Marcus is already wound tense and so to say there is some change in status there when Bastien moves in close would be incorrect. He does, however, reach back to grip his staff, watching this exchange with the icy appraisal of someone who is not as confident as Bastien is that Richard does not want to hurt anyone.

Not particularly afraid for the possibility, but unwilling not to be ready to act in the event that it manifests.

Orlesian muttering is frowned at. No comprehension, from him. The look that angles his way is met with an expectation of, perhaps, more than a hint of a smile, mute for a moment before speaking again. "Only two of us need double back with him," he says, speaking past Richard now to look from Bastien to Derrica, "and the other go on ahead to spare their horse some harder riding before we catch back up.

"Or we take him with us," lands more coldly somewhere at the centre of Richard's shoulderblades. "Have him retrace his steps."

The option that they all go back together feels like slipping backwards, even with a snake caught in their fangs, but the option is plainly there.