The hesitant smile vanished, and the knight's brows drew together. This was most confusing. The elf had taken offense, as if he had not been joking; maybe he was simply drawing out the jest? But there was venom in that stare, and Ordhan would much rather be fooled by a joke than further tread on the man's patience.
"I'm sorry," he said hastily. "It is from ignorance. I meant no offense." Even as he spoke, he noticed the way the creature nuzzled the dwarf girl's hand. It was, admittedly, similar to the manner of a hound begging for treats or greeting its master.
Wonderful. One of the rare times he catches a joke, it turns out to be true, and he manages to offend a complete stranger.