Nora and party appeared about a mile outside of Winterhold, then rode the horses in under the Thundering Hooves spell. To find the townspeople out on the street despite the hour, staring at the swirling force that was playing around the College.

 

“Put the horses away,” she ordered her friends. “I'm going up to see what's going on.”

 

“I'm coming with,” said Eldawyn. Sofia hesitated for a moment, then nodded her determination to see this through.

 

“Okay. Elda and Sofia come with me. I really don't think the rest of you are going to be able to do anything here.”

 

They ran up the ramp, until they reached the point of the first fount, where most of the faculty and many of the students were gathered. Staring at the swirling blue force that enveloped all of the College. Not everyone was there, and Nora had to hope that whoever had been trapped in the College was still alive.

 

“Did you find it?” asked Tolfdir, his eyes locked on the stave in the Dragonborn's left hand.

 

“We found it,” said Nora, her mind again playing over the scene of her friends under magical attack, Annekke dying. “I hope it was worth the sacrifice.” She looked around at the people gathered on the bridge. “Where's Mirabelle?”

 

“She, she didn't make it,” said Tolfdir in a hushed voice. “She stayed behind to make sure the rest of us got out.”

 

No. That bastard Ancano has so much to answer for. She had never gotten to know Mirabelle that well. Not like Faralda and Tolfdir. She was hoping to spend more time with the Master, learning all she could. And now that was denied her, as the woman who was next in line to become Archmage was now gone.

 

The world faded in and out for a moment, and Nora was sure it was the doing of Ancano and the Eye. Unmaking the world?

 

“We need to get in there and stop him before he ends us all,” said Nora. “I have the Staff. So what do I do?”

 

“Aim the staff at the magical field and visualize it working,” said Tolfdir, shrugging his shoulders. “That has to work, right?”

 

Nora wasn't sure about that, but she thought the Gods wouldn't have let her come this far to only see her fail. So she pointed the staff at the magical field and willed it to work. Nothing.

 

It’s got to work, thought a frantic Nora, feeling panic coming over her. She was so damned tired, grieving, angry. Not in the best shape for this battle. But the battle was here and she had to engage. Work, damn you, she thought as her rage grew.

 

Suddenly a beam of force leapt from the end of the staff and contacted the swirling energy of the field. Nora could feel the energy being pulled in by the Staff of Magnus, some of it fed into her body, the rest shunted away. The Dragonborn could feel her magical powers expanding from being bathed in the energy of the Eye, controlled by the staff. Still, it seemed like an insurmountable task. There was so much power here. How could one person handle it? She kept pulling it into the staff, sending most of it into the void.

 

She was on fire, her very skin crackling with energy. At any moment she expected to actually catch fire, until only her ashes remained.

 

Kynareth, give me strength, she prayed, and the Goddess answered her. Divine energy flowed through her, healing her, cooling her, and she whispered her thanks to her patron deity. She was aware of the presence of other deities, Divines, Daedric Princes, even some of the old Elven Gods, giving her what support they could. They were feeding energy into Kynareth so the Goddess could meter it out to the Dragonborn.

 

For minutes she pulled energy into the staff, which had grown as hot as a sun in her hands. The blessing of the Goddess was starting to fade, and she wondered if even the Gods could deal with something like the Eye.

 

She could see the underpinnings of reality, like a tapestry woven by powers beyond comprehension. And that tapestry was coming apart, one strand at a time. Soon the material form of the world would no longer be, and all of their struggles would be over. Maybe that would be for the best. There was so much cruelty in this world, a little voice told her. So much pain. Perhaps it would be best if everything returned to a primordial state.

 

Fuck no, she raged in her thoughts. This world was beautiful, and the people here deserved the chance to live. Under this insane vision of the Thalmor only the spirit forms of the High Elves would exist. All else would be gone. It couldn't happen. She couldn't let it happen. With a final burst of rage she sucked in a huge amount of force, collapsing the field.

 

“That's done it,” shouted Tolfdir, bringing Nora back to the here and now. “We need to get into the Hall of Elements and stop Ancano.”

