When Eduard laid down to go to sleep, he grabbed a book he had brought with him. It was a romance novel he had been reading for some weeks now. Every once in a while when he had some free time, Eduard liked to dedicate himself to reading. He would either review medical texts or catch up with his favorite novels. Usually, he enjoyed fictional novels. Stories depicting heroes who were larger than life saving the world and getting the girl at the end. Or, mighty gods fighting for supremacy. Of course, some might consider these to be childish entertainment. But, for Eduard it was a good and simple way to pass the time. He rather enjoyed the predictable endings and character archetypes. However, every once in a while he liked to sit down and read a love story. Some of them were awfully predictable and cheesy. Full of clichéd lines and predictable plots. But, somehow Eduard always found them amusing. A few months ago, Eduard had 'befriended' a local author in Portea. The two became friends after Eduard saved his brother after being bitten by a poisonous spider. Before Eduard left Portea, the author and him spent a few nights together. Before he left, the author handed him a copy of his newest work. A novel about two noble young men who had fallen for each other. It was a tale of forbidden love filled with tragedy and political intrigue. 

Once Eduard had settled down, he picked up the novel and started reading. However, it wasn't long before he drifted off to sleep. The journey to Kalla and the encounter with the sand wyrm had worn out the old doctor. Eduard woke up some time later. He was in the middle of a dream, imagining him and the tailor sitting on the porch of his estate. The two were drinking and laughing together. Eduard sighed, rubbing his eyes. What a childish fantasy. It was like he was in college again. Dreaming of your crush. The doctor scoffed and looked around, seeing if it was something or someone that had waked him. That is when he decided to take a look inside one of his bags. He stumbled upon a not-so-pleasant surprise. The snacks he had brought along for the journey were gone. In fact, someone had gone specifically into his bag to grab a few pieces of cheese and crackers. Could it had been an animal? Probably. No one in the group seemed like the type to raid someone's bags for food. And less at this hour.  

Eduard grabbed his sword and stood up, his knees popping as he did. He stretched and scanned the cave again. All he saw were some of the other group members who were still asleep and the fire still going strong. Eduard slowly made his way toward the fire, scanning the cave for any signs of an intruder.