"I'm awake, I'm awake," Aisen muttered, although he seemed to lack confidence in his words.
"Are you ready to get out of here?" Terakiel asked.
He nodded. "Is the ledge safe?"
"That's exactly what I'm about to find out," Casnie announced, striding over to the jagged hole in the cavern wall. "I'm the lightest, you see. I'll test it out for us."
Aisen grunted and kneaded his forehead as if he was in great pain. "By that logic the heaviest of us should test it first. If it holds then we know it's safe for everyone."
"Oh, that's silly," returned Casinie. "I'll get out there and see what the path is like. Once I make it a little ways down I'll be able to--catch one of you."
Her meaning was not lost on Terakiel. It was clear she would not be strong enough to catch either of the two men if they came tumbling down--but with the use of the Strand, there was no telling what she could accomplish. He supposed it made sense. At least in her case she had a reasonable level of control over her powers.
"She has already made it quite clear that we have no choice in the matter," said Terakiel. "It looks as if we have nothing else to discuss."
Aisen nodded, but his concern was noticeable. "Do be careful. You owe us nothing and you've been brought here against your will--"
"Tsk tsk," Casnie interrupted. "We have to work together here. I'm just doing what's best for the group--and I believe you know I understand the situation we're in." She cast a sidelong glance at Terakiel.
She must have felt like she had some sort of unique insight on Terakiel's situation. Although he was guilty for bringing her--and Aisen--to this place, he was grateful to have those two on his side. It was unlikely he would have been able to make it on his own for any extended period of time.
Without waiting for further discussion, Canie contorted her body in such a way that she could poke her leg through the hole in the wall. With a decidedly unfeminine grunt, she slithered out onto the ledge. Terakiel's breath caught in his throat for a moment as he heard the sound of her feet making impact with the rocks. For the moment, it seemed she had managed to stand upright without destroying the outside terrain--but he continued to observe with some concern.
With Aisen at his side, Terakiel peered through the hole as Casnie clambered down the ledge--more quickly than perhaps either of them would prefer. She was unexpectedly agile, her blue cloak fluttering wildly in the wind as she effortlessly made her way down the thin ledge.
"It looks like it might be safe," Aisen remarked.
The shirtless man did not reply. He was attempting to keep his eyes focused on the distant figure; she was now almost completely obscured.
"Should we follow?"
"Let's wait until she calls up to us," Terakiel suggested.
Aisen scoffed. "I'm not so sure I enjoy that idea after what just transpired."
Terakiel shot the other man a guilty look. "I--I apologize for what happened back there. After a certain point I was unable to turn back."
"I understand, but it's possible the situation here is similar. I think I may go on after her."
Aisen was probably right. Casnie seemed not to have had any problems making it down. In fact, she had positively sprinted down the ledge with reckless abandon. Though Aisen was likely slightly heavier than the woman, it was safe to assume he'd be able to make it as well.
"Very well. I will follow after you have made it a ways down."
The blonde man nodded and immediately set to pulling himself through the cavern hole. His attempt was somewhat less graceful than Casnie's, but with some effort he managed to tumble through. He crawled out onto the ledge, his feet still dangling from the cavern hole. After a moment of struggling, he wriggled all the way out and rose to his feet, flashing Terakiel a determined look as he did so.
"Be careful. I don't expect you to replicate Casnie's acrobatics."
"Do not worry. I hadn't intended to."
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