You manage to easily dodge around the children but Veras, much less nimble, slows down to step around them.
Round 2
As you celebrate your victory, it comes to your attention that there is a very large wall approaching at very high speeds, directly in front of you.
Both you and Veras manage to easily avoid the inanimate object, and keep running.
Round 3
A crowd blocks the way ahead, a group of several dozen adults focused on a game of some sort.
You are in the lead, sending several people tumbling as you race through the crowd. Valiran yells "Out of the way!" But in the wake of your chaos, nobody listens, and the two fall behind even more.
Round 4
A group of slaves stands at the edge of the mud field, carrying construction material across their backs. There are too many of them to get by easily, but you can try!
You easily break through them. Although Veras manages it as well, he is too far behind to catch up. You make it through the mud field, and wait for them on the other side. Valiran arrives, and dismounts, marching up to you with all the formality of a dictator, and places a silver coin in your hand.
"Thanks for playing with us!" She says. "We have to try again sometime."
"That was fun. If you don't mind, I'd like to go meet more of the villagers. He graciously accepts the coin and waves at Valiran, before returning to the village.
Everything is the same at the village, except that Carthun and Pixis are back, accompanied by 3 teenage girls. The five of them are chatting while rolling dice.
Braydn walks over to the tired man and nods in greeting.
"Afternoon sir. You're looking quite tired today. Work a lot in the sun?"
He gives you a look of surprise. It seems he doesn't get asked that question much. He invites you He waves at you to sit beside him. "Name's Pile." He says. "Working, of a sort." He waves around himself. "This is the windiest part of the desert. More sandstorms than anywhere else in Inkal. You know why we're alright?" Pile asks. A small child comes up to him, holding out a bit of bread and water. He accepts it gratefully. "Me. I keep the sands back. I deal with the Dust-runners who try to come through here. I'm the only reason this place isn't a desert right now."
Bradyn looks impressed.
"That's quite a job. Protecting the entire village and the fields from sandstorms can't be easy." He smiles down at the child. "I can't imagine how taxing that must be. How long have you been protecting this place?"
"Since I was quite young. You should have seen me when I was your age!" He laughs. "I could do this all day, and still do the job of a dozen warriors at night! And now?" He spreads his hands helplessly. "Well, now I'm like a glorified wall. I keep the bad stuff out, and keep this place our own little paradise."
Braydn nods and laughs.
"I suppose we can't be in our prime forever. Still, it's quite impressive what you do."
"Thank you." He says.
The light is dimming, and people are gathering in the center of the town, for what seems to be a feast.
"Festival of Zarah." Pile explains. "City folk don't take her as seriously as they should, but we make sure to pay her homage at least once a month. It's good that you're here." He says. "A good omen. Will you come to the feast?" He asks.
Brayden nods enthusiastically.
"Always smart to respect traditions. You never know what might happen if you don't."
Pile leads you to the festival. Tuhati is sitting at the head of a table, looking very pleased with himself. He stands, and makes a toast.
"To new friends!" He roars, pointing at you. The crowd cheers, their drinks banging. "To new opportunities, fallen from the sky! And, as always, to Pile!"
The whole crowd roars. They scuff the dirt around their feet, a gentle gesture, apologizing to Zarah for their tromping and running around for the past month. Everyone begins drinking, and laughing, and smoking Ko-resin.
Braydn joins in with the feasting, while keeping an eye out for anything interesting. He searches for more people to converse with, while making light conversation as he walks around.
Pixis, Cathun, and the three girls are playing the same game as before. While a large man and an old lady both wander around drunkenly, loudly proclaiming their combat prowess to anyone who wanders near, and making threatening motions towards everyone who isn't a child. You can see large calluses on the old lady's hands, and the man is carrying a club.
Braydn walks over to the kids and watches the game for a moment.
"What's this game you're playing?"
"Vault and Robber." The smallest girl says. She explains the game, apparently having heard of you from Cathun or Pixis.
"Want to play? You can be the robber first." She says, holding the dice out in your direction.
