John Collier Spring

John Collier SpringCaravaggio The Crucifixion of Saint PeterCaravaggio The Cardsharps
Ridcully looked down. A greenish-yellow puddle was spreading under the door. The wood was charring, the flagstones were hissing, and the leather soles of his boots were definitely in trouble. He could feel himself getting lower.
He fumbled with the laces, and then took a standing jump on to a dry flagstone.
‘Bursar!’
‘Yes, Archchancellor?’
‘Give me your boots!’
‘What?’
‘he said.’We’ll . . . strategically withdraw to previously prepared positions.’
‘Who prepared them?’ said the Dean.
‘We’ll prepare them when we get there,’ said the Archchancellor through gritted teeth.’Bursar! Your boots! Now!’Dammit, man, I command you to give me your blasted boots!’ This time, a long creature with four pairs of wings, two at each end, and three eyes, popped into existence over Ridcully’s head and dropped on to his hat.‘But -‘‘I am your Archchancellor!’‘Yes, but -‘Ridcully looked around desperately.‘We’ll regroup in the Great Hall,’
They reached the double doors of the Great Hall just as