And a stablemaster would, of course, be even more competent with animals than a stablehand, right? Leaving aside his immediate reaction, anyway, that's a measure of plausible deniability.

What in the name of all the gods and saints is Dain supposed to do now.

"Yes," he answers, seizing on the subject change gratefully. "Newish. Very new. I don't think we've met, I'm Johannes Dain." And then, in case names might be a step too far in this situation, he offers an alternative: "Did -- did you say cats?"