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MacKensie found herself becoming a captive audience to Barracker and Zell's discussion until Fenna pulled her attention away.

"After the hospital I'm going to find a glass of that champagne-like drink they served us in the clothes shop and drink to the demise of the water ninja," she said.

MacKensie gave a small smile and gave a single resolute nod.  [Colour=Pink]"And I will [i]gladly[/i] join you in that."[/colour]  She sighed. [Colour=Pink]"Whatever happens after that, I only know that it will involve a good sleep.  The chances are high that whoever sent this message to us through the Source Comm; they will require travelling to, in order to meet them.  And if this is the case, then we should be better ready for the road ahead."[/colour]  Her fingers touched the hilt of her dagger as she spoke on.  [Colour=Pink]"This mission has showed me some of my limits, and I think I know where I need to invest my money for future expeditions.  I will be better prepared."[/colour]

James interrupted the two women's conversation, rising up to address them all.

"I would like to congratulate you, all of you, Second chance for beating m- Zigmund, a no small feat" He tried to direct a smile but failed midway.  For MacKensie's part, she was wondering what on earth James was about to call Zigmund by mistake.

[Colour=Pink][i]Perhaps he was going to say 'metal ninja,'[/i][/colour] she decided, although addressing Zigmund as such would surely come out as '[i]THE[/i] metal ninja' and not just 'metal ninja.'  It was a strange moment, but he continued to speak so she let it go and listened.

"Sadly there is no time to celebrate, the thing I did with Zigmund was basically an exchange of memories and we got a problem, Valheim is under siege by forces of the Witch Queen, I calculate we have enough time to rest before we need to get in the thick of it again but I thought you would appreciate more being in the known" MacKensie tried so hard to stoicly refrain from groaning a sigh, but failed completely.  She was way too tired and mentally drained for this, a far too looking forward to just relaxing after their trips to hospital and the Guildhouse. "Sorry for dropping it like this but from the memories, the situation ain't pretty"

MacKensie shook her head disappointedly as she looked off into the distance.  She wasn't sulking.  Well, not completely.  She was looking for something constructive to say, but she couldn't think of anything right away.  She had some vague memories of History in school.  From what she could remember, particularly from Napoleonic history, was, [Colour=Pink]"Under siege could mean that the battle has not yet begun.  But it might be impossible to get past the invading army.  Are cities under siege not usually fully surrounded?"[/colour] she asked.

She would not dare voice her other thought, [Colour=Pink][i]Should we change course?[/i][/colour]

That felt cowardly.  Perhaps they could help.  Surely, even with their Source Crystals and abilities, they could not fight [i]a whole army[/i].  But still, [Colour=Pink]"There must be something we can do to help,"[/colour] she said aloud, not so embarrassed to verbalise that.