The Torq of Saint Arkadiusz
The Torq of Saint Arkadiusz is a relic imbued with the Soul of one of the earliest members of the Holy Chorus of Saints. Housed in the Mother Temple in Latharin, knowledge of the torq's existence is limited to key members of the Oprikarr due to its sacred nature of ensuring its wearer only speaks the truth.
The Life of Saint Arkadiusz
Arkadiusz Yahontov was one of the founding members of the Oprikarr, and one of Karr Jozef’s most trusted noblemen. His bravery, loyalty and ruthlessness secured his appointment as Chief Interrogator within the Oprikarr. His position only changed when Karrovich Benedek and his new bride were killed while travelling back to the Imperial Palace from the Mother Temple. In the political upheaval and infighting that followed, Arkadiusz found himself being tried and convicted of masterminding the assassination of the empire’s heir to consolidate the power of his rising faction within the Oprikarr. The Karr, in his grief, was willing to believe these lies. When asked at the scaffold if he had any final words, Arkadiusz blessed his emperor and swore to serve him even from the depths of death. Unfortunately for Karr Jozef, he had executed the wrong man. The revelation of Karrovich Benedek's true killer was the first of Saint Arkadiusz's miracles. He had come to his karr in a dream and revealed not only who the real mastermind was, but his subsequent foolish plans to murder the new karrovich and marry the karr's sister. The spirit of the Saint told Karr Jozef to take an insignificant piece of jewellery from the imperial family’s private collection. The karr chose a Mounai torq that had been gifted to his mother by visiting ambassadors. With Arkadiusz’s blessing, the temple’s priests summoned His Soul and bound it to the torq.“Did you lie to me, Mistress Ordesky?”
Nathalii tensed, wanting to resist, wanting to….
Something within the torq stirred. The Soul of Saint Arkadiusz. It knew she had heard Ekhorin’s question, and it sensed her overwhelming desire to lie.
by Brinsmead
Item type
Religious / Ritualistic
Oooh, I love how you went about answering this prompt! I feel sorry for the poor Arkadivsz, not only because my mind is butchering the pronunciation of his name but also because he seemed like such a kind a valiant soul. That he continued to serve the Karr even in death is a hell of a commitment, but at least he was rewarded with sainthood ^^. Great article!
Thank you so much for your kind words! This relic makes an appearance in my novel, and it was fascinating writing about Akadiusz and his life. I'm so glad he comes across this way.