Only do so much work if they're in one piece? His eyes widen and he's considering protesting because he likes being in one piece, and then she's telling him to get his guard up. How does he get his guard up with a sword? It's not a staff. It's not at all a staff and he fumbles to get the blade up in time. Despite getting it up, he's knocked back several steps and he gapes at her.

"What does guard up even mean? It's all blade! There's no guard bit! It's stab!"