章節 689: Returned and Lost

Ennura stands at the port as the navy returns, or at least, some of the navy. She and the others watching were taken aback at just how many ships at been lost. The fact that the ships they currently saw were nowhere near enough to transport the men that'd initially set sail weighed heavy in their thoughts.

Umnii and Irarus stood at her side as people began disembarking the ships, the first people off being the injured and crippled. They were rushed off to the hospital/shrine Mikhail to seek treatment, the friends and families of those injured departing too to accompany them.

Ennura searches for Kunkka to seek an explanation, the fact that Surtr was no longer with them was glaringly obvious. Both since he hadn't gotten off the boat yet and also due to the rumours quickly spreading from the soldiers and sailors.

"Er..." Wei walks over and gives an awkward salute that Kunkka had drilled into her, "I'm here to report things..."

"And where is Kunkka, may I ask?" the Eredar Jarl drawls with folded arms.

"He's-... Helping complete some makeshift repairs on the ships, he said he wouldn't be finished until tomorrow. Mentioned something about not letting the ships sink?" she offers despite sounding pretty dubious.

"Too afraid to show his face? That doesn't sound like him..." Umnii remarks while glancing to the side.

Ennura just sighs, "No it doesn't. He'd better have a good excuse..." she mutters before shaking her head, "What happened?"

---------------------------

After Wei's explanation Ennura immediately calls all people with any degree of authority to the hall. Having them sit down on a large long table and immediately go into the situation. "So, who here would protest us going to war with Skyrim?" she questions, causing the place to go silent.

"As far as I know, this is the likely situation we've found ourselves in. Miraak's dead and Surtr's betrayal leave us as his only real local target left. Add the Emperor's recent demise..." she trails off, watching those that'd gone to Solstheim pale slightly.

News of the Emperor's death had been spread far and wide, faster than it should have if inspected with a keen eye. The fact that the Dark Brotherhood had been the ones to do it only made it more sensational. Everyone present was aware of Surtr's potential value to the Empire, since the Emperor hadn't had any heirs, Surtr had a straight path to uniting the two Provinces once more... Ironic given Surtr's original allegiance to the Stormcloaks.

Tiffania circled a finger on the back of her palm in thought, Tsunade, Charlotte, Maria, and Saya sat beside her, each providing a comforting presence that cuts through the almost despairing atmosphere. Unlike most of the hall, they and a few others were the only ones who truly knew how powerful Michael was. So Winterhold's destruction was rather unlikely, even if the rest of Tamriel banded together to attack them.

What she was really worried about was giving Michael another excuse to 'Let loose'. She knew he'd been watching Surtr like he was an alarm clock with a random time assigned to it. It was actually kind of creepy, Surtr didn't seem to be aware that his time was running out, and his blatant growing hostility only made her put out about the whole thing.

Surtr was giving Michael what he wanted, an excuse, a justification to be cruel.

"What are we even arguing about?" Saya voice speaks up, causing the current discussion between the table to pause, "The Spire can kill anyone who attacks, Winterhold's basically self-reliant, we are far more technologically advanced than everyone else, and no one could sneak in with how many Eredar runes had been installed around the place." she lists off, "I highly doubt Skyrim will back Surtr again after all his loyal men were killed in Solstheim... So if we are attacked it would be from Cyrodil, which gives us even more time to prepare."

"We know Winterhold will be fine," one of the richest merchants in the city-states, though, with little surety in his tone, "It's those of us that have family, businesses, or properties outside Winterhold that worry. What if they target our assets outside!?"

Saya shrugs, "Bring them inside then. Ditch your houses and wheel all your luxuries here while you have the chance. The rest of us aren't going to sacrifice things so your gold-gilded toilet isn't stolen." she uncaringly states.

Ennura pipes up to subdue the coming argument, "While we value your contribution to the Hold, Jarus, our goal is to protect the people and property within the Hold. Your possessions outside of it don't concern us."

"But my backing does! Will you force me to take my gold somewhere else?"

She shrugs, "If you wish, you are hardly the only person wanting to claim a place here."

...

The merchant looks left and right at his colleagues, but they don't catch his eyes, instead looking elsewhere as if they were strangers. It was true too, Winterhold had no lack of funding, the amount of gold it had trumped even Solitude now. The only Hold that came close to it was Riften, which under Brynjolf's steady hand had brought it new life.

Discussion continue for an hour more, but halfway through Dan Kato sneaks inside and whispers "Michael's returned." to Tiffania and the others, prompting them all to leave, all except Saya who decided that being involved was more important than greeting Michael...

-------------------------

Michael with Ymir on his shoulders steps through the World Gate and into the entrance hall of the Eye of the World, his new and old friends following along. Saeko and Megumin step through next, each letting out a sigh of contentment at finally being back in their comfortable home.

Last of course was Mikasa, who was carrying Eren and Armin under her arms like sacks of potatoes. Neither had awoken yet but she was pretty certain they'd need to have a long sit down to figure everything out from here on... Their lives had basically been flipped on their heads after all...