Chapter 22: The Master Returned
Just as Lara lifted the sizzling fish from the grill, a familiar figure emerged behind the mango tree. She noticed that Jethru did not come from the direction of the hanging bridge. Instead, he appeared from where the waterfalls were.
Could there be another entry to Galeya’s Throne?
During the modern era, the government undertook a project to create a stone staircase that wound its way from the summit of Mount Roca, carved out from the steep, craggy slopes of the mountain.
It was for the benefit of tourists and mountaineers. Like her, those who were more daring chose to rappel from the mountain peak down to the plateau.
Her gaze lingered on the waterfalls as the image of the staircase overlapped before it shifted back to the old man carrying a big bundle, one on his back and the other on his left hand. He looked worn out, and he must have traveled a distance.
The lingering aroma of smoke and freshly cooked fish mingled in the air as Lara set the fish aside and observed her master as he dropped two big sacks on the ground.
"Hmmm. Not bad. It looked like you found yourself at home. And your fish smelled so delicious. Where did you get that?" The white-haired old man swallowed his saliva.
"I caught them from the stream in the other mountain, Master," Lara answered nonchalantly.
"What? Why did you go there on your own? Don’t you know how dangerous Ourea is?" Jethru’s voice rose a pitch higher.
"I did not venture far, Master." Lara maintained her respectful tone.
"Hmmp! The wild animals in Ourea are very fierce. There are lions and tigers, even bears. One moment of carelessness, and they could turn your body into a meat paste."