The Wager

[Heart of the Cosmos, a gathering of the Elders of the Universe]

Grandmaster: Taneleer, I know they GAVE it to you, but we can’t start a proper GAME until all the pieces are on the board. We’ll put it someplace neutral. <waves a hand at a giant game board representing the planet Earth>

Collector: That only puts half the stones on the board, En Dwi. It seems unwise to give up a prize I’ve been freely given, on a gamble to acquire the rest.