Tale 16 told by Taniwha on 28.11.2000
Wedding heartbreak

This scruffy old man came into the tavern the other day.  He must have been
plump in the pocket; bought a round of beer for the whole room.  I knew
right off he wasn't from around here though, because he paid the barkeep
with gold nuggets.  He looked like he could use a friend, so I pulled a
stool up next to him and let him buy me a few beers while I listened to his
story.  A sad tale it was too.  Seems when he was just a lad, he fell in
love with this young woman.  I believe he said her name was Duskwind.  He
was very poor at the time, but he had promising prospects.  He asked her to
marry him, but when she found out that he couldn't afford to buy her a ring,
she said no.  Apparently, she didn't think a man who couldn't even afford an
engagement ring could keep her in the fashion to which she was accustomed. 
Disillusioned and heartbroken, he went out to seek his fortune, in the hopes
of proving himself worthy to be her husband.  But the years changed him,
making him bitter.  When I asked him if he was going to search for his
Duskwind, he merely said, "All she wants is my gold." So, my advice to you
is to get out, see the realms.  Don't be too hasty to settle down.