“Launch the boats!” a voice bellowed though muffled by the wood and waves that surrounded the young Redguard.

Almad tossed the remainder of the honey-sweetened tea in his mouth and hurried off his rear. He slung his bag over his shoulders and headed towards the steps, towards those taunting little monsters that almost dislocated an ankle the night before. "Drat!" he uttered to no one. He returned to grab his staff and continued to the main deck, reacquainting himself with that lovely clime for which Skyrim was renowned, and as he turned in the direction of Winterhold, that sudden blitheness fled him like a flame inundated.

"The Nine," he mumbled, clenching his staff as his stomach clenched itself. He parted his lip once more and moved his tongue, but nothing was spoken. Words thought certain were made into a web of confusion. 

Winterhold was supposed to be a town. There were supposed to be buildings and cattle and people, guards rushing to the docks to inform them of the trouble, but there, whatever that was, was nought but a craggy coast and soaked remains. He recalled stories of the previous terror that struck the town—the Great Collapse—and even that was made lesser by what claimed his sight. Nothing natural fell Winterhold, he told himself as he boarded one of the dinghies.

He then looked up at the towering construct—hard and true like the stone from which it was carved—disconnected from the mainland and an island onto itself. Odd, he thought. A mage from the college visited Sentinel and spoke of the ancient place as isolated in a solemn but sweet manner, told him of how a mere bridge separated them from everyone else and how beautiful the quaint town appeared when the candles and sconces peered through the cold night air. 

Almad sighed and gazed at his palm as it was engulfed by a gentle ringing of bells, celestial clinging, and aurulent radiance. He glanced at the College of Winterhold and smiled, but his smile was not a warm one. It was critical and petulant. 

"Suppose that's one bridge the mages can say they didn't burn," he said to no one in particular.