Wind.
It surrounded, shoved, lifted. Ewyn's green Univega rose after a jump, soaring -- for a moment, he was wind. Then he plummetted, bike easing down onto new front suspension shocks. He braked, swinging a half-circle with his back tire and stopped. Westward he gazed, thoughtful eyes piercing haze and pondering the landscape before him. Melting sun over craggy, distant peaks accentuated the trials yet to come. The journey had not been easy thus far, but he hoped it would be worth it.

To understand, to have every block fit neatly into place, to be free from trivial musings and perplexedness . . . a quest many had attempted, but in which few had succeeded . . . Ewyn was determined to be one of the few.

Weeks passed, each day Ewyn raced closer to his goal. Through valleys of skunk cabbage and wild corn, hills of lupine and sweet peas, and brooks of trout and frogs he rode, a silent breeze disturbing leaves and grass, disappearing in an instant. Soon the mountain he sought was in sight, its towering apex like a beckoning hand. Ewyn frowned. Does it mock me?, he thought. With a wry grin he gritted his teeth and rode on once more. Soon, I will know.

Dashing through low branches, oblivious to scratches developing on arms and face, Ewyn ran. A flat tire a few miles before had merely slowed him down a little, not stopped his progress. Surely I must be nearly there, he thought between gasps for breath. And then, there she was. He stopped abruptly, skidding on twigs and nearly losing his balance, stopping just inches from her face. Taking a step back, he grinned.

"Finally."

"I know your wish," she said, looking up with eyes that gently pierced his soul.

"Then tell me", he demanded, sounding harsher than he meant as he tried to slow his haggard breathing.

She smiled. "It's easier than you think." He caught her gazed and his eyebrows narrowed slightly, questioning. She continued, "In fact, you have already done all you need to."

"That's impossible. I still have no understanding." She was nearly laughing now.

"Your acknowledgement of misunderstanding and your very desire and attempt to understand have led you here. And now you know. Now you see and comprehend." And he did see. The blocks do not simply fall into place; they must be placed carefully to make a true and accurate picture. It was so simple he laughed, and she nodded,

"So, now that you understand women, what are you going to do?"