"It took you quite a while to wake up," Ruth remarked. "Well, if I were you, I wouldn't be eager to wake up either with such beauty in my arms."

From Eric's voice, she gathered that he hadn't gotten up yet.

Eric sighed. "Do you know how the antagonists in novels usually meet their end?"

Ruth paused momentarily and asked, "How do they meet their end?"

"They meet their demise from talking too much. Anyway, what's up? Have you reached Salt City?" Eric asked.

The previous night, Eric had learne