"I did not mean accuse any of you. I do see you are not undead, that much is certain. Just a touch of worry given how the rumors have spread. When some place gets a reputation of having trouble there for the time being, people tend to get a bit jumpy." Valen shrugged, dusting his pants as he stood up seriously then. Looking at the three he keps his eyes somewhat narrowed. He felt the sadness in the air and found it a bit troubling.<br/><br/>The way they acted made him wary too. Yet he wasn't someone that considered himself exactly cowardly. Wary, and someone that prefered to know what he was getting into, yes. A plain coward, no. He felt he had overcome that when he chased after his friend into the ambush at the noble's mansion before. Yet he did know fear was part of a survival mechanism both in man and elf, and many others. It was natural, and not always wrong either.<br/><br/>"Lesser man might joke about something like that offer though. I'll trust in you on that regard." He smiled slightly and shrugged. The situation was a bit peculiar, but he was getting serious again. "I'd like to know what you were upto, but I figure its none of my business, hmm?" He made it sound like he was curious but not intent on prying. Considering his options, he finally nodded to the blonde woman.<br/><br/>"I could have some warm water at least. No need to waste good tea on a nosy traveler." Valen smirked jokingly, but he was already running scenarios in his head. They might be witches, and witches brew could be dangerous. They could also be women that commanded a little magic, but did not have any harm in mind. He might be just reacting poorly after having been attacked. And he did admit he might use some non-lethal spell on someone interrupting him in the middle of some delicate work too.