[Elias]

Not a single fence would take the ring, no matter where Elias went. No corner of Elysia was dark or seedy enough; not a single person would give Elias a single xanthai, nor a shiny new dagger, or even another ring. Every single time Elias held it up to a treacherous, greedy fence and tried to talk up some kind of story, it was pushed back into his face. It was usually the same excuse, as if they all knew and were afraid of the old lady Elias had stolen it from.

“I can’t accept it, it’s…forboding.”

“This ‘ere ring’s ominous, mate! S’the stuff of bad dreams ‘n nightmares!”

Suddenly, Elias found himself without any other options. After days of gathering information, and countless failed attempts at selling the ring to countless more jewelers Elias had discovered that an Elysian god, “Xanth” apparently, accepted various kinds of donations in exchange for blessings. While Elias had never taken any stock in Elysian religions, and frankly believed that the Zanaryan gods had forsaken him long ago, there was nowhere else for Elias to turn.

After entering the Quadrangle, and coming ever-closer to Xanth’s massive statue, Elias felt less and less confident that he’d get anything worthwhile out of the trade. However, there was no choice; if Elias couldn’t get rid of the ring here, then in hundreds of years, he’d be nailed into a coffin and buried with the ring locked around his finger.

“Take this ring. End my misfortune. Xanth! I can no longer bear to hold onto this golden curse!”

Elias thrust the ring out, and decided to become silent, anticipating some kind of response. Anything from actually having Xanth reply and take it, to a drifter approaching Elias and offering coin for it, would be acceptable. As if it would help, Elias shut his eyes and silently prayed.

[Xanth]

Xanth gaped at the make-shift "screen" on the temple wall opposite her throne, her hand stilled in the act of stroking Faroah's spine. He grumbled in his sleep at the sudden lack of movement, but Xanth was simply too startled by the display to recommence with his petting.

It did not do for a goddess to gape, slack-jawed like a blithering babboon. This was not even the first time brazenness brought a visitor to her statue with an offering that did not belong to them, but this thief had such nerve! To even try pawning his ill-gotten gains off on her - a goddess! - rather than dealing with the consequences of his own actions...!

Did he think she would not realise the ring's origins? Did he honestly call this a donation? Could he really think he might get away with this?

She was sorely tempted to hex the misbegotten youth, to keep a constant eye on him so she could ensure his future ventures would all fail, but she reigned in (most of) her temper.

That said, a very wicked look entered her eye and she sat back in her throne to watch the thief's comeuppance, her hand returning to its gentle petting as Faroah snored softly in his sleep.

Moments after his arrival in the quadrangle, Elias Solanus would find that the ruby ring had grown tiny, fluffy golden wings. No matter how he tried to get rid of it, the would follow him wherever he went.

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[Elias]

After a few moments, Elias’ eyes fluttered open and he decided that the deity would ignore him this day. Just as it was nearly time for Elias to turn and give up, his hand dropped absentmindedly, and he realized that the ring was no longer in his hand. Immediately, his face lit up, and something dawned on poor Elias: the ring was gone! Xanth had lifted the ring into the aether, and now Elias was free! It was an occasion almost worth dancing for, but all Elias could think about was making his next pinch. This time, only pure coins would be sought after, and never again would Elias ever nab another jewel.

Flutt-utt-utt-er

The sound of feathery wings beating against the air distracted Elias, and when he looked around to investigate, a second and terrifying truth darkened his brow.

“No! No! Sochet! Bisu! Shiiva! What has been wrought upon me!?”

Truly Xanth must have had the sickest sense of humor as the ring had sprouted a pair of rings, and was flying just next to Elias’ head. Elias stumbled back, and sure enough, the ring flapped forward and retook its comfortable place next to his head. Swatting wildly, Elias did his best to kill it like a fly, or at least make it follow somebody else. When the ring returned, unhindered, it occurred to Elias that there was nothing he could do.

Today, Elias had approached a god asking for a curse to be lifted; lo and behold, a brand new curse was levied. Elias rubbed the bridge of his nose, slouched in defeat, and slowly trudged out of the quadrangle. As if it was excited to see where Elias would go next, the winged ring bobbed and fluttered after him.