In an odd way, that actually helps, in that it buys him a few moments to work past the shock and recover his somewhat scrambled wits.

"A mudcrab, yes. When combined, they form the base for a potion that can cure any disease." Though you'd never think it to look at them... but her earlier words register then, and he takes the opportunity to ask a question of his own.

"Have you been here a terribly long time, then?"