Cullen's expression has cleared; he's nodding. "That's habit." Simply. "Habits can be corrected. Or amended. There's a reason knights and chevaliers train for years before they can do anything."

He tucks one of the swords under his arm, holds the other out to her, adjusts his grip on the shield. "Hard work and discipline can save you where cleverness fails."

There's something sad in his brief smile.