The men just sort of stared, unsure if they should keep their eyes on the green-eyed cat with the very large teeth, the young speaker, or the phantom behind her, which loomed tall and slim over all of them. James kept muttering softly and shaking his head; Ridahne couldn't make out his mutterings directly but she knew too well the look and sound of heart wrenching regret. He was softly cursing himself, thinking that for sure he and Dax had just gotten themselves killed. Dax remained perfectly still, though his breathing was a little uneven as he recovered from the kick in the gut. Neither felt composed enough to speak as fear settled in their hearts.

After a span when neither answered, Ridahne gave her knife a swing so artful it could have been part of a dance. The sharp blade whistled through the night air as its edges reflected the moonlight once more. Her eyes glinted hard and cold from beneath her hood. "The lad asked you a question." Her voice was low and soft in volume, but it was made all the colder for it. In her was not a blind and wild rage but a calculated wrath that would not be challenged. "We aren't the sort to ask twice, [I]James.[/I]"
The use of his name startled him horribly and gave him the uncomfortable sensation that he had been watched for longer than he had thought, so the first thing out of his mouth was, "Sorry! Uh, sorry. Um, we're uh, uh, well we're horse uh..." 
"Horse thieves," Dax added softly. Neither seemed proud of admitting this, though whether it was because they felt remorse about the whole business or if they were only sorry because they were caught, Ridahne didn't know. 
"You're horrible horse thieves if you think you can just approach an Azurei [I]Ismari[/i] and think he'll let himself be led away by two fools. He was not bred for his obedience." 

James let go the breath he was holding. The Ismari breed of horses were prized for their agility and speed and on this side of the mountains they were worth a fortune to the right buyer. Too lofty a target for him, he realized. He should have known better.