"Maybe we shouldn't..." Straw started, but too late. Khoran was already heading around the bend just ahead. 

--

The men turned at the sound of the approaching horse, except for the bowman who still kept his weapon carefully trained on the woman. 

The man holding the bloodied rag to his wound gave both horse and rider an appraising look, quickly noting the rider's fine clothes and the high quality animal. "Not that it's any of your business," the highwayman said, thinking quickly and weaving a plausible story. "But these two are dangerous wanted criminals," he gestured to the woman and then to the one lying motionless. "Pity we had to kill that one. The Lord Esmond pays more if they're alive."