"There are more people back in the other direction, but they're all in a state of panic." Going back in that direction might mean there were people who were more willing to help, instead of the unsavory sorts who were looking to pick off anyone alone and away from the safety of the crowd - but it was relative safety. It was still incredibly chaotic in the other direction, and Ina wasn't sure that running straight back into a riot would be much of an improvement over dealing with the likes of these men. She was at her best when she had some distance and space to work with, after all.

One of the thugs, who was a bit closer to her than the rest, had perhaps realized that an archer would be a more formidable opponent with some distance, and he suddenly lunged forward.

But "more formidable" didn't mean "a slouch in close range," either.

She swung her bow in a sweep that knocked him off his feet, re-aiming as soon as he hit the ground. Ina's father had taught her more than only archery, and the limbs of her bow were reinforced enough to work as a blunt weapon in a pinch.