"Why should I tell you?" Julian lifted his chin, his tone still holding a bit of stubbornness.
He didn't like this style of interrogation like a criminal; moreover, he wasn't stupid - there had to be a benefit for him to dole out a few sentences to them.
"If you declare honestly, depending on the situation, we might let you go and provide you with some food for the road. If not... you understand, this forest buries a person's corpse very easily."
Rowan was probing to see if his words were true, while simultaneously extending an olive branch. If Julian really wasn't a spy for the tribe intentionally seeking this place out, he would release him.
Regarding human nature, he didn't want to gamble. He had chosen to live with Owen - a wandering beastman - so he had to be vigilant against all malice from the outside world toward the Silver-Winged Snake tribe.
