Whilst the adventurers consider the situation, Raquel rushes forward to confront the woman, pausing briefly to whisper a prayer. She takes Stephan's hand.
"I will gamble with you," she says.
"No!" Isaac begins to run toward her, but at a look from Macaria he freezes in his tracks.
"I cannot deny your challenge," she says. "What will be the nature of our wager?"
"Let it be a throw of the dice," Raquel replies. "I know I cannot defeat you at any game of skill."
"So be it."
From about her person Macaria withdraws a pair of dice, unusual in appearance. They are black, as if carved from jet. The pips appear to be tiny pearls. Upon close observation, it will be noted that the six, rather than being the ordinary two rows of three, consists of two pips set apart, above one central pip, which is itself above three closely set pips. This peculiar pattern might suggest a human face to one of vivid imagination.
Macaria tosses the dice upon the ground.
"I have rolled poorly," she says. "Your chances are good."
With trembling fingers Raquel picks up the dice and makes her toss.
"You have won, child," Macaria says. With these words Stephan seems to be released from a trance. He embraces Raquel unashamedly,
"You risked everything for me," he says. "A poor prize indeed."
As Isaac joyfully looks on, Macaria addresses the rest of the party.
"Is there anyone else who cares to challenge me?"