Soul Music - Hearing

Mustrum Ridcully was jolted upright in bed, because the bed itself was being gently vibrated across the floor. So it had happened at last! They were out to get him. The tradition of promotion in the University by filling dead men's shoes, sometimes by firstly ensuring the death of the man in those shoes, had lately ceased. This was largely because of Ridcully himself, who was big and kept himself in trim and, as three late night aspirants to the Archchancellorship had found, also had very good hearing.

They had been variously hung out of the window by their ankles, knocked unconscious with a shovel, and had their arm broken in two places. Besides, Ridcully was known to sleep with two loaded crossbows by his bed. He was a kind man and probably wouldn't shoot you in both ears. That sort of consideration encouraged a more patient type of wizard.

Everyone dies sooner or later. They could wait.

***

Soul Music - p78