Sparhawk is being rather careful here. He remembers well how Mirtai, the Atan warrior, mopped the floor with his closest friend, Kalten. Sparhawk has no wish to repeat the experience here.

"Would you consider it rude of me to ask for you to prove your words? While I well believe you are extremely capable, a demonstration might suffice to quell the nagging voice in the back of my head. "

He thinks he's phrased this diplomatically enough. He also hopes that Jo doesn't take advantage of his offer to take out some of her frustrations.