...I don't think we should take it as a given that the first attack was up close. H- Honestly, given how cleanly his throat was slit, I'm inclined to think that it was the opposite: the culprit threw one weapon, but just barely grazed Valmont. Valmont then turned to confront the culprit and get into range to defend himself, but his throat was slit in the middle of the dorm before he could get a single attack in.