[center][h2][i][color=6ecff6]Ethelred[/color][/i][/h2][/center]

Ethelred raised his shield, narrowly deflecting the arrow fired by the woman.  There was considerable force the arrow as evidenced by the impact he could feel through the shield and the loud clang it made when it struck.  If he had to guess, this markswoman was probably the one who shot him before with such precision, and the one calling the shots (literally) for this band of archers.  She might pose a challenge, but the other bandits were as good as dead if the knight chose to attack.

He needed to get this fight over with quickly, because something had just entered the battle in the field, something that Ethelred had not caught a glimpse of.  He had been able to hear it and feel the rumbling, though.  Whatever it was, it sounded like a formidable foe.

Curiously, the woman before him didn't look like an ordinary brigand.  She was well-dressed in fine, expensive-looking clothing, nothing like any of the other bandits that Ethelred had seen.  Her bow, in addition to being of higher quality than the other bandits' bows, looked like it was magical.

[color=6ecff6][i]Quite an unusual person to be mingling with brigands.  She certainly isn't hurting for wealth.[/i][/color]  Perhaps she was a commander, but her words were those of a subordinate, not a leader.  [color=6ecff6][i]A lieutenant, perhaps.[/i][/color]

Her words to him sounded more like a resignation to the imminent fight, rather than a serious attempt to parlay.  At the same time, however, she didn't sound pleased, and judging by what Ethelred had overhead prior, she didn't want to be here.  It might be dangerous to allow her to walk away, but if he could resolve this without violence, it'd leave more time to help the other knights with whatever he had felt and heard rumbling out into the field.

[color=6ecff6]"You'd be surprised,"[/color] Ethelred replied to the woman.  [color=6ecff6]"Contrary to my appearance, I am not cold-hearted.  Thus I offer you and your friends a deal- run along.  Depart from this battle.  Go home and get pampered.  Live to see another sunset."[/color]  Ethelred stared at each of the other bandits, as if to emphasize this last part to them.  To further drive home of how unwise it'd be to fight him, he channeled his powers of frost, causing a small layer of ice to form on the nearby leave, branches, and brush.  If any of the bandits got closer, they'd notice the temperature had dropped measurably around the knight.

[color=6ecff6]"The Queen is carrying out a great work here,"[/color] he continued.  [color=6ecff6]"We are restoring order and driving back the curse.  Those who become her subjects will prosper under her protection.  Those who oppose her will fall.  And when the battle is concluded, I strongly suggest that you reassess your choice in occupation, and consider the benefits of being the Queen's friend rather than her enemy."[/color]

Ethelred stared in the woman's direction, ready to charge if she reached for another arrow.

[@Rune_Alchemist]