Jason’s hard expression broke into a chuckle.

“Well, if nothing else,” Jason said, “it can’t be worse than what I’m calling you in my head. What’s your name?”

“Tuckell,” the adventurer said warily. “Dean Tuckell.”

Jason gave him a sympathetic smile, his body language shifting from harsh confrontation to loose and relaxed. Jason casually strolled up to the porch, where the man had been napping on a long, swinging chair. The man tensed at Jason’s approach, giving a startled jerk as Jason casually plonked himself down next to the man on the long chair.

“Nice to meet you, Dean. I’m Jason, but you knew that.”

Jason looked out from the porch. This back building didn’t look out over the lumber mill, but instead at the crops grown to feed the workers.

“This isn’t bad,” Jason said, taking it all in. “If I recall correctly, Dean, you were the one that tried to talk Dink out of attacking me. Is Dink his real name?”

“That’s his nickname,” Dean said hesitantly, wary of the man sitting next to him. “His real name is Jared.”

“I’d definitely take that over Dink,” Jason said. “Was he the one who picked Dink?”

“Yeah.”

“Clearly, some people are beyond help. Alright, Dean; this is quite a pickle you’ve got yourself in. The way I see it, things are going to go one of four ways from here. I’m just going to come out and tell you that I know what you’re doing, who you’re doing it for and why.”

“Don’t listen to him,” Clementson said, from where he was still standing, in front of the porch. “He’s just trying to get information out of you.”

Jason turned his gaze unhappily to Clementson.

“That’s quite enough out of you, Mr Clementson,” Jason said. “If you’re going to be a nuisance, then you may as well run along after all.”

The mill owner required no further encouragement, scuttling away as quick as he could.

“Now,” Jason said, “where were we? Right, I was just explaining that I already know everything.”

“Do you, though? It sounds like Mr Clementson is right and you just want me to talk.”

“Oh, I certainly do, but want isn't the same as need. This is more about tying things up neatly than me requiring anything from you. Dean, let's go through the four ways I see this situation potentially playing out. In scenario one—which is my personal favourite and I hope will be yours as well—you tell me everything. That gives me what I need to make sure this all gets handled quietly and without too much of a fuss. Are you a member of the Adventure Society, Dean?”

Dean nodded.