Swamped

"I want to know what's up with your little crew here."

He gives you a look like he doesn't know what you're talking about.

"Your group. Most of you haven't been in the Bogknights more than a year, you included. So why'd you decide to team up?"

"It was Dean's idea," Jackson mutters.

"Then why did he pick all of you? I know you bring the rope talents, but what about the rest? Especially Marshall, who's been here barely a week and already lost an arm. Why pick a bunch of newmucks?"

"We weren't planning to go in this deep. Dean was planning to get in by himself. He figured if we were caught, new knights would be punished more lightly."

"But you must have had some skills that made him pick you out."

"I've got my rope skills, plus I know the layout of the swamp better than most newcomers. Walter was there for his patrol expertise. Tom Tenth brought his shield, which we figured might be useful for rougher waters." He glances at the shield in your hand. "Guess it caught your eye, too."

"I'm sure you Bogknights won't have much trouble finding him a new one," you say. "So what of the others? We have Mary Baker and Marshall in custody, and I know you had another teammate who slipped away. Why'd Dean want them to come along, and was there anyone else?"

Jackson gets quiet.

"All right, one question at a time, then. Who's the girl who got away?"

"Her name slips my mind," Jackson said. "Good swimmer, that's about all I remember."

"And what about Mary Baker?"

"She's good at throwing and catching. Guess Dean might have had some plans there."

"Good, good. Now. What about Marshall? Why was the newest member of the Bogknights, who's only got one arm, brought along on this mission?"

Jackson doesn't seem to want to say anything.

"I don't know," he finally concludes. "It was Dean's idea. Why don't you ask him?"

"And were there any others in your group?"

"Don't see how that's your business."

"Well, if they were lost in the swamp, I'd think you'd want us to help find them. It's much safer in here than it is out there. Why, who knows what sort of trouble your swimmer friend might be in already."

"I think she can handle herself."

Well, this seems to be a dead end. You're not really getting a sense of who to ask about the library, either. Maybe you can use this as an excuse to question Dean, though. You'll need to find an officer you can get permission from...

It suddenly strikes you that Jackson's tied up with rope.

And chances are, nobody in the Marshguards knows their way around a rope like he does.

The thought comes to you just in mind to get your shield ready to block as Jackson's ropes fall to the ground and he rushes at you.

Now what?