"I ain't playin' against a foreigner." One of the other girls says. "Don't trust he ain't a mage." She sits back, and Pixis goes with her. Leaving two of the girls and Cathun in the game.
Braydn smiles.
"Sounds fun. What are the stakes?" He sits down with the children.
"Well, we're not made of money. How does 5 iron bits sounds?"
"Perfect. I can't say I'm made of money right now either."
He pulls out his coin purse and rolls the dice.
Small Girl: 6 copper.
Cathun: 9 copper
Large Girl (Vault): 7 copper.
Stake: 5 iron
"Damn." The large girl says, staring down at the dice. She grins ruefully, passing out money. "I should've quit."
Small Girl: 6 copper 10 iron
Cathun: 9 copper 10 iron
Large Girl (Vault): 4 copper.
Stake: 5 iron
Braydn smiles at the children.
"I'm surprised. Usually my luck with dice isn't so great."
He rolls again.
The Vault passes to the small girl, and the game continues! You lose, and it's time for people to pay the piper!
Small Girl: 6 copper 25 iron
Cathun: 9 copper 5 iron
Large Girl (Vault): 3 copper 5 iron.
Stake: 5 iron
Bradyn rolls again.
The vault passes to Cathun. "I suppose it was just beginners luck then, eh, Braydn?"
Small Girl: 6 copper 20 iron
Cathun: 9 copper 20 iron
Large Girl: 3 copper.
Stake: 5 iron
Braydn grins.
"I told you my luck with dice isn't great."
He rolls once again.
"I think you just have it in for me." The large girl complains as she hands out her remaining money. "You managed to clean me out." She stands, stretching.
Braydn (robber 2 loss): 2 silver 5 copper, 10 iron.
Small Girl: 6 copper 30 iron
Cathun: 9 copper 30 iron
Large Girl: -
Stake: 5 iron
"Well, I'm happy." The small girl says. "Me and Cathun gained three copper each. Not a bad haul." She claps you on the back. "Good job. What's your name again?"
"Braydn. I've been tasked with keeping the village safe from harm. Pleased to meet you." He smiles at the small girl. "And your name is...?"
"Ferro." the girl grins, shaking your hand. "I'm Pile's acolyte-in-training. Nice to meet you."
Braydn returns the hand shake graciously.
"Wow, that's going to be a big responsibility. But it looks like you're up to the challenge Ferro. Perhaps we'll play the Vault and the Robber again sometime."
He nods at the children, before wandering off in search of more conversation.
The only thing of interest now seems to be the old lady and large man, who are still walking around yelling. Most people are eating, or drunk, or both.
Braydn approaches the old lady in good spirits.
"Having a good night ma'am?"
"Sonny boy," the old lady cackles, throwing her arms n the air, "any day where I get to drink and make merry is a good day! You should've seen me in me youth! I was called 'Alister the Arm-breaker!' Renown from here to that fancy pish-posh country up north!"
"Alister the Arm-breaker? That's quite a name. Have you been around this village a long while?"
Braydn's smile remains, as always.
"My whole life. I used to have your job, you know. Protectin' the village. Was born and raised here." She takes another swig of her drink. "I could outfight anyone, and drink any warrior under the table! Still can!"
"Still can? I don't suppose you'd like to make a small wager then? Warrior against warrior?" His smile widens.
"Sure, why the f%&+ not?" Alister says, her smile going wide. "Drink first, or fight?"
"Drink first! A fight's always more interesting with drink in the veins!" Braydn grins joyously.
The old lady recruits some helpers to gather a table, and some drinks. She flips a coin. "Heads I go first, tails you go first." The coin lands tails, and you are handed a drink.
Braydn downs the drink.
Braydn still seeming in control of his functions, the old lady drinks. She still stands, and it's Braydn's turn again.
Braydn grins and drinks again.
The old lady still seems in total control of her functions, and she matches your grin with her own.
Braydn downs what is hopefully not his last drink of the night.
The old lady laughs as Braydn falls out of his chair, taking another swig. She still seems fine, but sways as she stands.
"Ya ready -hic- to fight?" She picks up a large staff from the side of the building, holding it out in front of her. "I sure's am. To first blood."