Intent upon his tasks, Faramir didn’t spy the hazard and only trained agility saved him from falling. Glancing down, he discovered the culprit – an abandoned contest of marbles, circle still drawn in the dust.
Crouching he reached to gather the spheres. Fingering one, he remembered games long past, played in this very courtyard. Without thinking, he flicked his thumb skittering the marble towards its mates.
“Care for a game?”
Startled he turned toward his grinning King.
“A game?”
“Or do you fear I’ll beat you?”
Challenge thrown and accepted, two warriors knelt to do battle.