 

Nora nodded, barely able to keep her eyes open, and stumbled forward. Eldawyn and Sofia were to either side, supporting her.

 

“Maybe I should use the staff,” said Eldawyn.

 

“No,” whispered Nora. “It would destroy you.” She knew that her connection to the Goddess was the only reason she had been able to handle the energy coursing through the staff. It had still almost killed her, and would certainly end anyone else who tried to wield it.

 

Going through the door into the vestibule of the Hall of Elements they were confronted with the field again. The swirling energy took up the entire central hall, even stronger than the one Nora had already taken care of. She shook her head, set her feet, and engaged the field with the staff.

 

It was easier this time, slightly. It still seemed like too much energy to handle, but handle it she did. She did not know where the energy was being shunted, and at the moment she didn't care. As long as it was no longer here. After some minutes of pulling energy out of the field it collapsed, and she, Tolfdir and her two mage followers ran into the room, to see Ancano standing in front of the Eye, a band of energy linking him with it.

 

“You've come for me, have you?,” shouted the maniacal Altmer. “You think I don't know what you're up to? You think I can't destroy you? The power to unmake the world at my fingertips, and you think you can do anything about it?”

 

“Stop this right now,” shouted Tolfdir, casting a spell at the elf, with no effect.

 

“I am beyond your pathetic attempts at magic,” yelled the mad elf. “You cannot touch me.”

 

“Use the staff on the Eye, Nora,” shouted Tolfdir, pointing at the orb, which seemed to be opening up as she watched.

 

“Enough,” screamed Ancano, and everyone in the room who was not holding the Staff of Magnus, Tolfdir, Eldawyn and Sofia all fell to the floor as if they had been poleaxed. They lay there unmoving except for the slight rise and fall of their chests. Alive then, and Nora was the only one who could stop this madness.

 

“Still you persist?” screamed Ancano, his voice amplified like that of a God. “Very well. Come then. See what I can do now.”

 

Keep talking, you arrogant motherfucker, thought Nora as she leveled the staff at the Eye and set it to work. She had found that people who bragged during a fight were often overconfident, and that could only help her cause. She hoped that was the case here as well.

 

The Eye opened fully, releasing its full power, and Nora knew this was the decision point. Either she stopped it now, or the world was unmade. She started sucking up the power of the Eye through the staff.

 

“No you don't,” yelled Ancano, turning away from the Eye for a moment and throwing spells at the Dragonborn. Nora could feel the sting of fire and cold, but they were not enough to hurt her badly while she was wielding the staff. Nora pulled Dawnbreaker with her right hand and moved to Ancano, keeping the staff pointed at the Eye. She swung the powerful blade through the elf and felt only air.

 

He's invulnerable to weapons, she thought, also recalling how Tolfdir's spell did nothing. Nora dropped the sword and pulled her pistol, hoping that maybe the weapon from another world might have an effect. It hadn't worked before, but maybe now? She fired a couple of rounds through Ancano's head, watching as the bullets impacted the far wall with no effect to the man.

 

“You dare approach me here?” screamed Ancano. “Are you mad? You cannot hope to defeat me!”

 

I might be mad, thought Nora. This might be a dream, but as long as I'm breathing there is still hope.

 

Nora kept at it with the staff. At times the Eye closed, then started to open again. As long as she kept it from fully opening it couldn't release its full power. She was determined to stop it from doing its worst, even if she had to stand here until the end of time. Of course, if she were here too long, Alduin would finish the world in his own way and all would still be for naught.

 

“You dare challenge me?”

 

Yes, motherfucker. I do. Nora kept sucking up energy, feeling like she was about to burst into flame at any moment. The Thalmor stumbled back for a moment as the Eye fully closed. Nora moved, throwing a side kick into the man and sending him back to fall to his knees. She had finally gotten a strike in on him, and needed to keep after him.

 

Ancano raised a hand and his link to the Eye was back. Nora threw a roundhouse kick to his head, and almost fell as her foot went through him without resistance.

 

“No! You will not deny me this!”

