Shalan paused when Keiro cut her off, her fiery eyes glaring at him impatiently. Irritated, she listened to his reasons. Either she'd killed for the sword. Or she belonged to a cult. Evidently, to him, it was not possible that she'd been given the sword. She was about to voice this unvocalized option, but decided against it. It would do nothing but postpone his attempt at authoritative action. 
Curse the child for bringing her to this man. 

"I serve no queen of yours," she said back, her voice steady but her tone icy. "I am out of your jurisdiction, my [i]lord[/i]." Her amber eyes went up and down. "I am hardly intimidated by some aged, outcast of a soldier, who is stuck in the woods carrying for his child. Live off your earth. Be a father. But don't pretend you're a soldier, willing to toss it all aside for this pathetic little cause of yours. Now, if you'll move out of my path, I'll be on my way, and you can continue on denying my existence."