He expected this would involve some kind of magic, everything does here, so he's not surprised to see that red glimmer. He stays still and lets the man look him over, trying to steady his nerves over the thought Ekkehardt might find something he shouldn't. Or a lack of something.

It's not until his lost rib is mentioned that he thinks something off here. And then the man changes.

His breath catches and he starts, staring as his eyes take in the sight of bone. "You're... you're dead. You really are dead. I thought you were!" He almost sounds victorious, before his brain catches up. He looks sheepish, wincing. "Ah, I'm sorry. I hope it wasn't recent?"

He hasn't had to be that particular kind of sensitive for a while. But all this means...

"...You know I'm dead too, don't you?"