 

Nora kept at it, slowly closing the Eye once again, glancing at Ancano every couple of seconds to see when her next opportunity for attack would come.

 

“No! The Eye is mine! You cannot take this away from me!”

 

The Eye closed, and Nora moved on the Altmer, launching a killing blow at his temple. The Altmer got a hand up just in time, and the powerful ridge hand rocked him back. He reestablished his connection quickly, and Nora's next strike went through him.

 

“I cannot be defeated! I will end you! Die, insect! My power is supreme!”

 

The elf kept shouting how he was unbeatable while he fought to open the eye, and Nora struggled to close it. With a final burst of energy she closed the eye completely, and moved on Ancano, ready to end it.

 

Ancano pulled his sword and came at her. She dropped the staff, moved out of the way of the blade, and launched a flurry of punches into the chest of the elf. She could feel bones snapping under her blows, and the elf screamed in pain, then struggled to draw another breath. Nora slid into him, her hands around his head.

 

“No!” gasped the elf as Nora gave a strong twist and felt his neck snap. She dropped the Altmer to the floor, giving him a swift kick in the ribs for good measure, then scooped up the staff and turned back to the Eye. Which, though closed, was still radiating way too much power.

 

“You did it,” exclaimed Tolfdir, getting back to his feet, Eldawyn and Sofia rising with him.

 

“It's still here, and it's still putting out too much power,” said Nora, staring at the Eye. “What do I do now?”

 

“I... I don't know,” stammered Tolfdir. “Ancano is gone, but whatever he's done to the Eye doesn't seem to have stopped. I have no idea what to do!”

 

Nora was dead on her feet. She frantically searched her brain for ideas, but that organ had decided to rebel and was not cooperating. Would she have to stand here indefinitely, draining the Eye with the Staff?

 

The world rippled around her for a moment, and Quaranir, the Psijic mage who had given her the teleportation spells at Mzulft, appeared, two other members of his order behind him.

 

“We knew you would succeed,” said the Psijic mage. “Your victory here justifies our belief in you. You have proven yourself more than worthy to guide the College of Winterhold.”

 

“What?” stammered Nora, her vision starting to blur. What did the man mean, guide the College of Winterhold?

 

“The Eye has grown unstable,” continued the Psijic mage. “It cannot remain here, or else it may destroy your College and this world. It must be secured.” The other mages moved until they were all standing at the hundred and twenty degree points around the Eye. “Ancano's actions prove that the world is not ready for such a thing. We shall safeguard it... for now. You now have the opportunity to maintain your College, and carry on with your lives. You have our gratitude, Archmage.”

 

The mages and the Eye all shimmered with power, and then were gone. And so was Nora, as the world went black around her and she fell unconscious to the floor.

 

 

*     *     *

 

Nora came to many hours later, ravenously hungry, laying in a large soft bed. She looked around a moment, recognizing the Archmage's quarters. Why was she here? Then she remembered that Aren was dead, and the Psijic mage had called her the Archmage. That wasn't right. She was still a student. Maybe expert level by now, but definitely no archmage.

 

“How are you feeling, my Thane?” asked Lydia, standing over the bed.

 

“Hungry,” gasped Nora.

 

“And we have food and drink for you,” said Valdimar, bringing a tray filled to the brim with food. Meat, potatoes, steamed vegetables, some soup. Jordis was right behind with a large jug of wine at hand.

 

“We won?” asked Nora, her mind still confused.

 

“You won,” said Tolfdir, coming to the bed. “It was amazing. I was lying there, unable to move, watching you battle that madman who should have been far beyond you. Never giving up, until he had fallen.”

 

“He wanted to unmake the world,” said Nora softly. “That's what the Thalmor want. To return the world to the state where they were all part of one spirit, and none of the rest of this exists. Talos stands in their way, and eliminating his worship opens the door for the Thalmor to get their wish. Except Ancano almost did it himself, Talos or not.”

 

“Interesting,” said Tolfdir. “And frightening. And something we have to oppose.”

 

“And why did that Psijic mage call me Archmage?” asked Nora, looking up at the old master. “I'm still a bloody student, not even a master. It's not something I deserve.”

