[I can only assume your character sheet is correct about how much money you have! You did find some in the wizard's lab, remember.]
The general readily agrees to have a drink sometime, and wishes Julian luck for the next two days of challenges.
As he and Ragni leave the stage and walk towards the others, Julian is politely mobbed by a crowd of very young dwarfs. They surround him, congratulating him on his victory and bashfully asking him if he needs any errands running. Ragni shoos them away, laughing. "Don't get in the Boss's way, beardlings!" he says, firmly but not unkindly, "he's got me to fetch and carry for him! Run along now... but make sure you watch him fight again tomorrow! He's going to win this for dwarfs everywhere!" The young dwarfs obediently withdraw and watch Julian from a distance instead.
Max insists on shaking Julian's hand. "Mr Julian, sir, that was a wonderful speech! You judged that perfectly." He listens carefully to Julian's account of his conversation with the general. "Gosh, you've made a good ally there, sir. The general is right to worry about involving the military in politics, of course. Anyone who's studied history will know what a mistake that would be. Even so, having the support of the Midden Marshals will definitely help solve this tax mystery. Um. And maybe the watch commander will look more favourably on my letter after seeing you fight today, sir. I hope so anyway!
"Hmmm, I'm certain that your sword and shield would interest the chancellor, sir," Max says, looking thoughtful, "the sword especially, since we know so much about its history. But surely you wouldn't part with them, sir? He'd want them for his collection... then again, he might be grateful just for the chance to look at them. I don't fancy the opera either, sir... my father didn't approve of opera, so we never went when I lived at home. Then, when I was in Nuln I went to one," he smiles at the memory of this small rebellion, "but I didn't enjoy it very much. Anyway, I don't suppose the chancellor would want to talk to strangers when he's just gone out to enjoy himself. Klaus would be able to charm him, of course, but I don't think the rest of us could manage it. He'd tell us to leave him alone. No, I think using his interest in antiques is more likely to succeed, sir."
The square is now being prepared for the archery tourney, which is due to start shortly. A row of targets are being placed: each is circular, with concentric rings of green (the outermost ring), blue, yellow, red, and white (the center). Each colour gives a different score, obviously greater the nearer the arrow lands to the center. Bows and arrows are provided - the rules call for normal bows rather than longbows, to allow more people to compete. There is no entry fee, but competitors are expected to make a small donation to a priestess of Shallya who is wandering around with a collection bowl.
Competitors simply have to present themselves to a scribe sitting at a desk and give their name: they are then loaned a bow and six arrows. The event lasts for three days in total. The winner of each day's shooting receives a silver medal, and the overall winner for all three days gets the golden champion's medal.
A halfling in an outrageous hat is running a book on the tourney. He's waiting to see all the competitors before offering odds.
Allavandrel the elf is competing, and is the favourite to win. He's currently chatting to his friend Dieter Schmiedehammer about the former champion's defeat.
"Um," Max says quietly, "I was thinking about entering myself! I'm not very good... but I thought it would be fun!"