He frowned slightly at her choice of words but didn't know quite how to protest without sounding overly pedantic. "A skilled lancer can wield a variety of polearms, not just the one from which we take our name," he said. "I've wielded lances, spears, harpoons, tridents, and halberds since taking up the art; each has unique considerations, but the underlying principles are much the same. I'm curious what wisdom you have regarding their use that you believe I haven't considered."

His tone was equal parts curious and condescending. He clearly didn't believe that Mal had any ideas regarding polearms that he hadn't already considered, but was curious to see if she might prove him wrong.