The Players by Everett B. Cole, Science Fiction, Adventure

THE STAR GODS WERE PLAYING A GAME "Some sleeping rugs, perhaps? Or a finely worked bronze jar from the East?" The stranger nodded. "Possibly. But I would like to look a while if I may." Musa stepped aside, waving a hand. "You are more than welcome, friend," he assented. "Perhaps some of my poor goods may strike your fancy." Little did Musa know that this man, Lanko, was a member of the Philosophical Corp, guarding this planet. Little did Musa know that he'd once known Lanko -- but his memory had been erased. It was a rich and fabulous world of oceans and deserts and dreams. It was an experimental world, ruled by benign watchers. But greedy men had found the world -- The Players -- had found this world of riches and wished to use a game of power to make it their own.