The Revealer

After retrieving the gold of the Nibelungs from Alberich’s realm in order to pay for the construction of Walhalla, Odin and Loki sat beneath a birch tree and examined the treasures. Loki extracted a ring with a large garnet and immediately said “this ring has a curse upon it.” Odin, who is supremely gifted in such matters, took the ring and pronounced a spell to reveal its truth. “Indeed, a curse of death befalls those who greed over it, but this is fate and cannot be undermined, for greed must be drawn from the hearts of men.” But he kept his deepest counsel secret and surrendered the band along with all the hoard of those who live in mist, that it may fulfill the purpose for which it was wrought. Death and tragedy ensued, but also justice, for every impiety committed in pursuit of the ring was cleansed with retribution. Long has it been returned to its rightful owners and the cycle of greed broken, and Odin’s secret may be known: “This ring is symbol of the parting of the darkness of death, and revealer of the gold of eternal life.”