Why was she angry?
Internally, the knight felt helpless because she didn't know the answer to her own question, but externally, she managed to break away from the Commander's block and keep up a confident facade. Even if she was doubting her mind and heart, she knew that, at least physically, she was capable enough to take care of herself.
"Do you need to speak to wield a sword?" she retorted.
The Commander's expression faltered, and his momentary lapse allowed Irene a moment to swing her sword again. She put less strength into this one, wanting to knock him out of his head and back into this match that she had started instead.
It gave him clarity in the worst way.
