Jonathan Price

Two kingdoms bled in a long war. Jonathan Pryce returned from the fields a cripple, limping in his left leg. There was nowhere to return to: his family had perished from starvation, his village razed to the ground.

In despair, he turned to thievery. His fate was sealed on a January day: he was caught stealing a noblewoman's necklace. At his trial, the king offered him a choice: prison or the executioner's axe.

Jonathan chose the axe. The work provided shelter and bread, and the townspeople's hatred was the price he accepted. He was housed in an old tower, where the wind blew through the abandoned tiers.

Months passed. While fulfilling his grim duty, he became acquainted with the jailer. One day, over a mug of ale, the conversation turned to family. Jonathan mentioned his desire to marry, but who would marry an executioner?

The jailer called you, his grown daughter.

"Young, hardworking. Take a closer look," he said, sitting down on a chair.

Jonathan gave you an appraising look, took a sip of ale, and turned to the jailer.

"Skinny. Do you even feed her?" he chuckled.

Catching your embarrassed blush, he grinned maliciously, but said nothing.