Rusk lowers his crossbow only far enough to point toward the road. The young drover remains beside the wagon, while the three surrendered collectors stand beneath their marked banner.
Rusk Vale
This confession goes to the nearest village shrine or magistrate’s bench. Pike will erase the writ, ledger, and tally once word reaches him.
The Road Watcher
He is right. Pike keeps friends at the reeve’s office, and these records will not survive long in his hands.
The road watcher keeps his hands raised, but his eyes move toward the other collectors. The ledger keeper clutches the satchel, and the tally bearer shifts nearer the broken marker.
The Ledger Keeper
I should speak first. I kept the account, and I know which entries Pike ordered changed.
The Collector with the Notched Tally
You changed the entries yourself. I carried the tally and saw every farm we stopped.
Their voices rise over one another, each trying to seize the first account. Rusk keeps his crossbow angled at the mud, waiting for Dagg to decide how the testimony will proceed.
✓ Quest Accepted
Deliver the levy evidence to a magistrate
✓ Quest Accepted
Obtain sworn testimony from the collectors
“{Dagg grabs multiple ropes from the back of the wagon. Kicks one of the men in the stomach and as he is wincing in pain, ties him up with one of the ropes} Now all of you quit the arguing, you all are going to speak when spoken to and answer politley when asked a question by Rusk, Merrin, or myself. {Dagg throws the other ropes to the other two} Now I can tie you up just like your friend here, or you can do it yourself. Your choice. {Dagg picks up the ties man and puts him gently in the back of the wagon. Dagg's dog barks happily and licks the tied up man on the face} She likes to lick, dont hurt her or you may accidentally fall out of the wagon on the way to the town by my Ranch. The Mayor there ill know who we should get you three too, to tell your story.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Strength, rolled +2)
Dagg retrieves several standard ranch ropes from beneath the wagon’s rear bench. His grip stays steady under the collectors’ arguing, while concern for the nearby dog keeps his force controlled.
He kicks the ledger keeper squarely in the stomach. As the man folds with a sharp gasp, Dagg catches him, loops the rope around his wrists, and binds him securely.
Dagg Nabbitt
Quit arguing. You will speak when spoken to and answer politely when Rusk, Merrin, or I ask a question.
Dagg lifts the bound collector into the wagon and lays him among the empty sacks. He throws the remaining ropes toward the other two men, who catch them without lowering their raised hands.
Dagg Nabbitt
Tie yourselves up, or I will do it for you. Your choice.
The tally bearer and road watcher bind their own wrists and ankles under Dagg’s watch. Rusk keeps his crossbow lowered, while Merrin checks each knot and confirms all three are restrained.
Dagg Nabbitt
My dog likes to lick. Do not hurt her, or you may fall out of the wagon on the way to town by my ranch. The mayor will know who should hear your story.
+ New Item Acquired
Ranch ropes