Chapter 4: Close to the Edge, pp. 192-204 Summary

Death sits in his garden, sharpening his scythe. Fate enters the garden and says he has a task for him. Death tells Fate that he is needed in Pseudopolis to stalk the streets and rescue people from the white plague. Fate reports that it is fated for Rincewind and Twoflower to die soon. Death shrugs, saying everything dies in the end, so he has no need to chase the travelers anymore. Fate gets upset and leaves in a puff of blue flame. Death finishes sharpening his scythe and heads to his stable to saddle his horse.

Twoflower gushes at the astronomic display in the room. There is an astrolabe illustrating the Discworld planetary system. Rincewind spots two uniforms of white leather and brass straps with big copper helmets. The uniforms give...