He stood on the hill, looking at the object of his quest in the valley below. He was tall, road weary and tanned. His body hard from his struggle to rise and meet this challenge. It had been a difficult journey, but now he was here, on the verge of paradise.

He had been told as a boy of the fabled city, dedicated to Aphrodite, and the treasures it held. He had decided at at a rather young and brash age, that he would find that city and make it's treasures his own. It was then that the training began.

Daily he would train. He would use his imagination, trying to imagine the privation of the road and journey, to help him prepare. He would practice swordplay, strengthening his grasp. He would practice the art of persuasion, sharpening his tongue. He would practice defense and camouflage, so as to hide from his enemies and surprise his prey. He would practice his spells, testing his resolve. He would pound his body, building himself up through self abuse. He would do without food or drink, bringing definition to his senses and tastes. Daily he would train, until the day came for him to leave his home and strike out against the world.

He found many cities on the road. Some filled with rogues and turncoats that neither satisfied nor filled him. He found cities full of earthly delights, but found them to be shallow and thinly disguised ugliness. He found cities of gold and silver, but found the flash to be nothing more than vanity. He found cities long forgotten and was tempted by the refuge they offered, but travelled onward.

The road was cold, it was hot. It was starvation and danger. The road provided many things he needed, but not direction. And still he travelled, searching for clues. Looking for answers and hopes. Mountains, valleys, lush forests and deserts saw him pass through on his quest.

It was the sister mountains that gave him his first hope. He had spotted them from afar and remembered what the old men had said of the legend. The sister range was the first sign, the entrance by which you must pass, if ever the city you would hope to reach. He found them as they had been described. Full of life and bearing fruit he'd never seen. The fruit was beautiful, smooth in taste and nourishing. He imagined correctly that many a man could lose himself here and never quest forward. With anguish in his heart, he pressed on and left the mountains behind.

The plains below were equally as fertile as the mountains. Crystal clear rivers, gently rolling hills and warm sunshine. An Eden of soft grasses and refreshing breezes. He strolled through the pastures and fields slowly, savoring every moment. Here too, a man could lose his vision and his quest. No one would think any such man a fool, for only a fool would leave such a place.

Weeks past. And he was well. He felt replenished and whole; satisfied and with an inner calm that had never before graced his mind. In the distance he spotted another range of weather worn hills with a forested valley below. It was here, he felt, he knew, that his quest would take him. And he pushed on, strong, powerful after the long road.

He stood on the hill, looking at the object of his quest below. The forest, glade really, surrounded the city. It was like no city he'd seen previously. It took his breath away to behold this vision, this object so long sought, this hope, this dream made real. He prepared himself, for he did not know what defenses the city had. Would the city welcome him, or deny him? Would the city let loose beasts and terrors to devour him and deny him his goal?

The sentry post passed, and no alarm was raised. The birds were singing in the forest. Joy and peace emanated form the landscape. Even the rivers and streams reflected pure life and seemed to revel in themselves. He was unafraid and yet terrified. Tension ran through him, building his anticipation, while strengthening his resolve. And then he saw what he could not believe. The gates were opening, calling him in, welcoming him.

He could not know, he did not know, at that moment what the future held for him. He passed through the gates and into the city. Ready to accept his future, ready to accept his fate. Joy, peace, passion accomplished, and fulfillment are the last we see of him as he enters his dream.