[his icy eyes darken; he's definitely had that same thought]

It will take someone made of stronger stuff to make an attempt to see just how lethal the miasma is. I don't wish to badmouth my scouts, but they aren't as hardy as my missing officers. [half to himself] What I wouldn't give for Zhang Liao right about now...

But before I come to that conclusion, your theory bears merit. It isn't that we trade with one another, but that we are each other's allies against Orochi's army. I can easily believe that they would use sorcery and other means to cut us off from one another in order to move against us and conquer. [he gives Lavellan a dead-serious look. This fellow understands plenty, he can be given the honest truth] This is why I have so many scouts deployed. I don't care how quiet the roads are in the clear areas, I anticipate an attack.