They found what they were looking for under a huge banyan tree.
It was a communal eating place—a large open space where many beastmen where chomping onto whatever they brought for their meals and laughing and talking.
An elderly rabbit-kin server brought them stew and some fresh fruits, his long ears twitching with curiosity and cautiousness at the two apex predators and their unusual mate.
"Heading into bear territory?" He asked, noting their packs and the direction they'd been shopping.
"Thinking about it," Leo said casually.
"What's the news from the mountains?"
"Oh, they're grumpy," he said, one ear flinching at Leo's unintended growl.
"Just came out of hibernation two weeks ago, and apparently it was a rough winter. Food stores ran low, couple of the cubs got sick—they're all recovered now, praise the First Beasts—but Chief Granite is in a mood."
[Chief Granite! That's the bear leader. Filing this away!]
"Granite?" Alex asked.
