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It was strange.  Of all the things that had happened so far.  Waking up in a coffin.  Fighting actual skeletons.  Seeing the terrifying beasts that were the ogres.  Of all these things, the most frightening and intense moments of the whole experience, had to be the surgery.

MacKensie walked along with the group, near the back, in somewhat of a daze, not noticing that her footfalls were so light that she didn't leave tracks.

It was trauma-inducing.  To cut into another human being's flesh while he shook and cried in pain.  To have to keep going.  For his own good.  It was all she could do - for the following half hour - not to burst into tears.  Rationale had finally taken over, emphasising the fact that they had saved the guard's life and many others, but she still thought about it, and now the larger picture surrounding it:  The horrors of war.

She'd always been a politically-minded young woman.  Firmly anti-war.  But here, against this 'Witch Queen,' what choice was there?  This was not squabbles over national resources or clashes of culture... this was good vs evil.  Everything she knew about politics had to be thrown out of the window, right now.  And with the information she had, knowing deep down that she might well be stuck in this world for the rest of her life, she had to consider that her new home was in danger of annihilation.  She had to consider doing something she swore she'd never do...

She had to consider that she might go to war.

The former uni student shook herself of these thoughts.  It was simply too soon for her mind to go wandering like this.  She needed more information.  A big city like Valhiem with academics like herself might be the key to finding out more about what was going on in Mytheria.  Especially as her group had, in their possession, that strange metal cube.  [color=Pink][i]Enough, Mac,[/i][/color] she scolded herself.  When it came to politics, she simply could not help but stick her nose in other peoples business.  It was just the way she was.

As the group moved forward, MacKensie strayed over to walk beside James.  [color=Pink]"James, I thank you,"[/color] she said quietly, giving him a glance before looking at the ground in front of her feet.  [color=Pink]"You had more faith in me than I had in myself, in that moment.  It was an honour to help you save that man's life."[/color]  She shuddered as she continued.  [color=Pink]"Just looking at him made me feel sick.  I was so scared.  But you were calm and took action... just like that."[/color] She snapped her fingers.  [color=Pink]"Your strength gave me strength.  I am grateful for it."[/color]

She stayed at his side as the group covered distance, Adam leading the way.  When Adam told them the plan, MacKensie answered affirmatively, her bones suddenly happy at the mention of rest.  It had been a long day and there was only so much that adrenaline, magical blessings and positivity could do before the body demanded to sit the hell down.

[color=Pink]"You have a background in medicine or...?  Is this knowledge part of your Gift?"[/color] she asked James, hoping to learn more about all of her comrades, and so starting with the man next to her.