[Theying]

Theying empathized with her comments about ship food. He rarely ate it if he could avoid it, preferring the generally fresher fare of shore establishments or even using herbal substitutes for food over ship travel that only lasted a couple brightenings. It was also normally cheaper like that, too. That really went a long way.

He was about to respond when she reacted in a manner that he honestly didn't expect. Fear wasn't the sort of reaction that the relatively short herbalist expected out of strangers. He was hardly an imposing figure, and it often took poisoning a couple of bandits before people in a new area figured out that Theying wasn't an easy mugging target. The skilled tradesman was shocked to discover his dagger still in his had, he thought he had returned it to the specially made sheath in his jacket prior to arriving.

He flushed in embarrassment at the rather boneheaded mistake. He turned the dagger around so that he was holding the blade and proffered the handle to her. "I must apologize Madame," Theying said earnestly. "It appears that I have given offense by neglecting to put this dangerous toy of mine away. If it would make you feel better you can hold it until you trust me. I was going to offer to provide something to help settle your stomach, but it appears that I have bungled that opportunity quite throughly."