[quote=@Vordak]
[@MelonHead] Lower belly? For some reason, i thought it was higher up, covering Sigurd's chin from the kick.
[/quote]

Nope, it would have been in the way of the sword slice if it was above his right arm, not to mention he had just delivered an elbow to Gigue's ribs so it was low anyway as this is one continuous action for Sigurd.

'not to mention the Northman’s stone arm had rested low over his torso to ease the passage of the cutting sword, and would prove a powerful obstruction.'

Sigurd didn't even know a kick was really on the cards at that point, so guarding his neck would have been a little pre-emptive. The only protection he had from that was his right shoulder (and pauldron) which was stretched over his body.