ToME: the Tales of Maj'Eyal

So, I was wandering through the frozen wastes of Daikara. I was on my way through a mountain pass when I heard cries for help. "Please! Someone help me! I promise, I will never steal another thing again!"

OK, so I'm a sucker for repent types, second chances, and all that, so I holler "Sure! I'm almost there!"

This was before I had completely gone through the pass. As I passed through, I suddenly realized that all of my efforts must be in vain, for I was in a narrow (single square wide) canyon. The thief was a ways off, cornered in a bend. Betwixt myself and him were, in a line from me to him, a snow giant boulder thrower, a cold drake, a snow giant chieftain, and a snow giant. Cutting off his escape was a snow giant thunderer.

Now, I'm sure this fellow is not going to survive my rescue attempt (which shall happen after this posting) but is it really acceptable for there to be monsters between myself and the quest ally before I even so much as take a step into the level?

As long as (s)he's in line of sight, I'd say it's OK. (If not, then how did you manage to enter into a dialog?)