"You didn't start this," Lorne tells Tuo firmly. Those soldiers found him odd, got drunk, and decided to come harass him. Tuo would have had to not be himself to avoid their attention, and even that hasn't prevented some of the bog-standard villagers from getting pushed around.

Dain's query first has Lorne running through practicalities until it highlights yet again the difference between Dain and every Shepherd that Lorne has had a brush with or heard about. He cares, in a way that encourages Lorne's curiosity; not only about him but about Dain's concern for Tuo. What had the Shepherd even been doing out here? And Tuo… well, it's always hard to tell what Tuo's thinking.

"You're welcome," Lorne says more soberly. "I'm glad I happened to be out here." A nod to agree with Tuo's assessment; rest is definitely in order but otherwise there's not much else to be done. "We should probably get out of the cold for a bit, you especially." Lorne pauses for a moment. "Would you like company or prefer I come back later?" That nose will need another look but Lorne doesn't want to presume his and Tuo's interactions have been sufficient to warrant an invitation into his home.

He has no illusions that this incident is fully over, that punishment may yet come his way, but now he has a chance to appeal to local law for a modicum of leniency. Lorne doesn't regret his decision to help.