The cool breeze of night surrounds the small tavern in the Rover Mountains. The BearClaw Gang continues their celebration of their new prizes. The Silver Expeditioners enter the tavern and quickly look around without Isra's super speed to avoid unnecessary attention. They decide to look around adjacent bars until they are directed by an owner of another bar back to Rover Mountain Range Tavern.
Bar Owner: The common thief much prefers Rover Mountain Range Tavern.
Salv: And why might that be?
Bar Owner: Easier to blend in, I suppose.
Silva: Thanks for the help.
Back at Rover Mountain Range Tavern…
Bear: Anotha 'round of stout beers for me and the lads!
Duck: (Glares) Ahem.
Bear: And an IPA for the lass.
Tavern Server 1: Right away.
An unkempt man takes a seat behind the BearClaw Gang table.
Tavern Drinker 1: (Rolls his eyes) Got anotha one of yer crackhead stories to amuse us with? Whatever happened to the monster made of noodles?
Unkempt Man: (Wipes beer foam off of his face) Not this time. This is different, I'm cold sober.
Tavern Drinker 2: First one of the day then?
Unkempt Man: Naturally. I intend to keep it that way for now. What I'm 'boutta spill to you gentlemen will be a hunch that could change the tides of time.
Tavern Drinker 3: Well out wit' in then.
Unkempt Man: Alrighty, then. Our good ol' country Instivale is too perfect.
Tavern Drinker 1: Go on.
Unkempt Man: Too perfect to be a result of motha nature. I believe it to be man made.
All three tavern drunks begin to giggle.
Tavern Drinker 2: Dear heavens, he's off his rocker.
Unkempt Man: Don't ya think it's a wee bit strange how this country is perfectly sectioned off based on the royal houses, and not to mention-
A sudden burst of the wooden double doors silences the unkempt man. The Silver Expeditioners exchange looks with the local drunks.
Tavern Drinker 1: What the?
Tavern Drinker 3: (Shouts) No need to barge in, happy hour ain't over yet.
Silva: (Shouts) Anyone know about missing fire patches?
Tavern Drinker 2: What?
Tavern Drinker 3: (Nudges the unkempt man) Here I thought you were the only nut here!
Tavern Drinker 1: What are ya on about, boy?
Bear quickly signals to his lackeys. They anxiously put the patches back in a sack, but not quick enough. Isra quickly scans the area. In the blink of an eye, he reaches for the sack but Coyote's animal instincts kick in (anticipating Isra's movement).
Bear: Hands off our shit.
Isra: "Your shit" looks awfully familiar.
Coyote: Ya tryna pick a fight with us?
The Silver Expeditioners come face to face with the gang. Silva gets in Coyote's face. Salv and Boar exchange glares. Oro sniffs at Coyote's leg. Duck stands up and picks up a switchblade from her back pocket.
Duck: Hey, that's a nice mutt ya got. His head'd look great on the wall of our lodge.
Oro hides behind Silva. Silva comforts him for a split second.
Silva: Are there fire patches in that sack of yours?
Bear sits up. He moves in front of Coyote, towering over Silva.
Bear: So what if there are? Who's askin'!?
Alisah: Silva, wait a second-
Silva: The owner of them.
Bear: I'm only gonna say this once kid, piss off and I'll forget about this little chat of ours.
Silva: Like I'd ever do that. Give me my shit back.
Bear inches closer to Silva.
Bear: (Frowns) Ya don't know who yer messin' with.
The two opposing sides start to bicker. Don, the bar owner, pops back up from his office to the bar.
Moose: (Signals toward Don) Sir.
Bear looks toward Don, he growls.
Bear: Yeah, I know… Look punk, if ya itchin' for a fight-
Silva: Only if ya don't give back my inherited items.
Bear: Yer death wish. Let's take this outside.
The Silver Expeditioners and BearClaw Gang go outside of the tavern. Salv and Boar are already about to rip each other apart. The rest of them are lined up against each other: Moose and Coyote vs. Isra and Oro, Duck vs. Alisah, and Bear vs. Silva.
Salv: I'm going to teach this brute some manners.
Duck: (Points to Alisah) Boss, do I got permission to have fun with "Miss Perfect"?
Bear: Fine, don't make a mess.
The battle of the hunters and their prey begins…