Epilogue
The citrine was an interesting gem. Its yellow hue suggested a murky taint surpassing even the most clouded rose quartz. Yellow, the color of sunlight, was also the color of illness and deterioration. Unlike the shining, golden-white of the sun, citrine bore a hint of the unclean in its amber tones.
Ruby, on the other hand, signified strength. Only two rungs up the ladder of power, the gap between the bloody red gem and the yellow stone was never-the-less significant. Unlike those who typically bore the citrine, a wielder of the ruby was willing to acknowledge the darkness in their soul; and, perhaps, more honest in embracing it.
It was no surprise that a man who wore his ruby openly at his ear might harbor the strength to overcome the sneak tactics of a more experienced but we
