Swamped

This would be easier if you were dealing with Marshguards, especially your own squad. You could put in references to your own knocking code - sure, it's not meant to be written, but you could at least make clear you know the code and that'd be good enough for them.

But you don't have anything similar for these two. They're not even supposed to know you have a knocking code. And similarly, you've got no idea what sort of codes they'd use.

Hmm. When you get down to it, a code is just a special kind of language. And you think you remember some conversation about Marshall learning to read in a weird way... something about reading Kroskan as Common?

There's a thought. Sprinkle in some Kroskan words. Except, your own name is in Kroskan, so that's not going to be very good for identifying you.

Wait... Marshall's first instinct will be to translate anyways. That's it! You conclude the note with six words that translate to Common words whose first letters spell "CORVUS". Long might not catch it, but Marshall probably will. You tear off the note, and hand the pad and pencil back to the kid.

"Go to the cell and give this note to the people inside," you explain. "Come back after they give you something."

The kid, nervous as ever, takes the note and runs off.

Leaving you alone with Ash until he gets back. So now what do you do?