"Of course," he grins through the ring of steel, shifting from swift footwork and matching lighter blows to more solid stances and powerful strikes. He isn't faster, but perhaps he can try to brute force through his defense instead. The strategy only sometimes worked on Erik, but Hendrik does it to him all the time. Granted, there isn't much defense against a Zwaardsrustian with an axe.

"My best friend," he elaborates, knowing he's easier to read for the slower strikes, but Archeval has already been reading him rather well, so he may as well fight to his own advantages. "Former thief. Slight. Very nimble."