Cassie considered this. One the one hand, it would do a lot of good for her peace of mind if Slade weren't so close. But, conversely, it could draw some suspicion from the Horse-Controllers if they were seen to be behaving too… human. In the end, there was only one course of action that Cassie could feel comfortable with.

(No, Slade. I think it would be better if you stayed where you are. I can deal with the stallion.)

(If… if you say so, Cassie,) Slade said, still uncertain.

They were well past the perimeter fence by now, and still no one had stepped forward to challenge them. This was just what the more experienced Animorphs had been expecting of course, but it set Slade on edge. He wasn't at all comfortable with just walking around inside an enemy stronghold like this: perfectly exposed to whatever they might do to him.

But the others, Cassie and Jake especially, seemed to be perfectly at ease in this place. So Slade forced himself to put aside any misgivings he might have had. It wasn't his place to question his leader's decisions, and there was still the fact that Cassie outranked him. Slade resolved to keep his mouth shut, and his eyes open.

When they were out of the range of any humans who might have overheard them, the group of Horse-Controllers quickly decided to drop the pretense of normality.

"Hullak fimul fallanta gehel. Callis feellos."

(Who said that?) Cassie asked.

(One of the horses said that,) Slade said, not even breaking stride. (The one on our left.)

(You sound like this is all normal to you,) Rachel said, her raised eyebrow evident in her tone.

(It's no weirder than what we just did. Or what we're doing now, for that matter,) Slade said flatly.

(I guess you'd be right about that,) Rachel conceded the point.