Sigurd's feint would be a threat to no one should he throw it out, as Gigue would've already repositioned himself by that time. He had no doubt that his opponent would deny him a chance to grapple and put minimal commitment into the palm strike, anticipating the warrior's reaction to it rather than the results of the attack itself. Thus, he was more than ready to chase the man down: Sigurd took a short step back, without switching the leading foot, while Gigue answered to that with a large passing step, shrinking the distance to point blank and putting the tips of their toes on a single line.

The step would also carry him to his right, Sigurd's left: this would've been a good moment to start a true offensive, throwing a quick jab to the back of the head to dazzle him; unfortunately, Gigue's closest arm was the right, which was still imbibed a dull, irksome pain, and he didn't want to disturb it yet. Instead, the brawler drew in his left leg and turned around slightly, so that his front knee would be facing Sigurd's back, rather than turned away from it. A subtle shift of weight onto the rear leg, and he'd consider himself ready, having moved in even closer and taken a fairly advantageous position. Now he had to just wait, see and adapt to his adversary's next move.

That, or he'd win enough time for the wound to calm, opening up the option of a head-on assault.