Swamped

You don't think you know enough yet. You don't know the core reason for this distrust, even though many of the Protectors used to work at the camp.

So your best move is to get this guy to keep talking. Which he doesn't seem to like doing in general.

But maybe if he thinks you're too slow to get it without an explanation...

"What, you couldn't use a little more food, even? Are you well-stocked?"

The Protector seems irritated.

"I already said we will not accept anything from them."

"You know, they've got a bunch of sandrunners. Maybe they could catch some more for you. Or teach you how."

"We are not interested..."

"Or heck! They're researching all sorts of things. I bet they've got something you'd find interesting, like metalworking techniques, or advance warning on tunneler attacks, maybe reports on nesting habits of the local birds..."

You remember hearing he likes birds. Maybe raising the subject will get some kind of reaction.

"Let me be fully clear, human. There is an unresolved matter of heresy involving this camp, and we can make no agreements with them unless they are cleared of suspicion."

Finally! Was it so hard to explain that?

"You mean what Jeremy was talking about earlier?"

"I can say no more about it. Please stop wasting my time with useless suggestions."

Yvonne doesn't look happy.

"I don't like the idea of being accused of something without even being told what it is, you know."

"The Church is in charge of the actual investigation. We are merely here in a support role."

Then why were two Protectors looking for something on the campgrounds, you wonder. This whole situation just gets stranger the more you know about it.

Still, you've made progress. The question is, where do you try to take this conversation next.