Elara didn't charge them with a battle cry. She simply stepped out from behind a massive fern, her eyes reflecting the deep emerald of the canopy.
With a wave of her hand, the roots retracted, depositing the terrified men and their ruined machines back toward the edge of the tree line. The Forest Champion!
"The wood has denied your entry," she said, her voice like the rustle of dry leaves. Elara didn't charge them with a battle cry
"Go back to your stone cities," Elara called out as they fled. "Tell them the Champion is awake. And she is very protective of her garden." the roots retracted