He closed his eyes.

Was that really the tinkling of a guitar, the perfume of almond and cherry blossom, floating to him down the warm wind?
He began to lose himself in dreams until he realized that actual unconsciousness was close upon him.

Then he set his teeth tight and clenched his hands.

Away in the distance a faint, long-expected sound came travelling to his ears.

At last, then, his long wait was over.