This arc could somewhat salvage itself by just saying that there was no way she could have known about winter breaking magic or the power of winter, which it kind of did? It's very poor writing to imply that Athy was a moron who waltzes into things she knows are traps if she isn't powerful, and making her lose to literally her first opponent makes the readers think she's helpless. If it had been a long, drawn out battle where several other knights died and Athy held her own until the end, I would be far more pleased with it. At this current point, it seems any idiot with some winter magic could kill this girl the story has talked up as being strong and independant.
I don't mind the damsel in distress trope in some situations, but making her rely on her husband at literally the first sign of trouble is not a good sign.