 

“They seemed to think so,” said Tolfdir, shaking his head. “And advanced enough or not, I think your actions proved you worthy of the title.”

 

“Nope,” said Nora, shaking her head. “I've been roped into enough positions I didn't want.” Seeing how Tolfdir's face had fallen she hurried on. “It's a great honor, but not one I'm prepared to accept. I'm here to save this world from Alduin, not see to the day to day running of this institution. I think the job needs to go to someone else. And I can't think of anyone more suited to the position than you, Master Tolfdir.”

 

“I, don't know what to say, Nora,” said the old mage. “I'm not sure I'm the best choice either. But if you're determined to pass on the position, I guess I can take the mantel until we as a faculty can make a decision.”

 

Nora spent the day in bed, recuperating, restoring her resources. Sleeping and eating like a pig. The next morning she felt as good as new, though the knowledge that they no longer had Annekke with them was enough to put a damper on her spirits. That afternoon she attended the ceremony that put Annekke's body to rest in the local Hall of the Dead. Their friend was gone, the memories remained, and Nora once again wished it could have been different.

 

“You know it's what she wanted?” said Lydia, her arm over Nora's shoulder as they walked from the hall. “She wanted out of her life in the mines to go adventuring, to prove herself worthy of Sovngarde. And so she did.”

 

“I know you're right, Lydia,” said Nora, wiping at a tear rolling down her cheek. “It's a comforting thought, and it's still hard to let them go. To let any of you go.”

 

“And if I fall in your service, my Thane, I will have Sovngarde. I expect you will mourn me as well, though I hope you do not spend too much energy on it. That is what makes you a Thane worth serving, and I am so happy that I found your service.”

 

Nora went back to attending classes the next day. The last mission had seen her grow so much. Her store of magicka and life energy had increased. She was a better swordsman, a more proficient archer. Her destruction spells packed more power, and she even felt a stronger connection to the divine. So much so that her energy empowered the people around her. She went to work learning expert level spells, ahead of anyone who had ever attended this institution. She learned Ebony Flesh, Paralysis and Detect Dead from Alteration. Conjure Storm Atronach and Command Daedra from Conjuration. The Unbound spells in destruction, Flames, Freezing and Storms. Pacify and Rout from Illusion, along with the holy grail of that school, Invisibility. And finally Grand Healing, Repel Undead and Turn Greater Undead from Restoration.

 

All of the tomes had been given to her as a reward for saving the College. Still no Resurrection spell, and she realized that no one at the College knew that casting, or even if it really existed. She learned the spells, one a day, all she could handle, and scribed new tomes for Eldawyn to read. She realized that Sofia wouldn't be able to handle the expert level spells, and most likely never would. That was fine with Nora. The spellsword had proven her worth many times over, and Nora was willing to take her as she was.

 

The Dragonborn also began holding services for Talos, asking any people at the town and College that wanted to attend. She was still a devote' to Kynareth, and a champion of Meridia, but any deity who was an enemy of the Thalmor was a friend of hers. Tiber Septim, the man who became a God, was a most unusual deity. That he was a deity was a given. Nora had received blessings from his shrines, feeling the power flowing into her. On this world that was a sign that there was something there. And the rumors she had heard of the Thalmor soul trapping Talos worshipers after interrogation made sense now. A trapped soul, the majority of its energy in a soul gem while the part that was the personality languished in the Soul Cairn, meant that person was permanently separated from the God. The Gods got their power from their worshipers, and reducing the number took away their Godhood. Take away all of them, and the God was no longer. Talos gone and the Thalmor were one step closer to unmaking the world. That could not be allowed to happen.

 

Nora ran into Nirya late in the day. The beautiful Altmer looked at Nora with what had to be hero worship, something that made the Dragonborn decidedly uncomfortable. “Ancano is exactly why we're so restrictive about access to the College,” said the cultured Altmer. “We'd all have perished if it weren't for you.”

 

“Someone else would have handled the problem,” said Nora in her improving Altmer.

 

Nirya clapped her hands together in delight. “We might have to get to know one another better.”

