"Ma'am! This area is restricted to guests." He looked to Torvus for reassurance. He nodded.
"It's my fault she's out here."
Then both men offered hands to help her rise. Her face lined with creases. For a moment she stared at Torvus, hoping his head would catch fire. At that, she might have forgiven him. As it was she smiled at the sailor and took his proffered hand, shakily, and wrapped her arm in his. He was only a little taller than she.
Torvus was all business. "There could be more men. This is something more than mere business."
Urcea found this an incredibly odd thing to say. "You've been shot at before?"
"Several times. It comes with the work. Can't bring civilization to the world without angering certain interests. Ma'am... Excuse my manners. I'm Torvus Smithy-Stelton..."
"Janeu Wainbright."
He laughed, "Come now, you've nothing to fear from me. My father owns the Airelighter. We're under strict scrutiny at all times. So you know who I am. I apologize for my behavior early, I must look a right brute.
"I'm afraid I got a bit suspicious of you when I heard you spoke to a man we caught trying to get at the passenger manifests. When you spoke to the wait and then got up shortly after glancing at me, I thought I should act first."
He looked at her sharply. "So there's no Wainbright in the manifests..."
Urcea sighed and extended her hand. "Urcea Whitemoat of Highseat."
"Whitemoat... Whitemoat..." he turned the name around in his head for a while.
"My father is the governor of Highseat," she offered.
"No, no... I've heard it somewhere..."
She cringed, knowing he'd remember eventually. He studied her expression, puzzled. She signed a final time