Dexter finds himself in the middle of a vast, alien plain. In the distance to the north he can see a shining city with golden towers rising above the wall. He hikes closer to investigate, and soon he reaches the city's south gate, where a figure in red robes stands guard.
"Halt, dreamer!" demands the sentry. "You may not enter Thran until you have told me three dreams beyond belief."
"Am I dreaming now?" asks Dexter, confused.
"Yes, dreamer."
"I don't belileve it. That means this is the first dream."
The guard nods grudgingly. "You must still tell two more."
"I dreamed of a sunken city, deep beneath the waves at the bottom of the sea. When the stars are right, it will rise again."
"Not here in the Dreamlands."
"Then that makes two."
"No matter. You will not be able to think of a third."
"I dreamed that I approached the city of Thran, and the guard at the south gate opened it and let me in. Then he gave me a tour of the city and showed me all of its wonders personally."
"Never!" The sentry regrets the word as soon as it leaves his lips, but it is too late. He cannot call it back once it is spoken.
"Since you do not believe, that makes it the third dream. And in this place dreams can come true."
"So they can. I have never met a dreamer with such wit, not since Randolph Carter visited. You have earned your tour." With that, the sentry opens the gate and allows Dexter to enter the wondrous city. Another sentry takes over guard duty outside the gate while the guard who had quizzed Dexter leads him through the city on his promised tour. Dexter acquires much knowledge that will aid him when he returns to the Waking World.
