<i>Oh!  That was a <u>girl</u> soldier!</i>Avery thought, his heart skipping a beat where the strong, small hand had kept him from sprawling about like a court jester. A faint memory of watching one juggling in an immense hall filled with fancy people ticked at his brain and then fluttered off like a butterfly.<br/><br/>"Thank you.  I could trade a coin, maybe?  I..."  He lowered his voice and leaned in slightly "I thought that a human coin would be more acceptable here, but if you would trade I have a few Dwarvish and Elvish ones too... I guess I got around a lot."  He shrugged and smiled, his eyebrows raised slightly in an innocent gesture.<br/><br/>When she mentioned his sword his hand went to the top of the scabbard as if he thought she might try to take it from him. "I prefer to talk things out instead of fighting, but at a last resort?  Yes."<br/><br/>He extended his right hand to her "I'm Avery."  His stomach answered with a long, sad growl of emptiness.  "If you really meant what you said, I'd appreciate trading a few coins for some soup.  It's been a while since I've eaten properly."