“Anyone who can steal the king's seal ring can manage the locks on his record room.”

“I want you to steal something."I smiled. "Do you want the king's seal? I can get it for you.""If I were you," said the magus, "I'd stop bragging about that." His voice grated.My smile grew. The gold ring with the engraved ruby had been in his safekeeping when I had stolen it away.”

“Why did you come if not to murder my king?""I came to steal his magus.""You can't," said the magus in question."I can steal anything," Eugenides corrected him, "even with one hand.”

“The prison keeper choose an inopportune time to look around the doorway into the cell. He and the king locked gazes, and the king's eyes narrowed while the prison keeper's widened.”

“I was listening," the king said, aggrieved. "I closed my eyes to listen better.""What did you hear?""I'm not sure," he said." That's why I was listening so closely. I may have to ask the baron to repeat some parts of his report on his grain tax.""I am sure you can arrange an appointment.""I am sure I can too.”

“Tell me a story then...keep me occupied.""A story?...What makes you think I can tell a story?""Insight," said the king, "Go on.”

“I am not sure I trust you.""You can trust me with your life, My King.""But not with my wine, obviously. Give it back.”