The party, in the company of Carver and Ursula, are ambushed by Hack and his cronies. A battle ensues in which several of Hack’s posse (Piglet, Bignose, Mr. Wig, Oily Mack, and Officer Greene) are slain, as well as Berniece, her Death Dog, and one of two goblin archers who had taken pot shots from atop the rocks. Carver and Davros nearly die, but pull through thanks to the quick actions of Cycek and Mishok. Ursula had apparently been charmed by the dwarf-lady Berniece, leading her to turn on the party, and delivering a pair of near-fatal blows to her beloved Carver. Davros, despite the miraculous curative powers of Mishok, remains afflicted with disease caused by the Death Dog’s bite. Hack, Skids, Shaggi, Troutman, and Skinny Mini retrieve their horses and seek to flee across the ford with the gem in-hand. One of the goblins escapes into the rocks. 

The party consider their options for finding shelter for the night as daylight fades and they prepare to attend to the fallen.