"No on plans on choking themselves," Merlan says, laughing. "I'm a mage and one who is particularly picky about selecting defendable wards. They loop back into themselves and are tied to the earth. The geothermal places on this planet aren't going to wear out any time soon. The warding I've used makes this place practically invisible to most animals. So, yes, it's safe."

Her head tilts a fraction.

"Don't worry about dragons, they stick to themselves as long as no one provokes them. I'd rather avoid the creepy bog ladies, so just try not to go into the swamp armed lightly. Just be careful and take a sword or something. Most of the time, I take what I need for breakfasts or dinners, the forest provides well, and the only encounters I've had, really, were brief. I slipped away rather than provoke them."