 

While Nora could see herself in bed with the beauty, she wasn't sure if the personality that went along with that form was worth it. She left with a noncommittal response and walked over to the Hall of Attainment. Running into Phinis Gestor on the way.

 

“Nasty business with that Ancano fellow,” said Gestor, cringing slightly. “Pity that I was unable to assist, but I was... otherwise occupied.”

 

“Any progress on that project I asked you about?”

 

“Oh, that. Nothing concrete. But I think I might have something soon.”

 

“Eldawyn's freedom is very important to me,” said Nora, poking a finger into the Conjuration Master's chest. “Look. I'll pay you to find it. Just name your price, as long as it doesn't involve selling my soul.”

 

Gestor gave her a curious look, and Nora thought the man just might have been considering that. What could he do with the soul of a Dragonborn? She decided not to pursue that line of questioning, thinking it better not to know.

 

Finally, she ran into Drevis Neloren, the Bosmer Master Mage of Illusion. The man seemed to be the only one who wasn't happy that the Eye was no longer floating in the Hall of Elements.

 

“The Eye of Magnus. Here, but lost. Slipped through our grasp. Oh, what we might have learned.”

 

“I think it's a good thing it’s no longer here,” said Nora, thinking of all the abuses it could be put to.

 

“That's one way to think of it,” said the mage in a disapproving tone. “I wonder what we could've done with the Eye, had it been put to better use?”

 

Nora didn't think it could have been put to the use of good. She wasn't sure the Psijics could be trusted either, but that was out of her hands, and they seemed to be a competent bunch at the very least.

 

J'Zargo approached her just as she was getting ready for bed, heading for Faralda's quarters where she was to meet the master mage and Eldawyn for some tension relief.

 

“These sands are cold,” said J'Zargo in his lilting accent, “but Khajiit feels warmness from your presence.”

 

“How very kind of you,” said Nora, wondering what the Khajiit wanted.

 

“And are the archmage robes as comfortable as J'Zargo thinks?”

 

“I never tried them on. I'm not going to accept the position.”

 

“But, why? It is a great honor, is it not?”

 

“I didn't come here for honors, J'Zargo. I came here to become a better mage, so that I could use that magic to help this world.”

 

“Good point. J'Zargo would like to follow Nora when she leaves the College on her next excursion. This cat feels he will advance more in your service than in sitting in a building surrounded by dusty tomes.”

 

“What are you good at?” she asked, realizing that what she said might be taken the wrong way, quickly amending it. “What are your skills?”

 

“J'Zargo is now casting expert level spells. This cat is most skilled at destruction and restoration, though J'Zargo knows some spells from the other schools. J'Zargo can fight as well, using two handed weapons and armor.”

 

“Can you sneak?”

 

“You jest, yes. J'Zargo is a Khajiit. Sneaking flowed into me with my mother's milk.”

 

“Tell you what. Meet us on the top of the Hall of the Elements tomorrow after class and I'll give you a try out. Okay?”

 

“J'Zargo will be there. Nora will be impressed.”

 

Nora wasn't sure about that. The cat was very confident, but was that confidence earned or not. She would find out tomorrow. Tonight she had soft mouths and soft bodies to occupy her attention. The sex was as good as always when dealing with two Altmer lovers, and afterwards there was some good conversation, letting Nora refine her Altmer even more.

 

“You are becoming quite skilled in our language, love,” said Faralda, laying on one side of Nora and gently caressing a breast, while Eldawyn lay behind her running her hands over the Dragonborn's back. It was enjoyable after play, feeding into the after-orgasm glow suffusing Nora's body. “You still need a little work on your gerunds, of course. And your past perfect tense is less than perfect. But all in all, you're coming along nicely.”

 

“It's a complicated language,” said a frowning Nora, trying to get her word endings correct.

 

“That it is,” said a laughing Faralda. “But I can't say if it developed that way naturally, or if some of my people complicated it on purpose, to prove their superiority to you lesser races.” From the way she said it, Nora knew the Altmer believed no such thing about the races.

