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Valhiem was busy and beautiful.  It felt good to finally be in civilization again.  MacKensie walked at Joji's side down the pavestone street that they had been directed down by the city guards, giving a horse and cart a wide berth as it went the opposite way to the southwestern gate from which they'd just come.  The cart-driver gave them a polite nod as he passed and MacKensie returned the courtesy.  The frenchwoman look around as she went, spying the big mountain in the backdrop that dominated the city.  Even from here, the massive spikes and statues of the Citadel's architecture could be observed.  This place was like something out of a fairytale.

[color=Pink]"Joji,"[/color] MacKensie alerted the swordsman next to her and pointed up at the roof of a large building.  Her sharp eyes had spotted Fenna's falcon looking right back at them.  This must have been the hospital.  Joji said he'd come by later, so the Ranger nodded and bid him goodbye for now.  The falcon had proved so intelligent since it joined their party that MacKensie figured it must recognize them, so she waved as she approached the hospital.  It spread it's wings in reply, causing the Ranger to giggle - her first bit of joy since the battle.  Brief and fleeting mirth, but much-needed.

Inside, she spoke to the receptionist and were shown to the waiting room where everyone was already gathered together, MacKensie just catching the end of what James was saying to Zell.  She opened her mouth to say, Hello... [color=Pink]H-,[/color] but when she saw Lillianna, her words caught in her throat.  She was alive and perfectly well - finally some goodness in all this mess!  Marching forward, her eyes alight with joy, she squeezed past everyone else and threw her arms around the white-haired wizard.  [color=Pink]"Lillianna, thank god you're okay."[/color]

Death comes in threes, she'd heard her grandmother say before.  Not today.  She let go of Lillianna, only to take the wizard's face in her hands, smile and then hug her again.  [color=Pink]"Don't scare us like that again, okay?"[/color]

After the moment was over, MacKensie stepped back, under her relief was the awkward feeling of realising she'd interrupted whatever the conversation was before she'd steam-rolled in.  She provided the worst antidote to the situation by continuing to talk.  [color=Pink]"Apologies for my interruption, is everyone well?"[/color] she checked, looking around at the others.  [color=Pink]"And you?"[/color] she added, looking at Zell, giving him a nod when he confirmed.  

She stepped back further out of the center of the room, to allow them to continue to talk, giving another smile as she looked at Lillianna.  Nine had become seven.  But they were together, safe and sound. MacKensie vowed to herself that she wouldn't let anyone else die.  Not a promise she could keep, but one she would die trying to uphold.

She (more politely this time) waited for an opening to mention what the city guards had told her.  [color=Pink]"The Academy is on the large mountain in the center of the city.  We must cross the Big Bridge in the northern quadrant to get there.  Apparently there is an Adventurer Guildhouse in that area too."[/color]