Nathaniel looks irritated. Or, more irritated than before.

"I fought in the Grand Tourney as a squire," he says crossly. "I even placed well. I've just grown unaccustomed to blades since then."

That would sound suspiciously like pride. Nathaniel begins to circle again, but doesn't wait long to close in and take another swing, this one intending to behead. Well, technically, to stop just short of beheading. If Loghain keeps his mouth shut.