The areas of the trade paths were relatively peaceful compared to the depths of the Hinterlands. The paths had been carefully forged and maintained over epochs.
It was said they pre-dated the 6 empires but no one knew for sure. There were also beasts that none dared touch in the Hinterlands. Earth drakes were terrifying but relatively weak compared to others.
Any caravan master that heard that would be terrified but most never touched on such dangers. They took the care and caution to extremes to protect themselves and harvest healthy profits.
Also, being a caravan member decreased the odds of being chosen as a sacrifice for the Soulmancers. Death was still a common occurrence but dying to a beast was far less terrifying than having a soul extracted.
The Two Rivers was only a month away from one of those routes so it was technically with a weaker area but not even a day from them was the start of the ancient beasts areas.
