Through the Hornwood

"You are definfitely correct in that regard, Ser Hraefn," said Bram with a smile, something you had seen little of to date. "I don't wish to leave the others completely, though. Perhaps just outside on the street would suffice."

While you all begin to settle in with one another a bit, the MC calls out loudly "Next participants to your marks!"

You watch as a grizzled looking man in perhaps his forties steps up. He has a demeanor much like a soldier or one used to being in a strict group. Though he wears a loose tunic and common trousers, you can see the muscles flexing underneath as he takes his sack of grain. His opponent is a lithe woman, perhaps halfway between five and six foot, wearing a soft leather top and silk pants. She wears no shoes, but the dirt on her feet indicate that this is normal for her. She twists, turns, and flashes a smile along with waves to various people in the crowd, getting them psyched for the upcoming bout. She, too, grabs her sack of grain, stepping up to the log and half-bowing to her opponent.

"Place your bets! Sixty seconds to start!" the MC calls out once again, as the crowd cheers and once again begins her countdown.

"Here we have your contestants!" calls out the MC. "Jerza Darkeyes! Welcome back, m' lady!" he says, sweeping his arm to the girl, which brings a huge roar from the crowd. "And here we are most honored to have his lordship, Captain Thoros Chandler, your very own captain of the guard! Welcome to the arena, sir!" he says, sweeping the other way to the man at the far end. Again, the crowd erupts, in particular a gathering group of what appear to be off-duty soldiers are calling out encouragement to their leader.

As the count reaches zero, the MC calls for them to fight. Thoros shuffles quickly forward, stopping when he sees Jerza leap high and flip in the air. Unfazed, the warrior plants himself and at the instant her feet land, he shuffles again, this time sideways, making the log roll. Jerza, hitting the log and trying to sweep one of her legs in an effort to topple Thoros, finds herself without any footing. Her lone good leg flips out from under her. As she scrambles to regain her balance, Thoros follows up with a sweeping blow that catches the firl in her midsection.

A loud WOOOOOSH of air bursts from her lips as the captain of the guard sends her reeling a full five feet backward, landing solidly on her back at the edge of the arena. The crowd pauses for the briefest of moments before cheers go up for the captain.

"Winner!!" calls the MC, gesturing to Thoros, much to the delight of his fellow soldiers.

Caedwyn
You see the apparent owner, Spider Brazz, by the bar, swapping laughs and tales with some of the patrons there.

Cædwyn
Spider Brazz looks your way, smiling. "Forgive my rudeness. I was but enjoying a bit of fun with these good fellows. Sometimes my focus wanders on nights of revelry such as this. I am sure you can understand?" he says. Brazz's voice is soft and smooth, as one accustomed to speaking for long times, or one who is quick witted might do when caught in an embarrassing situation.

"I'm afraid that all that remains is the common area, though it is warm and comfortable enough. More suitable quarters for a distinguished lord such as yourself, however, would be better served at the Minstrel down the street. A bit quieter, more reserved, and usually plenty of vacancies." he adds, the smile never leaving his face as he speaks.

Hraefn
"Oy! Drinks ya say!! Why, fer shore, ser, I'll be drinkin' what er' ya be payin fer!" the man says, reaching an unsteady hand to the tankard offered.

"The Barriers, ya say? Plenty o' story about them cursed hills t' be sure, but what yer goin' for? E'vn the giants and beasties there are fleeing; or, so says' m' brother Ollister!" The man half-drinks, half-pours the ale down his beard, which acts like a sieve as the foam gets trapped and the liquid runs down his equally wet shirt front.