Exhausted as he was, he could do little but watch her during her sudden onslaught of questions, demands and statements.  Even less he could do to stop the sudden, albeit distantly pleasant, kiss.  The faint rush of energy that came with it was clearly not from him, and it wasn't too hard to understand that the embrace had been intended to give him some much needed energy if he were to recover any time soon.<br/><br/>"Perhaps, child...you have been alone too long?  Many a poet has said that pain and suffering are needed to truely appreciate life."  He managed to pat her hand comfortingly, "Now don't worry your pretty little head, little sister.  You've got me at your beck and call for a few more days at least, but this quest goes beyond mere duty."  He frowned saddly, resting his head back and closing his eyes tiredly, "Lives hang in the balance, and every day I delay could make all the difference in the world...the Gods aren't likely to step in, and the Dragons have always been above such trivial matters.  This is a matter mankind must right themselves I fear, and we are a flawed people."