His brows drew together, and his eyes widened a little as he considered her more seriously, lowering the pipe.

"Maker's breath. I heard--" Demons, dead, dark things, so much magic, and the world's been falling apart ever since... His mouth had gone too dry, and the tavern felt suddenly far too dark. But he sucked in a breath, and looked down at his own hands.

"I'm.. very sorry. I know it's... coming from a stranger, all but insignificant. And I think that's... that staying, like you are, for the reasons you are... it's very noble."