Broken Diadem

Item · 10 gp · Weight 0

As you pick it up, you sense an echo of an ancient memory... "The angel flinches as I approach. The lock-shaped pendant on her wrist gently clinks as it collides with the other three. The silken dress, one of my gifts, rustles quietly. The jeweled pin glints, half-hidden under her gorgeous white locks. 'Drink with me, my dear. I have brought you wine all the way from Elysium.' I offer her a goblet of wine, but she turns away. I take no offense, I drink in the sight of her. I am admiring her pristine beauty, which I, like a diligent gemcutter, have perfected by dressing her in the finest gowns, by adorning her with the finest jewelry. 'You don't have to be like this,' she whispers. Afraid of ruining the sublimity of her image, I gently touch her hair. I suddenly realize that I still do not know her name. 'I am going to call you my songbird. You brighten my palace, but your songs are repetitive. As the trills of all birds are wont to be. Such is your nature.' She jerks her chin up, her gaze fixing on me. Her eyes are so beautiful. So rarely does she raise them to look at me like that, directly. 'I don't need your gifts, Nahyndri!' She tears the diadem from her head and throws it. The precious metal bends, the diamonds scatter on the floor. 'Hear my words, I beg of you! I can sense the good in your soul, I believe that you can rise above the Abyss. You can be better.' Her voice is so sweet. I am smiling. I am happy."