"Lord Galimar?" You chuckle, shaking your head slightly. "No, no, I'm not so foolish as to pick a fight with a Stormraider lord. I'm not a warrior, I'm a survivor. I know when to fight, and when to run."
The chief grunts, leaning back in his chair. "A wise decision," he mutters, stroking his beard thoughtfully.
As for the old woman, you turn to her, giving her a sincere look. "We were lucky," you say, "Melaxu, Tamur and I. We found a hidden passage out of Fort Ulgas just in time to escape the destruction. We survived, but just barely."
You choose to leave out the part about Melaxu's philosophical arts. The less they know about her, the safer she is. And right now, her safety is your highest priority.