[Sound advice. It would be foolhardy to strive to reach the battlefield only to be bested once he got there. Jack is one of the best swordsmen he knows. If they could go so far as to thrash him... After some seconds' consideration the admiral draws an audible breath.]

Very well, but my options are limited. Given the circumstances I suppose that yours would be an adequate stone on which to whet my blade. Presuming, of course, that you were game for a second thrashing.