An End to the Forger

Amairgen, feeling more confident in her treachery, approached Lady Zephy, Mistress of the Iron Citadel, with a new plan. Her eye was now set on Merentesh, whose superior products were causing the Paladins and the Infernals much grief. She ordered Zephy to find an Infernal versed in the arts of deception and treachery, and to bring him or her back in a few months.

When Zephy returned, she brought with her the Lady Faile. Amairgen gave a circlet to her, one that was writhed in shadows. Faile's job was to convince the Champion of the Innocent, Mat Corey, to deliver the ring to Merentesh as a gift in an attempt to lower his prices. The ring, however, like all things that come from the mind of Amairgen, had another covert purpose.

Mat quickly agreed to the plot, though upon arriving at the weapons gallery, Mat warned Merentesh of the possibility of a trap. However, once Merentesh saw what appeared to be a fabled 'Circlet of the Shadows', he became overwhelmed with desire for the ancient artifact. Bargaining away what seemed to be the strong advantages in the forging market he had, Merentesh quickly convinced Mat to present the circlet to him.

However, the ring was not a 'Circlet of the Shadows', and when Merentesh put it on, he was overwhelmed by the darkness of death magic, consuming him almost wholly. Only a small part of him remained, whisked away by Amairgen's now stronger magic. And that part sits now in a jar on the shelf of Amairgen.

With no owner, the Weapons Shop of Delos closed. Perhaps it was the secret wish of the Paladin smiths that it would end that way. Only their honour and spirit will tell through time.