It took some time before Shining had to speak again, as the Mareitanians didn't seem to be in any particular rush to get there. The griffons did fly ahead to scout, so it would soon become obvious to them that the Bulwark had been abandoned. A smart pony would only assume a trap. All of them suspected that the Mareitanians had plenty of smart ponies working that out, which is why they didn't bother to set a trap there.