Recoiled when guard abandoned line (5)
I believe the answer is:
shied
'recoiled' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for shied that I've seen before include "Cast" , "Thrown" , "started" , "Flung, tossed" , "horse did this?" .)