[Giles shakes his head in answer to Ed's first question. Then, indicating the tree branch:] A makeshift weapon, if you must know. Hopefully enough to stun, if not actually wound. I can't use much else, at the moment, even if I had anything else.

[And, because the bit about it being "that time again" did not go unnoticed, he adds in a cautious tone of voice:] If this is a, um, regular occurrence for you, then I hope you understand my suspicions.