 

“On to other things, my dear,” said Faralda after sneaking a kiss. “You advanced even further with the past ordeal. Something from channeling so much power through your body has changed permanently, yes.”

 

“I believe so. I feel like I have more vital energy, more internal strength, and much more magicka. I think using that teleportation spell the Psijic's gifted me with strengthened my casting.”

 

“Teleportation spell? Now that's something I would like to have under my command. Any way I can talk you into making up a tome for me?”

 

“I'll try. But they had some way of imparting the knowledge directly to my brain. I'm not sure I can write a tome. Not yet, at least.”

 

“Oh well,” said the frowning Altmer. “It figures those secretive bastards would have found a workaround to transmitting their knowledge. Still, you're fortunate to have gotten it. They must have really thought the world of you. And naming you Archmage.”

 

“You know why I turned that down?” asked Nora. When Faralda shook her head Nora continued on. “I don't deserve it.” She held up a hand to stop Faralda from speaking so she could finish. “Maybe my actions were enough to make me worthy. But I didn't achieve that which other archmages' had. I'm not the master of any schools, so I'm really not the equal of any master mage here.”

 

“You underestimate yourself, dear heart. Of course you are not a match for any of the masters in their particular schools. However, you are strongly eclectic. You don't know as much about destruction as I do, but I don't come close to your understanding in several of the other schools. But I can understand why you turned it down. You're a woman of action. You need to be on the road, taking care of the evils of this world while you prepare yourself to take on the ultimate evil. Am I right?”

 

“Correct. Though I'm about to take more of a hand in confronting a lesser evil. If they are lesser. That Thalmor mage was trying to unmake the world through the Eye. I think that is the goal of the Thalmor, and it's something I can't allow.”

 

“I, I didn't know that,” stammered Faralda, eyes wide. “There have been rumors, conjecture. But nothing solid. I can assure you that most of the Altmer like the world the way it is. Food, drink, friends. And sex,” she said with a laugh. “Something we three agree on. I have no desire to become one with some primordial mass of the Altmer. I like being an individual, thank you.”

 

“What are your beliefs, my dear?” asked Nora, genuinely curious.

 

“Well, many believe it is possible to ascend to the realm of the Aedra, becoming gods,” said Faralda, becoming serious. “But since there have been no new divines in the memory of my people, at least not from our stock, I doubt that. Most of us believe we go to a paradise to a short time to cleanse our spirits for rebirth. Rebirth includes cleansing our memories from us, so I think we should enjoy this life while we have it. Yes.”

 

'“Maybe that's another reason the Thalmor have it out for Talos,” said Nora, sighing. “After all, if none of theirs have become a divine, but a human had.”

 

“If you believe such things,” said Faralda.

 

“Oh, I believe that Tiber Septim became something after death,” said Nora with conviction. “Whether a full divine, like Kynareth, or just some kind of beneficial force, I don't know. But when I'm in a service for Talos, something manifests. And when I pray at his shrine I feel an energy entering me. That's real.”

 

“And you're going to war with the Thalmor?”

 

“Don't try and talk her out of it,” said Eldawyn from behind Nora. “The bastards deserve everything she can give them.”

 

“I don't disagree,” said Faralda, closing her eyes. “But be very careful. They may be bastards, but they are powerful bastards. Someday you may become a mage to challenge the power of the Altmer archmages of Alinor in the Isles. But you will still only be one, and they many.”

 

“I'll be careful. I'm envisioning only striking at them when I can get away with it. But I want to find the soul gems they have trapped the essence of Talos worshipers in. They are cutting off those souls from strengthening the God they worship, and I can't let that go on.”

 

“And what will you do with these soul gems when you have them?” asked Faralda, raising an eyebrow. “As far as anyone knows, they are trapped there for good, or until some mage siphons that energy into something else. And their personalities are doomed to the Soul Cairn forever.”

 

That part of this world caused Nora to work up a righteous rage, just like that she felt when she tried to defend an innocent man in prewar Boston. It was unfair that someone who had led a good life was destined to an afterlife of suffering just because some bastard cast a spell on them. She didn't know much about the realms of Oblivion. Some were said to be beautiful, the inhabitants mostly happy. That was never said of the Soul Cairn.

