The Earl asked them to rest for a while longer, as it was nearly evening, and they wouldn't be able to return to the stockade before dark, so they had to choose to stay here for the night.
Although there were fruits to eat in the cave, staying here for the night made them think about the prospect of hunting nearby; grilling their catch would be far preferable to fruit, which couldn't thoroughly satisfy their hunger.
The dry food they brought in the morning was already eaten, and the Veteran Hunter prepared to take the young men out of the cave to hunt.
The Earl was concerned that they might encounter wild beasts, especially since beasts prowled in the night; for their safety, he decided to accompany them.
Outside, the mountain was covered with a dense forest, many trees so old that two men couldn't encircle them with their arms.
