"Oh, no. I'm not saying anything about the brandy. If that ever got back to Isabela, I'd be in for it." There was an underlying tension in the light banter. He knew something was up. He just didn't yet know what or how bad it might be. The only thing worse would have been tipping off their would be attackers that they were prepared.

He cursed under his breath as the two dropped, pivoting and slamming an elbow hard into the jaw of the man before he had the chance to get his feet properly under him. It staggered him without taking him down. The man spit blood to the side, rolled his neck, and muttered, "Gonna make you pay for that one, blondie."

If he didn't need all of his focus, he would've rolled his eyes. Like he never heard that one before. What was with people thinking that was an insult? This fighter was better than the others. He circled Cullen to feel him out before darting in with a vicious jab.

Cullen parried with a shearing hiss of steel on steel of the blades, sparks flying, and broke the attack with a circular twist of his wrist. It had been a while since he had fought without his shield, but two handed weapons used to be his sword of choice. It wasn't hard to adapt his longsword technique as defensive and offensive. He trusted Hawke to take care of herself and to give a yell if she ran into trouble. He couldn't spare a glance in her direction yet. His leg burned and throbbed as though a hot coal sat against the skin, and it was taking all of his concentration not to let it throw him off.

He feinted left and swung right, slicing into shoulder muscle and jerking his sword free. The man bit back an outcry and retaliated with a flurry of furious blows that pressed him hard just to hold his ground and keep his head on his shoulders.