The glancing around makes him wonder if the shepherd is going to simply kill him here and now, get it over with, but somehow even when the stew is turned down Detlef is still alive and the guy hasn't run off to call in soldiers. He's really not sure what's going on, but he's still breathing. Technically.

"I'm the stablemaster," he says slowly. "Animals... I take care of them?" It's a fact, he shouldn't sound like he's asking if he does, but there it is anyway. "Mostly just horses, herd animals, and the cats." Detlef gestures at the stables. Maybe he shouldn't be saying so much about himself but it's not like there's a massive population to vanish in. If the shepherd goes to town and says the blond man near the stables had just soothed a horse with the vice, everyone's going to know who he's talking about.

"And you're... uh." The shepherd. "...Newish."