"Yeah," Porthos states dryly. "With the right techniques."

Which he very much knows he doesn't have - yet, anyway. That's what he needs Aramis's help for, isn't it? So he turns to face his friend, reminds himself, once again, that he isn't wearing his gloves, and switches to a fighting stance, legs bent to be more reactive and less easily unbalanced, sword held as if in challenge - that last bit is probably not right for him now, but it's instinct.