As they slowly rode along, the Colonel told Caryn he had just sent his officers out to gather the soldiers’ decisions and would not know their answers for some time yet.  They talked about what lay in store for those who chose to stay and finally, they reached the area of the camp in which Caryn anticipated the conflict.  The same men she had eavesdropped on earlier were having a heated discussion about their futures.  This is it.  They’re the ones she thought.  It’s time to get their attention.
“Good morning soldiers!” she said.  “I believe you are speaking about me.  Is there a question I can answer for you?”
They turned and looked.  One of them shouted, “There she is… the woman who would take away our manhood, our swords, our armor and our self respect!”  The others muttered, nodded their agreements and quickly became focused on only one thing, rejection of this new monarch who would put an end to their adventures and enjoyment of the battle.
The Colonel ordered them to “Stand down and disperse!”  But, Caryn had other ideas.  She stopped him from interfering.
“Colonel, it’s time for you and your soldiers to see, first hand, certain things about which you all know nothing.  Observe!”
The men moved towards Caryn.  The Colonel’s horse whinnied and he started to move between his Queen and the soldiers.  She held out her hand, stopped him and looked the leader of the rebels in the eyes.
“Soldiers, you wish to dispose of me, therefore, I give you this opportunity to do just that, here and now.  Do your worst!”
The Colonel didn’t know what to do.  His first thought was to protect the Queen but, she was still holding her hand out for him to stay still.  With a frustrated expression, he grudgingly held his horse in place.  Caryn nudged her horse forward a few feet to separate herself from the Colonel.  Then, she calmly said, “If you really wish to do me harm, please proceed.”
The soldiers drew their weapons and surrounded her.  “You carry a sword woman, defend yourself or die!” yelled one of them.  Caryn and her horse remained perfectly still.
“Your blows mean nothing to me soldier, do what you will but, remember this ––” She pointed to each one of them. –– “you… all of you, shall answer for your actions today and shall be judged accordingly!”
They looked at each other, not quite sure what to do.  They had a clear path of attack but they were trying to understand just exactly what The Queen meant.  Most were hesitant to attack a woman who made no attempt to defend herself but there was one who moved forward.  He swung his sword with all of his strength, expecting to fell the Monarch in one blow.  His blade passed through Caryn’s body with no effect.  The full inertia from the lack of resistance on his sword threw him off balance and he slipped, falling to the ground, stunned.  It was as if she were a spirit.  Caryn took a long silent breath.  Her heart went back down from her throat and she thought, Wow, we’re okay… just like Hestia said.
Her attacker was surprised but got to his feet and swung again.  There was still no effect.  His anger grew.  He attacked, over and over, swinging his sword at a woman who just sat on her horse calmly looking at him, unaffected by his blows.  Anger became uncontrollable rage as he continued his violent attack until finally, completely exhausted, he fell to the ground panting for air.  The others were dumfounded.  They looked at each other for answers to such a strange event and then, realizing they could do no better, put their swords away.  Caryn heard them whispering to each other.  “Who is this person?”  “How can this be?”  “I don’t understand!”

The silver dagger, a weapon of last resort; it looked extremely dangerous. Caryn found it in the most unlikely place and wondered if she would ever have to use such a thing.