His watchfulness was acute, intense, desperate.

When, after a time, he straightened himself again, rewarded by Obadiah's more regular breathing, the sweat stood in beads upon his face.

He knew that he had triumphed.

Obadiah would live, and Marion-- He placed his mouth close to the councilor's ear.
"Tell me about Marion," he said again.

"Marion--Marion--Marion--" He waited, stilling his own breath to catch the sound of a whisper.