51

"'Tis my custom to still myself in prayer often as I can offstage, the better to call up the wag on the stage," you explain smoothly, reaching into your satchel with a flash of inspiration. You draw forth two marbles won from a boastful castle youth. "I stop up my ears with these, the better to concentrate on the Sacred Word."

They blink at you as you insert a marble just inside each ear. "And this thy daily custom is, young fool?" says King Saul.

You gape at him. With a sudden start, you reach in and remove one marble. "Apologies, Your Majesty—what was that?"

King Saul, you can tell, is miffed that you've intruded in this private moment. [-Saul] But to your great relief, they seem convinced enough that your presence is innocuous that, after only a few more sidelong glances, they turn their backs to you and return to their discourse.

You smile as you keep up a pretense of prayer; the marbles lightly resting in your ears don't restrict your hearing in the slightest, and each word comes through. Not a bad idea, you think, fairly pleased with yourself. [+Surety]

When they start to show signs of concluding their conversation, which centered on the disposition of some Royal lands, you rush through a final benediction and surreptitiously take your leave rather than draw their attention again as they pass you. You took a great risk, but hopefully the level of detail you can now bring back to Bisqueath will repay you.

Onward