The deferential treatment doesn't even register with Aleron, at least not in the sense of making him feel important (or safer). His mother would argue that it should, and he should remember his station, but as far as he's concerned that went out the window with the bathwater when he was nine years old. The Seekers are his family now. And he's spent too many years being the heavy coming in to investigate problems to do much beyond to note the plain facts that she's being deferential for some reason and seems almost nervous.

He crosses his arms over his chest and watches without reaction as she scrambles up the tree. It's not a bad idea, though not something he can pull off in the armor. Aleron shakes his head slightly. "I doubt I can take that route, madam."

Of course, now that she's up there and he's still on the ground, the elf could well take off, or snatch the skull and then run. He's got no purpose to care if she stays or goes, beyond wondering why she's there in the first place, and concern she's going to steal the item before he can investigate it.

"Do you know what that is? What it does?"