Swamped

"Well, we had a rat infestation a while back," you say calmly. No need to mention how big they were.

"Well! Ain't that thrilling, Sneer? A rat infestation. I know it's just the sort of exciting news I was hoping to hear about."

The other one - Sneer, you suppose - seems a little annoyed.

"Don't go mockin' 'em, Bellow. Rats were a big problem back on the farm. Why, one time they got out in the fields and ruined our wheat harvest. Set us back the whole season. In fact, I hear the fortress had lots of rat problems before Crosswinds came along."

"Now hang on, Sneer! Weren't we just talkin' about not trustin' tall tales? That old story about greblings eating rats is just a filthy lie, they ain't got the teeth for it."

"I didn't say that was it! It's just that Crosswinds is small. Can squeeze into nooks and crannies you and I wouldn't have a hope of fitting into. Which means they can find rat's nests in places humans have trouble with. Sure makes sense to me."

"Wait, you really do have a grebling in your forces?" you ask, surprised. "I've heard the rumors, of course, but I'd never seen them myself. And it's hard to imagine a grebling coming all the way out to this swamp."

The prisoners look at each other. They seem to be thinking about how much to tell you.

"Well, you know how it is in the Marshguards," Bellow says with a shrug. "For the most part, you come here because you've got nowhere else to go."

"I can't believe there's only one grebling like that, though," Sneer says, sounding thoughtful. "Maybe they've got their own place for exiles."

"So why isn't Crosswinds there, instead?"

Sneer shrugs.

"Maybe they aren't welcome. Don't know, and it's not really my business."

You suddenly hear footsteps approaching. Erin must be guiding the patrol here.

Are you just going to wait for them, or is there something you should do first?