Through the Hornwood

Merriweather
The bartender continues wiping a mug as the crowd around him hollers for more ale. Moving up, you slide your coin across, asking about the latest happenings. He ignores you at first, giving you a quizzical eye, filling a few tankards and sliding them across to the haggard server girls.

Finally, he comes back, another mug of ale in hand. He slides it over to you, then grabs your coin. Pocketing it, "News? In the Oyt? Hah! Must be new, you must. Bout the only thing that happens is the mine findin' a rich vein that needs transport through town goin' to Loftwick. Or some raidin' party of orcs come down outta the peaks before the king gets 'is troops on 'em; or maybe the stray giant or two. If yer lookin' for adventure, best bet is to try elsewhere." he says as he steps away to fill another mug of ale.

The bartender stops for a second and looks you over. "I 'spose ain't no one person in charge really." he replies, emphasizing the words in-charge.

"Town has a council of sorts, what to run the daily things like town business and all. A few o' the more well off folk tend to it, whilst the rest of us just meander along mindin' our own business."

The bartender shrugs. "Dunno. I 'magine there's always work to be had. Just not for me." he replies.

"You plannin' on drinkin or talkin'? Cuz I got folks wantin' to be drinkin'." he adds, looking a bit more stand-offish that he had been.

The MC continues his call for contestants, and finally manages to get a small group of people up onto the entertainment floor. The first two opponents are given small sacks of grain, and told to stand at opposite ends of the log.

"Place your bets with Ingrid there!" the MC calls out, pointing to a red haired woman at the end of the floor, closest to the bar.

"First round contestants are Thadius, there!" he points to the first man. Thadius looks to be in his thirties, with greasy hair and a stubble of growth coming from his wide chin. One of his ears looks like cauliflower, as it is all mangled and deformed. The man smiles, showing that his two front teeth are missing.

"And over here, we have Caleb!" the MC continues, pointing to a thin, rail of a man. Caleb stands a full foot taller than his opponent, but is perhaps half as heavy. He is pale to the point of being bluish, his eyes are a pale blue as well, while his hair is a pale, pale blonde color. He smiles, and fortunately has all of his teeth present.

"First to fall off the log is the loser! Winner advances to round two! Get your bets in before we start! Sixty seconds!" the MC adds. People near the center begin to loudly count down, as a few scramble to place their bets.

The crowd continues to slowly count down, with the last five seconds including the stomping of feet. As they reach zero, the MC calls for the battle to begin. The two men wobble unsteadily on the log as they move toward one another, trying their best to stay on the log while beginning to swing the bags of grain.

Thadius is the first to lash out, swinging low for Caleb's legs, while Caleb goes high with an overhead swing. Caleb does his best to avoid the blow by jumping, but misjudges and gets caught on the lower leg. However, he keeps his balance and slams down onto Thadius' head, a loud 'Ooof' accompanying the blow.

Both men land, seemingly keeping their balance, when suddenly the log shifts, sending both men stumbling. They both fall backward off of the log, but the heavier Thadius his first. The MC cries out "Winner!" as his hand points toward Caleb, at which point the crowd goes crazy.

In the aftermath, Caedwyn receives his coin back twofold, having bet on the correct man to win the contest.