Clarissa was crouched down, at eye level with the mysterious cube that sat on the desk.  A few inches away, mean-mugging the inanimate object.  She was startled into standing up when the knock on the door came so soon after she'd been left in lonely silence.  Turning around and seeing the blonde woman approach with tentative questions, she paused and gave her a look up and down.

After the third rapid-fire question, the Director raised a hand to signal stop.  Then came the apology and the explanation that... [i]what?[/i]  New to the world?  What the heck did [i]that[/i] mean?

"The front lines draw ever closer to Valhiem," Clarissa started, her mind still on the 'new to the world' statement.  And the cube.  Always the cube.  She narrowed her eyes as she organized her thoughts, then sat back down on the desk.  "The entirety of the northeast has fallen into Her hands.  She aims to take the fortress of Tarost in The Dragonspine - the mountain range to the north of here.  If she gets that then she can move easily from east to west through the mountains.  It gives Her access to the Northwest.  And Capitol City."  Clarissa picked up the cube and turned it about in one hand as she looked at it.  "She has threatened to push to Valhiem, but She prefers that we come to her for any battles south of Dragonsridge.  I think she might be preparing to attack us though."

Clarissa continued to trace the cube's patterns with her eyes.  "We've won a battle or two.  A small one on the sands of Jespa.  A valuable defense at Tarost.  Her victories have been more impactful, but it is still important to note our own.  She's not won yet."  Putting the cube down again, she turned her full attention to MacKensie.  "As for why she's gotten into bed with the Voidling Princes of the Oblivion Plane, you'd have to ask her yourself.  Frankly, I'm not interested.  She chose evil and that's that.  What do [i]you[/i] mean; you're 'new to this world?'  Where are you from?"