Swamped

"We keep meeting places and signals secret for a reason," you say. "Can't talk about those freely. We even have to be careful what we share with other members... wait, hang on. Are you looking for a way in? Bounties not paying off regularly enough?"

"Or maybe I think your story sounds fishy," they snap back.

"Yeah? Well, what's the alternative? What's a real Marshguard going to be doing all the way out here, so far from the swamp?"

"Been thinking about that. Been thinking about how every so often, I hear a story about the Rider of the Swamp showing up somewhere strange. And here I see you and I'm thinking, people in bars tend to exaggerate, even before they get a few good drinks in. So maybe instead of a huge man on a swamp beast, this Rider is just a regular old Marshguard sent out on a mission, for Hool knows what reason, who happens to be sitting on an animal. Like that desert horse of yours. If it's dark enough, who'd know the difference?"

"It's not very dark right now," you say.

"Just means I caught you by surprise. Mind, I doubt I can claim the Rider's bounty even if my theory's right, but somebody's bound to have an interest in you."

They don't seem sold on your bluff. On the other hand, they can't be as confident as they sound, considering they haven't made a move against you yet. Even if they still have that crossbow pointed at you.

They also let slip a little bit about what god they worship. Too bad you know barely anything about religion, or you might be able to make use of that somehow.

So. Where do you take things from here?