“Can I have a drink from your pool?” queried Michael.

“Yes you may.” stated the man. “Who are you?”

“Michael.”

“Good name. How did you come here?”

“There was this guy in the wood, and he told me to follow the sand trail, and…”

“That would be Robur.” said the man. He laughed, “I bet he was frustrated when you wanted to leave wasn’t he? He doesn’t understand discontent. Is he the first person you met here?”

“No, I also met this man in these really weird hallways named Amara-, Amara- something, I’m not sure.” said Michael.

“Amarantos is what I think you mean.” Michael nodded. The man looked at Michael and continued, “You were dissatisfied with both of them. You humans are all the same, unable to accept contentment, but still trying to find peace. What is to become of you I wonder?”

“Who are you?” asked Michael.

The man laughed again. “I am Mimir.”

“Mimir? What does that mean?”

“I’m a keeper of the well that men seek in the desert. Would you like some?” Mimir offered a cup full of the crystal pure water to Michael.

“Yes, of course I would.” Michael reached out for the cup, and Mimir gave it to him. “What do you do out here? I can’t think that there’s a lot of profit in this.” Michael said.

Mimir chuckled, and then shrugged his shoulders. “There’s as much profit here as in any city. In the city I compete for people’s attention with the all the distractions of the world. Out here I get only two kinds of people, people who are searching and people who are lost. Do you mind telling me which you are, Michael?”

“I just want to go home.” said Michael.

“Oh, is that all?”

“Yes.”

“Where’s home Michael?”

“I don’t know, or else I could find it.”

Mimir laughed so hard, he almost choked. “Where do you want to go Michael?” He asked after he had stopped laughing.

“Back to my bedroom, I guess.” Michael said.

Mimir smiled and waved his hand. Michael heard the hiss of sand behind him, and he turned in time to see a broad chasm open up behind him. “It’s been nice talking to you Michael.” said Mimir, and then he planted one hand on Michael’s chest and shoved him down, down, down into the chasm. He fell forever, the blackness enclosing him like a cold blanket.

Michael awoke with a start, and sat up. He was at home in his bed. Silver moonlight splashed over his bed and down onto his floor. He felt all around his bed, and then pinched himself. Laughing, he shook his head. “What a weird dream.” He chuckled some more, and plumped his pillow. He laid back down, turning once or twice, and was soon fast asleep.