Janis looks around expectantly and then glances back at Loki.

JANIS

This would be a good place for an ambush.

LOKI

That's one reason that I told them we didn't need a guide. That and we'll probably end up sleeping here at least one night and I didn't want... anyone welcomed.

ORBSEN

Why am I getting the feeling that a welcome here isn't the same as one in Mag Mell?

LOKI

chuckles dryly and shakes his head.

ORBSEN

I can feel vibrations from at least one sould crystal. Probably a few miles yet, though. Loki's right; we'll have to spend the night.

AKELYN

Is that going to be safe? Those jouten, can they be trusted?

LOKI

It would dishonor them greatly if they allowed us entry and then harmed us, ma'am. If we'd allowed one to accompany us it would have been different. He would have felt obliged to welcome one or more of us. That... wouldn't have been pleasant. There welcomes are similar to etin but jouten are quite a bit bigger.

JANIS

Getting back to the possibility of an ambush, how is that less likely without a local along? It's been my experience that people won't attack if there's a chance that they'll hurt a comrade.

LOKI

You have to think like a jouten, sir. They're very tribal and territorial. If we'd had one of them with us and passed too close to another tribe's lands...

KASSEL

The tribe that owned that territory would have attacked us. They won't bother us, even though we're strangers.

LOKI

We're strangers, but we're not jouten. They won't see us as a threat to their land claims.

AKELYN

Just so long as they don't try and welcome us.

LOKI

Only if we actually cross into their territory.