Strolling in Tregere
Grond and Michael have a pleasant stroll through the morning at Tregere. The weather is pleasant though the clouds on the horizon suggest rain late in the day. Grond keeps a vigilant eye on the locals you pass, but there is no obvious threat. The Port Authority man awaits you at his office. After a brief exchange of pleasantries he leads you to a small skiff and a pair of toad men begin to row up a narrow stream heading North. After about 10 minutes you arrive at a rustic looking wooden dock lined with flowering plants. A dozen small boats of various sorts are already docked. A group of 20 or so locals, apparently rowers, lounge in the sun sipping some sort of mint tea from large glasses and chatting, whittling, or just relaxing. Above the dock is a stone stair leading up to a house. The steps are bleached white by years of exposure to salt and sun. You can hear breakers from beyond the house suggesting it overlooks the beach. As you make you way up the stair more of the house becomes visible. A stately old place in heavy stone squatting on the top of the hill. It is a two story affair with deep wrap around porches below and shaded balconies above. The smell of bacon, coffee and fresh baked bread wafts down as you approach. Along the hill to the right is an extensive garden protected by a low stone wall topped by a green painted wooden fence. Every third board has a starfish shaped cut out near the top. To the left a gate in a waist high stone railing supported by thick round columns about two feet high is manned by an attractive woman in a white dress that is flattering though not unduly revealing. She wears a large white hat with a very deep brim to protect her from the sun. A few men are standing nearby on the back patio smoking. Flowering bushes, some sort of azaleas limit your view of the outdoor dinning area beyond the woman. She greets your host with a squeeze on the arm and he gives her a peck on the cheek. She says in a polished voice, "Ah Gustav, so good to see you again. Will there be three for breakfast this morning?" She looks at him and he looks at you obviously wondering if Grond will join you or await you.