The First Speech

The noise was deafening. A few remained quiet, knowing that to shout your opinions at the Patrician did not, ever, actually work. The Patrician's usual way of silencing people didn't work, they didn't want to hear him at all. Then a note so shrill it made even the Patrician flinch, just barely, pierced the air.

Looking at the door, the other Guild leaders looked at Miss Maria Kiln, who suddenly flushed and dropped her gaze. Half of the more honorable gentlemen in the room did so as well, though they listened attentively.

"Y-you guys were all so loud...I couldn't practice out there...b-besides, I heard the Patrician...he asked you all to be quiet...and no one really listened...so, I-I wanted to make you all listen..."

She was shaking now, and Vimes moved with unusual gentleness and carefully guided her out the door. Lord Rust had regained his ability to speak, to the upset of nearly every workingman in the room.

"What a nervous dog she is! She can't even look any of us in the eye when she speaks!"

Vimes glared at the man, but he didn't seem willing to revoke the comment, instead seemingly taking pleasure in Vimes' glare.

"Well, Ronnie, let's see you recover when your father was shot in your own home while you were in bed beside him. She was seven, Ronald."

It wasn't Vimes who had spoken, but actually Lord Downey, who had an icy glare to match Vimes'. While neither could talk to the young girl very long, both sympathized with her. And since neither had had much ability to control her fate, they had tried to help in small ways. Most wouldn't have thought Downey would do that for anyone, but even he, as an Assassin, didn't want to see such talent wasted, and besides, she'd turned down his Guild's scholarship in favor of playing music. After that, all he could do is recommend her to kind people and the newly formed Guild of Musician's.

Both Downey and Vimes gave each other a curt nod, on this matter at least they could agree and stand together. Against Ronald Rust, you could surpass any differences, as long as he was forced into silence or, better yet, embarrassed silence. While Lord Downey sometimes sided with Rust on 'practical matters,' he never seemed to when it came to the emotions of others, where he almost always, even when he thought the same thing, never said a thing. Rust saying anything negative about another Civic Leader was not only insensitive, it was impolite, inelegant, dishonorable. Everything Downey's Guild believed in, it wasn't.

Rust sniffed, not seeming embarrassed at all, but staying quiet. He had instincts deeper than species or breeding – namely, those instincts associated with being male, period.

Downey and Vimes returned to their seats, Vimes glancing at Vetinari angrily. The man was glaring icily at Rust, as nearly everyone was, but had not turned to face him. And then, with a barely noticeable change of mindset, the Patrician was smiling and talking almost cheerfully. Everyone went silent.

The Patrician accepted a stack of papers, and no one bothered to try and read the first page. Vimes certainly didn't, sitting at the opposite end of the long table from the man.*

"Well, since you were all so tardy to this important meeting, I think I shall allow those who came here on time to speak first. Yes, Lord Rust?"

"My Lord! We were merely gathering information about the creature who's life we will be affecting," said Rust sweetly, though his attempt at subtle innocence was ruined by the sly grin and horribly attempted tone of innocence. Vetinari smiled cheerfully.

"Oh yes, Lord Rust? I have a report here that says you insulted the dragon and then threatened to take it on in armor, on horseback, with a lance." Vetinari cocked his head curiously, then frowned, like a confused bird. "Explain to me, my Lord, how this is gathering information on the dragon?"

Rust didn't miss a beat, and jumped to his feet. Vimes smiled manically as he placed his hands in front of the Patrician.

"That beast is not fit for the name of dragon! Monster, certainly! That monster is larger than my home, Havelock! And you're going to trust that nervous bitch's account over mine!?" Rust snarled, digging his manicured nails into the woodwork. Downey and the other lords flinched, but Laurence leaped to his feet in a fit of rage that Vimes recognized as bruised pride and defense of a loved one.

"My Lord Rust, I would deeply appreciate it if you removed that last remark about my dragon. Temeraire is, I would wager, three times as intelligent as you. More intelligent certainly than myself, and I am considered a knowledgeable man by the standards of my people. Now, would you kindly remove the remark?"

Everyone turned to the reddened captain, who had clenched his fists and looked ready to rip Rust apart, despite his quiet tone. Rust didn't show any signs of backing down, instead sniffing in disgust.

"My Lord, do you plan to allow this rake to insult me like that?" Rust sniffed, looking at Vetinari. Who was looking at his hands, which were still in front of him. The ice in that glare served to break through to some small part of Rust that knew how to survive, and he stepped back in as dignified a manner as he could.

"Yes, Lord Rust, I do. You have insulted a dragon he has raised from birth, and I assume he loves dearly. And, incidentally, Miss Kiln is a valid member of this Council, Ronald. Mister Slant, what would you advise the young lady to do in this situation?" Vetinari said softly, with a cheerful tone and smile. His eyes were icy and emotionless, except perhaps for much disgust.

Mister Slant stood and coughed before consulting a sheet and looking grim. "My Lord, I would advise her to sue the Lord Rust for Slander and Public Insult, as well as Using Derogatory Terms In Public. Two slightly different charges, my Lord, I assure you."

"And Vimes, what would you be obligated to do in that case?" asked Vetinari, still madly cheerful. Vimes grinned happily.

