I’m not asking you to kindly thank them for trying to kill us. But excessive violence is redundant when it’s already over.

[Stephen’s not as good with horses, and his own is still nervous from the tussle—short-lived as it was—but he crosses closer just enough to rest his hand on her mane. With any luck, everyone will have a chance to cool off.]

What are we going to do about them? [The three incapacitated would-be thieves.] Leave them on the forest floor?