Pel barely manages to react quickly enough to avoid her cheekbone being shattered, turning to the side in the direction of the blow. The strike still lands, just not as hard as it would have. She staggers diagonally, trying to put him within the range of her staff, but herself out of range of his sword. She thrusts back with the bladed end of her staff at the first thing she can see that isn't covered by armor. The side of the knee will more than suffice.