Swamped

You've got to think quickly.

Jackson's charge is more than likely a diversion. It doesn't make a lot of sense for him to drop the rope and go for brute force.

But what would he do with it... of course. He'd tie you to your shield. But you've got just the counter for that. You lodge it in a small crack between the floorboards and back away, staying low in hopes that he doesn't spot you.

And indeed, he doesn't. His rope slips around the shield, in the spot where your feet would be. That gives you a chance to grab it and pull.

There's a bit of a thud as his head hits the shield; you caught him off guard. Now's your chance. You slip back around and grab him by the wrists.

"I'll have to make a note to recommend actual shackles," you say. "But you know, there's something I'm curious about. I don't think you'll know the answer, but you might just be curious about it too."

"Don't care," Jackson says.

"All right, well, I guess I won't tell you that Marshall went to all the trouble of faking a leg injury just to get a little time alone with me when I was at your base." You smirk a little. "Oh, whoops, I guess I let that slip out."

Jackson doesn't say anything.

"Seemed pretty interested in Rider, in particular. I can't say for sure why, but you know. It seems a little odd to bring someone with so little combat experience along on a mission like this. I wonder if Marshall had some other reason for coming here?"

There's still no response.

"Something for you to think about, isn't it?"

Then Jackson bursts into laughter.

"You think I'm worried about where Marshall's loyalties lie? Sure, some might find that suspicious, but not me. I've got three cousins in the Marshguards."

Well. You weren't expecting that answer. Where do you go from here?