"Well my Lord, I'd be obligated to arrest one Ronald Rust for such offenses, and charge him with an additional Attempted Suicide, two counts," he replied, giving the suddenly uneasy Lord Rust a smoothly evil smile. He liked this. He felt alive, like when he was on a chase, even though he was playing a game allied to the Patrician. Rust shifted even more uneasily.

"Mister Slant, if the young Miss won this battle, what would happen to Lord Rust?" Vetinari asked, looking suddenly concerned. Rust cut the old lawyer off, and shook his head.

"Alright, alright! I'll apologize to her later!"

Vetinari looked surprised. "You act as if we were blackmailing you, my Lord!" he said, sounding like he was using his genuinely contrived emotions again.

Rust muttered something, but fell silent quickly and settled for glaring at the table.

"Captain, do sit down now, please," Vetinari said quietly, and Laurence glared again.

"My Lord, with all due respect, he has not said he will apologize to Temeraire. I dema- I ask for him to say such a thing before I will obey," Laurence said quietly, his tone cold, but polite and respectful.

"Very well. I apologize to the damned dragon too! What are you two?" Rust muttered, glaring at Vimes and Laurence, who now both sat. Vimes bristled, but Laurence shrugged and smiled mildly, any hint of anger gone.

"Thank you, Lord Rust," Laurence said quietly, leaning back and looking calm, though a bit ill-at-ease still. Vimes had never seen a more contradictory term actually managed.

"My Lord, perhaps now we may actually start? Good. Vimes, Captain, as you arrived here first, I will allow you to speak first, in opposite order. Captain, please stand and address the Council," Vetinari said softly, and immediately all silence returned. Laurence bit his lip briefly before replying.

"My Lord, I think I would rather speak last. Not because I do not wish to speak, but I would have nothing to say at this point, without knowing what actual complaints, compliments, or arguments were being made against or for Temeraire and myself. I will speak if you so desire, I just thought that maybe defending myself and Temeraire could be done better after I have something to defend against, my Lord," Laurence said politely, looking fully ready to stand and talk if ordered, or stay sitting comfortably.

Vetinari sat thoughtfully, then nodded. "I see your point, Captain. Very well, you may go whenever you feel it necessary. Merely stand and wait for me to call upon you, or for the current leader speaking to ask you. Does that sound fair?"

"Yes my Lord."

"Very well then. Vimes, you get the golden opportunity," Vetinari said cheerfully, observing the others as they turned to the other end of the table, where Vimes had already risen. Forgetting his standing to attention, the duke and Watch Commander sighed and leaned on the table before he turned his cool gray eyes onto the Patrician, ignoring anyone else.

"My Lord, what are we arguing? Whether Laurence is allowed to stay, whether we're going to help him get back, whether or not to kill him? What?" Vimes asked, short and blunt.

"Vimes, we are discussing all of them. What do you think we should do?" Vetinari answered calmly.

Vimes nodded once. "Alright then. Laurence wants to get home, and that's not a feeling I would deny any man who has been suddenly ripped from his home to here. If the wizard's can manage it, no offense meant, Ridcully, than I think I can safely say I would rather help Laurence get back than keep him here or kill him," Vimes said, his voice less blunt and short than usual. He was obviously angry still, but perhaps it was because of what had happened with the whole Koom Valley thing a few years back.

Vetinari nodded. "Thank you, Commander. I believe Mister Slant is up next?"

The zombified lawyer stood and cleared his throat quietly. "My Lord, I see no legal reason to kill this captain, nor any reason at all. I see no harm in trying to help him home, and the costs of feeding the dragon must be enormous. Driving him out seems too harsh, and wouldn't really get rid of the problem. I think I shall agree with the Commander, then," Slant said, getting an odd look from Vimes when he sat down, which the old lawyer ignored.

Vetinari inclined his head when Missus Palm stood, as well as every other male member in the room. Except Mister Slant, who looked ready to bow. Some old habits died very hard...or didn't die at all.

"Well, Havelock, I see no reason why we should condemn the man just for appearing here! However, I must suspend judgment until I've had a chance to meet him and talk to him. Could I ask that you give us a day? Besides, then perhaps a particular person can apologize to the poor dragon."

Laurence felt his jaw drop slightly. She looked to be ten years older than Vetinari or Vimes, and yet she made him long for a woman in his bed...And then he caught her looking at him, that sly, knowing smile. And on her, it just worked.

Vetinari seemed to be thinking, and then nodded. "If you wish, Missus Palm. Who agrees to her proposition?" Most of the leaders raised their hands, though a few did not. "I suppose, then, that majority rules. You all have two days to get to know the Captain...and try not to destroy my city while you're going about it, the city can't afford to rebuild itself," Vetinari intoned, seemingly completely serious. But Vimes smiled that manic grin. Most of their conversations were done in silence, and the idea of keeping Laurence at his place, for two days, didn't seem so bad. Besides, it meant Laurence would be the third safest man in the city, Vetinari and Vimes taking first and second respectively.

