Alyza’s Ring

“Blast the Magi!” the young woodsman cursed, jumping to his horse, and racing back to his workshop. “Love is patient, she says! Outrageous!” The ring was not yet ready, and Kalin needed a plan, fast…”

Ring for Alyza
Forged in brass & plated in lush 24k gold.
Sizes 5-12

Read below to follow our love struck artisan as he fashions an engagement ring in great haste before plunging into the forest to meet his love.

Alyza’s Ring

“Blast the Magi!” the young woodsman cursed, jumping to his horse and racing back to his workshop. “Love is patient!(?) Outrageous!” The ring was not yet ready and Kalin needed a plan, fast.

“Pull the hinge pins on Lady Gannin’s hope chest! Regi, stoke the fire!” The flywheel whirled over cherry red embers as the forge yawned to life. His client could spare a few strands of rosette brassaline for a need such as this. In haste he fashions the brass shank into a small ring. Rough and showing facets from his grinders and thin lines from his files, he pockets his treasure, grabs his bag, and runs for the door.

Away he plunges into the forest. His black Friesian tearing through the wooded path. As he pushes further into the wooded trail, Kalin hears only the wind and feels the lantern of green shining down from the forest canopy above – he is floating.

And then, she appears – Alyza.

“You’re late,” she smiles.

He slips from his mount and the two fall into an embrace. Love struck hearts beating together again. Finally, he lets her go and pulls a small pouch from his pocket. With gravity, he pulls the ring from the pouch, bows his head, and offers it to her. She had mostly been expecting this. They had planned this escape for some time now. A secret to everyone and a time she knew he might propose. She loved him and had played the moment many times in her head. But this ring before her wasn’t at all like the other rings she had seen made by the Magi – things of exquisite beauty and fine craftsmanship.

“It is such a,,,unique work. The Magi is, indeed, unpredictable.” she chimed. She can see the sweat of fluster still on his forehead and her eyes soften.

“Yes,” he finally manages to get out, and then adds, “She said there wasn’t another like it.”

Alyza, sensing the situation, lets out a quick laugh. “I can imagine!” She pauses for a moment, “I know she works in symbols. Tell me, young Kalin, what does she say about the flat places here and there and everywhere on its surface? I have never seen such a thing on a ring.”

His eyes widen at just how much the grinding marks show all about the ring. “She says that these facets are like those of a jewel but more complex. They represent the many sides of you, my love.”

“I see,” she remarked, eyebrow raised, hiding a tiny smile. “And what about these marks here? Almost like…tiny scratches upon each of my many facets.” The file marks reflected brightly in the sunlight.

“Ah those… To make those, the Magi held my hand and used a hawk’s feather to trace over the ring’s surface. She told me these were my very own fingerprints that would hold and keep you safe, even when I am not around.”

Alyza was clearly impressed with the quick wittedness of this ambitious boy and decided to test him once more. “And this gap here, where the circle is not complete. The Magi is known for her craftsmanship and uses her invisible solder joint as an example of her skill.”

“Yes, that is most typical. But this ring is not typical at all. The Magi assured me that this ring is even stronger than one with no beginning and end. Do you see here, in the space that is the tiny gap? The Magi says that in head and heart, this is as far as we will ever be from each other. She added that this space will drive the magnetic force that will always be between us. She says that inside of this tiny gap lies the very spark of passion!”

With that Alyza threw herself forward into his arms. Fingers interlaced with his. Her soft hair gathered at his cheek. “The Magi is indeed wise, my Kalin, and I will gladly be your wife. But I must say that I disagree with her on one small point.” Her looked at her quizzically. “For tonight,” she said, stroking his hair, “there shall not even be that much space between us.”

fin

Epilogue:
Far away, the Magi sits alone at her hearth, humming to herself. She strokes a ring at her finger. While worn smooth with years, closer inspection reveals nearly invisible lines tracing over soft ridged facets. Her thumbnail catches the edge of a tiny gap. She smiles into her evening fire, humming to herself, thinking of a boy she once knew. “Love is patient. Goodnight, my love.”

(Copyright 2021-2022, Jim Skanberg)