The Dwarvan Wedding Ring page 4
Brought before the Dwarvan Council, Irasci managed to plead eloquently on his own behalf for his life. Moved to pity, the Council judged that his punishment would not be death, but to live in exile with the haunting memory of his deed. They ordered him to return the ring to Lisski's family, and then sent him away. Tearfully, Lisski's father placed the ring on his finger. Shortly afterwards Irasci was found, dead by his own hand, in the very mine in which Lisski had been placed, murdered. Most considered it a fitting end for him, and gave it no more thought. But that night, loud shouts were heard from the home of the Deepfind Kin.
   

 

Lisski's father tossed violently in his sleep, then spoke out that he had killed Irasci to avenge his daughter, and made it look like suicide to further shame the kin killer. From then on, almost every night, strange words were heard from the house from everyone who dwelt there. It was soon realized that anyone who wore the cursed ring would speak in his sleep. The ring was brought to the Council to decide its fate. Too beautiful to destroy, the ring was ordered displayed under glass in the Cave of Good Counsel so that all could still admire it.

Some time later, they began to use the ring in order to gain confessions and testimony. Hence the phrase “It has the ring of truth to it.” One morning, the Dwarves woke to find the glass shattered and their beloved treasure gone. Who took the ring, and its exact whereabouts, are to this day unknown. Some Dwarves still quest for the return of the ring, but for many, too much time has passed, and they consider the ring just a story to scare children into behaving.