Alex rubs the back of his neck, grunts softly.<br/><br/>"I ain't rightly sure of all the particulars, but the Ancient Compact basically means that this is serious business, so y'all are supposed ta be safe from interference from each other comin' too an' from this meet.  Also, anything tries to block yer path is in violation, which means open season on them.  There's a lot more, but that's about all of it I know.  Old man takes this kinda serious, so I reckon there was a time some folks pushed the envelope a bit."<br/><br/>He shakes his head at some thought or other, his face twisting in wry amusement.<br/><br/>"Oh, an' if someone else in the Compact calls for help?  Yer s'pposed ta help if ya can.  Defensive alliance sorta thing.  Callin' folks in when you don't really need it is, uhm, kinda bad form.  Like this.  He wouldn't invoke it if it weren't a big deal.  There's  penalties for cryin' wolf."