 

“If there's a way around that, I will find it,” said Nora, shaking her head. “In the meantime, I intend to collect as many filled black soul gems from the Thalmor as I can, for eventual release.”

 

“I can see you finding a solution,” said Eldawyn. “Our Nora is tenacious if nothing else.”

 

“But, this is the natural order of things,” protested Faralda. “Oh, I hate black soul gems myself, and refuse to use them. But other mages are not so selective.”

 

Then those mages need to learn the error of their ways, thought Nora, determined now to end that practice if possible.

 

The next evening, after classes, Nora, Eldawyn and Faralda were on the top of the central tower, ready to put J'Zargo through his paces.

 

“So, you wish to leave us, J'Zargo,” said Faralda in her best authoritative voice. “My prize student.”

 

“Not permanently,” said the anxious Khajiit. “This cat only wishes to improve himself like Lady Nora did. And help the world at the same time.”

 

“I can see that,” said Faralda, laughing. “And you can always come back, assuming no one has made you into a rug.”

 

J'Zargo looked like he didn't relish that image, but he pulled himself up to his full height and gave back a level gaze. Nora had to admit that the Khajiit looked formidable. He was dressed in steel plate armor from head to foot, expert mage robes over it all. The hilt of a great sword protruded over his left shoulder, obviously his weapon of choice, after his magic that was.

 

Nora cast a detect spell, reading the magicka store of the Khajiit. It didn't match her own, but was impressive for a student. Near what Eldawyn had, and sure to grow in time.

 

“Let's see your spells,” said Nora, looking over at the targets they had erected on the roof. “Your whole repertoire.”

 

J'Zargo nodded, then moved into a mage's fighting stance, both hands at the ready, and started sending offensive spells into the targets. Fire, then frost, then shock, showing off several versions of each type. He cast a powerful ward to his front, something the cat had been having trouble with when Nora first arrived at the school. He cast healing on himself, then all the observers, then some armor spells. He seemed to be skilled enough. Less than Eldawyn, more than Sofia.

 

“Okay,” said Nora, pulling a practice sword from its sheath. “Let's spar.”

 

J'Zargo was good, though limited by his weapon. That sword would deal terrible damage if it hit. Against someone with Nora's speed he hadn't a chance. When Nora attacked he did his best to get his blade in the way. A few times he succeeded. After about ten minutes of attack and defense Nora called a halt.

 

“I guess J'Zargo didn't do so well with his sword.”

 

“You did fine, J'Zargo,” said a smiling Nora. “You passed your audition. Now I need to see how you handle yourself in a team. So tomorrow we will assemble outside of Winterhold and see how you handle yourself. But so far I like what I've seen.”

 

After the Khajiit had left the roof Faralda turned to Nora. “Well, he did well enough with his magic, but you handled him easily in the close combat.”

 

“My dear, I don't mean to brag, but there are very few people I can't handle easily in close combat on this world. What I need to see is if J'Zargo can fight as part of a team. And we'll find that out tomorrow.”

 

And we need to get him some better armor, thought Nora. Hardened steel might be okay for the common battlemage, but she wanted the cat to be much better protected. So some better armor and enchantments, after he proved he could function with her group.

 

J'Zargo proved himself the next day in a couple of hours of maneuvers on the ice. He listened to orders and did his best to follow instructions. He fought by the side of Lydia and Jordis as Valdimar, Sofia and Elesia attacked. Not the best Nora had ever seen but definitely not the worst. He was someone she could work with, and she talked with the tired Khajiit after their training session.

 

“You're in,” she said, and the Khajiit broke into a wide smile. “But there will be more training before we see any real action.”

 

“That is good,” said the Khajiit, his face serious. “Nora is a skilled leader. J'Zargo sees this. And J'Zargo feels good about his chances with her.”

 

Nora thought about that. She didn't want to lose any more people, unlikely at best. And she didn't want this idealistic young cat to join the ranks of her dead.