Now one of the diggers tossed his shovel out of the grave and climbed out after it, announcing, "We've reached him, your majesty." The king nodded. The second workman followed his partner, and the two of them took up a large pair of grippers used, as a rule, to lift building materials. After a few minutes of clumsy maneuvering they laid the exhumed body on a blanket spread on the edge of the grave.
(Cue Twilight Zone theme.)
I hope you're enjoying these little snippets of the novel---also that your Christmas preparations are proceeding apace. May all your dandruff turn out to be snowflakes.