There was so much to consider in this particular situation. He could get quite a bit from Marian, he knew. She may not play the game anymore, but she still had pieces of value. She still had people in her pocket. She still had secrets.

He could get it all from her, take away any hope she had of rejoining the game. But if he did that, then he wouldn’t have her to play against. And while she wasn’t as good as he, she was at least good enough to be a challenge.

And ...