Aethra - Jasira's Story

Chapter Nine: The Zeuxo Cliffs

The soft lapping of waves against the shore filled the air as Jasira, Kaida, and Thorne sat around the makeshift campfire they'd managed to build after a frustrating hour of trial and error. Their small base camp was tucked in a shallow cove of the lagoon, its waters clear and shimmering in the midday sun. The lagoon itself was a stroke of luck—an oasis of fresh water and abundant food, which made their unplanned detour more bearable.

Kaida squatted by the fire, poking at the embers with a stick, her brows furrowed in concentration. "I still can't believe we're on the other side of the island," she muttered. "We were supposed to be in the forest, not at the bottom of these cliffs. What did we even do wrong?"

As she spoke, a realization struck her like a bolt of lightning. Her eyes widened, and she let out a small gasp. "Oh, wait! It was me! I got so excited when I saw the path that led down the river, I rushed ahead and... well, I kind of fell right into the sinkhole!" Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and she rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly.

Jasira, seated cross-legged beside her, offered a reassuring smile. "It's not your fault. You didn't know there was a sinkhole, and honestly, it helped us grow stronger by working together to get out of that underwater cavern. We weren't seriously hurt, which is a blessing. And look where we ended up—we're at the base of the Zeuxo Cliffs. If we try to climb them without help, it could be dangerous."

Kaida nodded, her expression shifting from embarrassment to determination. "Yeah, I guess we can't change what happened, but we can figure out how to get out of this mess together."

Thorne, crouched by the lagoon's edge with a line fashioned from vines and a makeshift hook, frowned as he pulled in another small fish. "Climbing's not like tree climbing, Kaida," he said, his voice slightly teasing but serious beneath. "You keep talking about how easy it'll be, but rocks aren't as forgiving as branches. There aren't any ledges to rest on up there—it's just sheer stone. We're not big enough, or strong enough, to pull ourselves all the way up. Not without a rope or gear, at least."

Kaida gave him a sidelong glance, her pride slightly wounded. "Tree climbing is all about technique. You find your grips, test your weight. It can't be that different with rocks."

Thorne grinned, though his tone remained cautious. "You're stubborn, you know that? But this isn't the same. Look," he said, pointing up at the towering cliffs, "there's nothing to hold on to. No branches, no roots. Just sheer rock. And if we fall... well, you know what happens then."

Kaida didn't reply, but she gave the cliffs a long, hard look, her usual confidence faltering. The Zeuxo Cliffs were intimidating, even to her. Their surface was smooth, almost polished, by the relentless winds and sea spray. There were no easy paths up, no natural ledges for resting. They were built for seasoned climbers, not three kids stranded on a scavenger hunt gone wrong.

Jasira, sensing the tension, spoke up again. "It's okay. We don't have to figure everything out now. The important thing is that we're safe here. We have water, food, and shelter. And... worst case scenario, a patrol will come by tomorrow. They always send someone if we don't return on time. That is what Elara explained to me before I came out".

Thorne nodded, gutting the fish with practiced ease, just like his father had taught him during their hunting trips. "Yeah, we're not in that bad of a spot. This lagoon's got plenty of fish, and it's not like we're starving. I've seen edible plants around too. Kaida's right about that part—this island's layout means we'll be seen eventually. Patrols are always checking the cliffs, especially around Zeuxo. If we stay put, someone's bound to spot us."

Kaida shifted uncomfortably, clearly hating the idea of sitting still and waiting to be rescued. "But we can't just wait, can we? It feels like we should be doing more."