The young knight tried to hold back a wry smile upon seeing the familiar faces. Never has he been so grateful to hear Lilith's grating tone, or the stony look from Lucas and the lanky and unreliable stature of Henry. He felt a calmness sink in at the sight. His steps then quickened down the stairs, but he quickly regretted this when Ezekiel held him to prevent him from falling, his ankle suddenly giving out with a lax in strength. 

	He sighed. Truly pathetic. He had taken quite the blow to his pride today, having lost so glaring to the yellow giant, but was this bout of arcane fatigue really prohibiting him so much? He supposed he didn't possess much of a tolerance since it had been years since he did anything of such nature, but he thought he had more willpower than this. Forcing through sleepless nights was nothing new, right? And didn't he relinquish his arm as fuel for the large torrent of magic. Was that not enough? Answering that question for him, a dark feeling surged from the back of his thoughts. He had paid a much larger price for the small victory. Mikhael tried purging the dark thoughts weighing in his mind, shaking himself, an attempt to strip away the weakness hanging like chains wrapped around his body. He held his head high as they walked across town towards the caravan, a stoic expression moving passed the alleyways. The people of Kale were counting on them, noticing the gaze of a few wide-eyed ragged children out of the corner of his eyes. He could tell an orphan when he saw one. Kale have very few to spare as it was, so he wouldn't dare let them think this expedition was for naught. 

[i]I can't fail... not again.[/i]

Mikhael looked at the Queen, his hand coming out for a split second, but recoiling upon feeling the public gaze. 
	
	He turned to one side, a foot placed upon the steps, trying to hide his missing arm with the silhouette with his body. "Please smile, dearest Queen..." he started, "You are precious and beautiful, so a smile suits you more." he looked directly at her now, cheeks turned a shade red at the embarrassing and trite words, "I have always admired that smile of yours. I will do whatever it takes to protect it..." his brow furrowed as he tried to form one, his cheeks twitching as though having great difficulty at doing the simple gesture, the corners of his lips pushed up to an awkward and seemingly painful expression. 

It looked more like he had been punched in the groin more than making a smile. 
	"See? It doesn't suit me at all..." he chuckled, releasing his face from the vice. 

"You have a very special gift. So promise me, no matter what happens. Keep smiling. For everyone... For me."

...