He understands contract and what it means to her. In theory, at the very least. As he continues talking, Tayrey's all too willing to believe it's more than only that. That she can trust him.

'That djinn was no captain at all,' she says, because she has to. 'He was a coward, it's true. But every person on that ship remains responsible for their own actions. For the way they treated others.' One's character is tested in adversity, and if Tayrey's hadn't held up all the way, if she'd been too weak and emotional, at least she hadn't ever lost sight of herself and her values.

Then Erik reveals the means to stop him. She nods, very solemn. There was a time when Nobunaga had advised her that the eyes were a good point to attack, and Tayrey had reacted with the squeamishness of a Tradeliner for whom combat involved nothing more close and personal than squeezing a trigger. How long ago that seems! Now she knows she could put out his eyes with her bare hands if she had to, no hesitation, not when the alternative was being attacked.

'Thank you,' she tells him, earnest and genuine. 'I will keep it very much to myself, and I will not act on it unless you are a direct threat to me or to someone under my protection. And I do still want to do business with you. I do. You've proven that I can trust you. That you understand, and you truly don't want me to come to harm.'