instruments, and the overall look of a simple man's life filled the room.
Jude comfortably lounged in a chair next to Welkin. She was a gorgeous young woman. Her thick brown hair sprawled across her shoulders and seemed to carress her skin. She was naturally beautiful, though she
would never exploit it. Her modest demeanor made her even more attractive.
Welkin was nervous and careful not to make excessive contact with her tall, athletic body, because he was afraid to "cross the line." For the past 3 years, they had been great friends, but made no advances
toward each other. Now they sit alone in a dark room together.
He was unsure of her thoughts. Though they sat there talking idly about what was going on in their lives, he couldn't help but think about how much he loved her.
He found himself fighting back the urge to just reach out and kiss her. He feared that if she didn't feel the same way, then the years spent as friends may be lost. It was for this reason that he seemed increasingly nervous over these past few months. He was unsure of how or even if he would tell her how he felt.
He caught himself staring at her. Her radiant beauty, along with the full moon's light seemed to make her glow. He wondered if now was the time to tell her...
"So, I heard you had your eye on someone." Welkin muttered, stammering to find words.
"Oh, really..." she said slyly. "Where did you hear that?" she continued, obviously intrigued by the sudden change in conversation.
Welkin replied, "A friend." He was careful not to approach the subject quickly. This way, he could back out of it if the conversation were to turn awkward.
"Well actually, there is this one guy." As she replied, she turned her body more toward him.
"Really? Do I know him?" Welkin was visibly nervous now.
"Yeah. I think you do.
He was unsure if she was playing along with his conversational sidestepping, or if it really could be another man. He set up his next statement to allow him his escape if he needed it. He sat back and spoke as if he were indifferent, "Really? Who would that be?"
A silent moment passed over them both. It seemed to last an eternity. Welkin hadn't realized it at the time, but he was holding his breath, waiting for her response.
Jude suddenly broke the awkward silence, "It's you... I love you."
Welkin's heart began pounding. He got an awkward feeling in his stomach. His head felt light, he suddenly became short of breath. He stared at the wall, a moonlit shadow of her was cast against the brick. He didn't know what to say. For such a long time he'd wanted to tell her what he felt, but now he couldn't find the words.
A sudden noise... Screaming... White light. He felt cold...
Welkin suddenly awoke, soaked with sweat. He was dazed, unsure of where he was for a moment. He then realized, he'd dreamt about her again.
Shaking his head, he rose, tore off his sheets, and padded over to a wooden table with small basin set under a large mirror. The stone floor was cold on his bare feet. He leaned against the wood paneled wall and turned slighty to see his scarred back in the mirror, thinking aloud, "I missed my window. If only I hadn't froze up. If only I could have told her I loved her, She might not now be gone..."
It has been some 8 years now since that pivotal moment in his life. He will never forget, and never again mention what happened that eve. All he has left is to learn from it's disatrous subsequence.
In an effort to escape what took Jude from him that Autumn's eve, he abandoned all that he knew, including his possessions, and he went into hiding. Welkin has since learned to live on his own accord, and out of necessity, taught himself the arts of a Rogue.
He now sits alone at a small table in the "Eclipse Tavern" drinking an ale. Though, out of the corner of his eye, he sees some adventurers from his fellowship, sitting at the bar sharing a laugh with others, he chooses not to acknowledge them. Welkin is content with sitting alone, burying his face in the large mug in front of him.