As your vessel nears the beach, you see that there are a dozen or more skiffs and cobles, some of large size, drawn up and dry docked amongst the sandy shores there. The gravelly bottom scrapes the hull, and you are quickly wading ashore.
The low area slopes ahead. You see that the land nearby is about 40 feet above the level of the water, the cliffs topped by hills. The slope will take you to the level of these bluffs. As the jagged, rocky ground to either hand of the beach area likewise climbs upward, your obvious pathway-and there is a beaten trail discernable ahead-is over the easy ground.
Your travel so far gives you a good idea as to what sort of time can be made walking here. From your hilltop vantage point you can see grasslands and forest, and from what you know you are able to estimate an approximate movement pace, according to the terrain type.
From this place, some two miles across, you are able to observe a fair distance, for the land is higher here '€" a slight swelling in the flatness of the plateau '€" and the fog and mist has burned away with the heat of the sun. It is hot! The land narrows to the northeast. Hills line both coasts in that direction.
Between the hills you see two engrossing objects. About a mile or two distant there is a small cluster of buildings. The other item is far larger and awe inspiring. About a mile beyond the villa is the largest temple you have ever seen! From this distance it is impossible to tell just how large it is, but it must be well over a bowshot in length and taller than most towers '€" 75 feet? 100 feet? Who can say? The trail leads toward the cluster of buildings and probably to the temple beyond as well.
