said. “Yes, I, er, arranged for him to be put in what I like to call ‘protective custody.’ He’s fine. Angua will take you to him now, if you like. Your brother, possibility of revenge, blackmail, who knows what…I thought he might be safer if I know exactly who holds the keys.”
    The end of the journey, Polly thought. But it wasn’t, not anymore.
    She got the distinct impression that the man opposite was reading her thoughts.
    “That’s what all this was about, wasn’t it?” he said.
    “No, sir. It’s just how it started,” said Polly.
    “Well, it continues like this,” said Vimes. “This is going to be a busy day. Right now I shall take this offer of a truce in the room down the passage and present it to the very important men,” his voice went flat to say those words, “who are discussing what to do about Borogravia. You’ll get a truce, the food, and probably some other help.”
    “How do you know that?” said Polly. “They haven’t discussed it!”
    “Not yet. But, as I told you…I used to be a sergeant. Angua!”
    The door opened. Angua came in. As Vimes had said, you couldn’t tell who was a werewolf until you found out…
    “And now I’d better have a shave before I go to see the very important men,” said Vimes. “People set a lot of store by shaving.”

    Polly felt embarrassed walking down the steps with Sergeant Angua. How did you start a conversation? “So you’re a werewolf, then?” would be sort of idiotic. She was glad that Jade and Maladicta had been left in the waiting room.
    “Yes, I am,” said Angua.
    “But I didn’t say it!” Polly burst out.
    “No, but I’m used to situations like this. I’ve learned to recognize the way people don’t say things. Don’t worry.”
    “You followed us,” said Polly.
    “Yes.”
    “So you must’ve known we weren’t men.”
    “Oh, yes,” said Angua. “My sense of smell is much better than my eyesight, and I’ve got sharp eyes. Humans are smelly creatures. For what it’s worth, though, I wouldn’t have told Mister Vimes if I hadn’t heard you talking to one another. Anyone could have heard you, you don’t need to be a werewolf for that. Everyone’s got secrets they don’t want known. Werewolves are a bit like vampires in that way. We’re tolerated…if we’re careful.”
    “ That I can understand,” said Polly. So are we , she thought.
    Angua stopped by a heavy, studded door. “He’s in here,”