A Wolf's Howl, A Fairy's Wing

While Astrid was basking in happiness from his previous words, Viljar chuckled at Erik, "Although I'm pretty sure she never imagined you with multiple wives, so you might want to prepare your speech for when you meet her again."

Erik groaned a little as he wasn't looking forward to that conversation. But then he shrugged, "Well, I'm sure she'll understand. And even if she doesn't, she'll get over it."

Viljar grinned and nodded, "Probably right. She loves you far too much to let something like that get between you. Anyway, I hope you don't mind I decided to step in just now."

In the background, the crowd continued to cheer for the happy couple and, surprisingly, the cheers became more sincere as time passed. 'I guess they wanted something to celebrate, but needed a little push to get over themselves,' Erik realized wryly.

So he laughed, and patted his uncle's shoulder, "Don't be crazy, uncle. Of course I don't mind." Then, he turned back towards the crowd, "I still need to give them my second announcement though, but feel free to stay here."

He raised his arms in the air to get the crowd to silence down. When they did, he smiled, "Thank you all for the best wishes. I hope our marriage will stand as a symbol of unity between all Runebound."

He didn't really care that much about the symbol of his marriage, as that wasn't why he was marrying Astrid, but if he could mend some fences between vampires and shapeshifters, than he didn't mind saying it anyway.

After all, the plan was for him to eventually rule over both races, and that would be much easier if they didn't want to kill each other at every opportunity.

The crowd grumbled a little again, but they didn't deny his words, so he continued, "The second thing I wanted to tell you, is… that I intend to leave soon."

Silence descended on the crowd as they looked at his podium in confusion. He'd just arrived, took control of the Enclave, defeated the Dominion, threw his marriage in the face of countless years of tradition, and now, like a whirlwind, he intended to leave again?

Erik chuckled jovially at their expressions, appearing like a charismatic leader, "I know what you're all thinking, but let me explain: I intend to find my mother."

This time, the people became excited again.

"I know various rumours have been going around about where I've been the last eight years," he then continued, causing the crowd to suddenly silence and listen closely. "And I don't intend to clear any of those up," he then finished with a grin, causing the shapeshifters to groan.

Softly laughing, Erik continued, "Suffice it to say, that I haven't seen my mother in eight years. I intend to reunite with her, and aid her in her revenge, so that she can return to you all."n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

That last part was bullshit, of course. There was no part of him that was going to find his mother and kill Edda so that Runa could rule the Enclave again, but he was starting to figure out the language of politicians.

And it worked. As his last words died down, the Enclave once again descended into ecstatic cheers as Erik's popularity rose exponentially. This was why he started with his marriage and ended with this. He wanted to ensure the last thing these people thought of him was positive.

Raising his hands again, he continued, "Thus, I will be leaving for Alta soon, where I will tie up some loose ends, and then head for my mother's most likely location."

He indicated towards Frostfang behind him, "I will take one or two of my mother's disciples with me, but I will leave Frostfang behind to once again take up the mantle he's been wearing admirably for the last few years."

Frostfang nodded, only a little surprised. He'd known Erik was going to leave again, but he didn't expect to be left in charge again so easily. He and Erik didn't have the best relationship.

Of course Erik still had some things to tie up with Frostfang, but that could wait a few more moments.

Finally, he decided to finish up. With a nod, his gaze slowly swept across the entire square, "I'd like to end the day with a few moments of silence for all the friends and loved ones lost in the war."

Although the shapeshifters' close connection to the wild has given them the ability to accept death far easier than humans or vampires, seeing it as a normal part of life, didn't mean they didn't miss their lost ones.

Just because they had an easier time with acceptance and moving on, didn't mean they wouldn't rather those people were still with them.

Thus, silence descended on the town of Kirkenes. Even the three hundred remaining vampires took this time to grief. Not for the lost shapeshifters perhaps, but for their own. Many of them had no idea if their loved ones were already dead, or lost somewhere in the sea of ghouls.

Astrid, Frostfang, and Liv, all participated as well. Astrid and Liv had lost their own friends and acquaintances during Sigurd's rebellion, and Frostfang considered the entire Enclave to be his to protect and nurture.

As for Erik, he decided to take this moment to remember his father, since he would soon leave Finnmark, the only place his father had ever known, for an unknown period of time.

After a few minutes, Erik opened his eyes, and spoke up again with a serious frown, "And with that, I put an official end to the war between the Enclave and the Dominion. From today onwards, Finnmark belongs to the Enclave."

Experience tales with empire

Taking a moment to let the ensuing cheers die down, a smile on his face, he continue, "I suggest you all take the next few days to get some well-deserved rest, and start rebuilding efforts afterwards."

Then he turned sombre, "But don't get too comfortable. I believe my mother and I will be calling on you soon enough, so I hope you will all be ready to fight again when the time comes."

The crowd all gained serious expressions, before nodding at his words. They may have seen enough fighting for a while, but they were loyal, and an inherently war-like people. They would be ready when the time came.

With that done, Erik turned and looked at Frostfang with a mysterious glint in his eyes, "Jonas. Before I leave, I'd like to speak to you a moment. Let's speak outside of town."

Brooking no defiance, he simply turned around and walked towards the edge of town, expecting Frostfang to follow him.