Jego could still feel the agony that had burst into flame the moment the simple, gold band on left ring finger cracked. It was the reason he had chosen to join the protest of in Kintargo. It was the reason he was the man who would see House Thrune fall.
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The third Oathday of Pharast, two years ago had proved to be balmy day. A good day to unite two young lovers in an eternal bond. As with many who came to their modest chapel in Kintargo, the couple on this day had but a few coins and had been unable to purchase rings to symbolize their union. Jego and Anilana Erwis we're presenting the couple with the same gift they gave every pair that wed in their chapel: a pair of sanctified rings bound by length of silver ribbon.
”The priest who wed Jego and I gifted a pair to us. He said ‘though you may untie the ribbon that binds the rings, you can never untie the link sanctified rings have,’” Analina slipped the rings over the proper fingers of the couple as she spoke, letting the silver ribbon hang between them. ”We wish you a lifetime of happiness and that neither of your rings ever break.”
When Analina finished speaking, Jego pulled an iron chain from the wall. He turned to face the newly weds, ”I know the two of you are eager to celebrate,” he smiled and pulled a single, velvet wrapped chain link from his pocket, ”But if you could humor me. I always ask that when two become one here that they add a link to this chain. That way we are all connected in some way.” The young man peered at the single link and Jego answered, knowing the question before it could form on the man’s lips, ”We have calipers to tighten it and a friend who will weld it for us later.”
The door to the chapel burst open with a crash as the couple started to add their own link to the chain. Several people in black and red robes and wielding cruel maces strode down the aisle. ”That’ll be enough of this heresy!” One of the few behind a mask bellowed.
”There’s no heresy here. We’re simply uniting two young lovers in wedlock,” Analina stepped forward to greet the masked man.
The eyes behind the mask crinkled, the only hint of the smile underneath, ”Oh? We must have mistaken that man,” he raised a gloved hand and point to Jego, ”For some other heretic that abandoned the The Dark Prince’s teachings for….what is it called? 'The Wise Grandfather?’ What could it offer that Asmodeus could not? Wisdom?” The last word oozed from the masked man's mouth like burning pitch.
Jego shook his head slowly and stared deep into his wife's eyes. Those beautiful green eyes, ”No...it was love.”
For the briefest of moments the chapel was still.
”Then how's about we bring you back into the flock! The masked man slammed the head of the mace against Analina's crown. Her beautiful green eyes widened and lolled back as she toppled. Jego could hear the ring on his left hand crack, even over his own screams.
”Kill the lovebirds,” the masked man motioned to the couple before turning to walk back down the aisle,”But let the heretic live. Maybe the pain will help him to reconsider his decisions.”
Tears stained the wood floor as Jego cradled Analina. Behind him the young man fought in vain to protect his bride. It did not take long for the Asmodeans to strike down the pair.
One of the Asmodeans, a half-orc woman, lifted Jego to his feet, ”Ain't you got any valuables in this s&+$hole?!”
Jego struggled to meet the half-orc's gaze, ”N-no,” he stammered, ”Everything here was donated or paid for with donations.” His eyes drifted back to those green eyes.
”B#%*+~!#!” The woman drove a meaty fist into his nose, sending white-hot pain into Jego’s skull in the instant before he fell into the abyss.
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By the time Jego regained consciousness, the Asmodeans had desecrated the altar and left the young couple dead at its base. With swollen and bleary eyes Jego crawled to Analina's body. When the city watch finally arrived, they found Jego lying beside his wife, his white robes stained with his wife's blood. Before they pulled him away, Jego removed Analina's ring and slipped it on beside his own.