Everyone began to shuffle for the door, some faster than others. Queen Molly was laughing happily, and began to laugh almost maniacally when Lord Rust called Miss Kiln over to the side, and grudgingly apologized. She stammered something along the lines of a forgiveness, and was led away, shaking softly, by Doctor Whiteface, who seemed to have decided to invite the poor girl over for tea.

"Vimes? Do hang on a moment, I have some matters to discuss with you."

Vimes turned from the satisfying scene to see Vetinari's face, a perfect mask of thoughtfulness. However, it seemed that Vetinari was rather troubled. The man would have described the look on his face as vexed, probably.

Vimes turned to Sally and Laurence. "I'll be just a moment, Lance-Constable, if you would escort the Captain to my place, I'll meet you most likely on Broad Way," he grumbled, and Sally nodded and smiled brightly before moving Laurence away, chatting with him about dragons.

Then the Commander closed the doors, and turned to look at Vetinari. He saw the man use his cane to get up, and slowly make his way to the door to a different hallway. "Are you coming, Vimes?" Vetinari said softly, holding the door for the Commander. For a moment, Vimes considered saying no, but then he grunted and followed, since Vetinari hadn't really ordered him to stay yet.

The Patrician and the Commander walked side-by-side for awhile, the silence more comfortable than usual as they made their slow way to the Oblong Office. Vimes noted absently that Vetinari's bad leg was shaking slightly, and that when he paused to unlock the door to the Office, it shook even more.

"Sir, are you alright?"

Vimes hadn't expected an answer, but there a weary sigh from the vicinity of the Patrician's lips. One pale, blue-veined hand pressed against the bad thigh, and slowly the shaking ceased.

"No, I'm not. But I'll be fine, once this situation is over. Vimes, I want that man to live. I need to buy time, the Archancellor is being rather stubborn."

"When is he not? Sir, are you telling me to intentionally prolong this meeting?" Vimes asked, a bit uncertain as to why Vetinari was suddenly acting so...human, really. He could see silvery hairs in the coal-black hair of the taller man, who smiled weakly. The pale hand was removed from the leg, and Vimes caught sight of fresh blood on his fingers.

"I'm telling you, Sir Samuel, to make Lord Rust angry enough with Captain Laurence to make him entirely impossible to deal with," Vetinari replied, giving Vimes a genuine, if not darkly amused, smile. Vimes replied with a manic grin. Some conversations were best done in silence. This one made Vimes' heart soar, even though he was a bit concerned about the Patrician.

As Vimes made his way downstairs, and out the Palace doors, he paused to wonder whether Vetinari might have been tricking him. Yes, the smile had been genuine, but Vetinari's genuine smiles could have nothing to do with you. Or everything. And besides, he'd never seen the man look so bone-weary, even when Vimes knew the man hadn't slept in three or four days. And silver in the hair...well, that could be genuine, his mind conceded. Vetinari was older than him, and Vimes was pushing fifty. His hair had gone salt-and-pepper years ago...Vetinari's must be at least starting to gray now...

Vimes sighed, and then shrugged. Mind games or not, Vetinari had given him a job he could and would do happily. Annoying Lord Rust until he was unbearable to deal with? Easy, especially if he could get Mrs. Palm and Lord Downey in on it.

Glancing up at the Oblong Office, he noticed Vetinari standing in front of his window, looking as he always did. He smirked, and then decided to do something incredibly childish. He touched his helmet, then waved and darted off, deciding to catch up with Sally and Laurence, and tell his Watch officer to spread the word...Lord Rust must be annoyed at all costs.

Vetinari stepped into the Oblong Office, listening to the heavy footfalls of Vimes as he trotted downstairs. What an interesting man...and after so long, it was good to know that Vimes was, in essence, on his side. Vimes did more than duty called for to protect Vetinari, and the Patrician did appreciate it.

Hell, the man beneath the aloof Patrician, the Havelock part of him, appreciated it. Being dead didn't sound like much fun really.

The Patrician chuckled softly to himself, looking at the skullcap on the desk and deciding against putting it on as yet. However, he did need to attend to his leg, the bleeding had surprised him, and concerned Vimes.

With a sigh, he set about grabbing a black cloth to wrap the old wound in, tying it securely and then limping to the window just in time to see Vimes leave the Palace and pause.

After a moment of watching the Commander intently, Vetinari watched him touch his helmet, then grin and wave before darting off. And he smiled, privately, just to himself. An interesting man indeed...and worth having on your side.

*Vetinari had suggested that since Vimes was generally late and sometimes had to leave for important matters, that Vimes got the seat closest to the door. Vimes had added that it meant he could stop any people from trying to get in, and allowed him a view of nearly everyone in the room, just as the Patrician's seat did for Vetinari. Vetinari had dismissed this as 'a mere coincidence.' Vimes had said that if this was coincidence he was a swamp dragon's mummy.

Sorry this took so long guys, and I know there are no arguments yet, I swear that the fifth chapter has them all...I haven't done a story like this at all for awhile, so I have to feel out some important parts first, before I get them all arguing. I've never written things for Mrs. Palm, Lord Downey, or Lipwig, so I need to do some experimentation. next chapter should be up by...I'd like to say about two weeks from now, but it might be sooner, might be later.