Nora was conflicted on where to go the next day. She wanted to talk with the Greybeards and find out about the shout that could pull Alduin out of the sky. However, she felt ready to take some of her Master Quests and get access to those spells. She wasn't sure if she was ready for all of them, but had her mind and heart set on Destruction, Restoration, and of course, Alteration. Alteration was very important since it would unlock that Psijic teleportation spell that could move her any distance in an instant. She had been getting a lot of practice with that school using the Blink and Teleport spells. The one she wasn't sure of was Illusion, though she had cast a lot of invisibility spells, maybe enough to progress her into the realm of master. The one she was sure would not be hers was Conjuration. She had gotten plenty of practice calling up Golden Saints, but she wasn't sure that was enough.

 

“Okay,” she told her people as they gathered for breakfast at the table in the throne room the next morning. “We're going to the College. The sooner I can get to Master Status the better.”

 

“I think that a wise decision,” said Eldawyn. “Whatever it takes to learn that unknown shout, I am sure it's going to be dangerous. And the more high-level spells under your belt, the better.”

 

“Sure it won't make you jealous, to have the friend you taught so much to surpass you?” Nora had worried about that. Eldawyn had seemed to be beyond her in power when they had first met, someone she would never surpass. Well, she was well past her in most of the schools of magic, and master status would confirm her superiority.

 

“Not at all, dear Nora,” said the smiling elf. “I like living, and having a powerful master mage around seems like something that will support my goal of surviving. Plus, dear heart, you are a friend. And one who faces a terrible trial. Anything that helps you survive your trials is a good thing as far as I'm concerned.”

 

“So, you will go back to the College and grow in power,” said Ulfric, looking as if he was unsure of the good of that. Nora could see his point. If she did turn out to be an enemy down the road, a master mage was just about the most fearsome opponent people on this world could imagine. He shook his head. “Well, say hello to Faralda while you are there. Tell her I think of her, often.”

 

Again Nora was left to wonder about the man's relationship with the Master of Destruction. Well, that was between them, and she had no doubt that the Altmer mage had Nora's best interests at heart.

 

“Thank you, Jarl Ulfric. I count you as a friend, and hope nothing occurs to change that status.”

 

Ulfric looked like he didn't really believe what she had said. Not that he doubted the spirit of it, but the reality that was to come.

 

Within the hour they had the horses loaded up and were teleporting in stages along the way. They stopped outside the fort where they had routed the necromancers, to find that more of their kind had set up shop. Nora really didn't understand where all the evil mages came from. From those she had met in the various institutes and courts, most seemed to be good of heart, genuinely caring about the welfare of the common folk. But these damned necromancers kept springing up. They and their damned undead.

Nora burned them down, sending multiple Fire Storm spells down on them. Cold spells didn't work well on the undead, but fire took them out just fine. Too bad for the living mages who were reduced to ashes. They broke into the fortress after taking out the outer ring. It was a disappointment. The necromancers might have respawned, but their treasures had not.

 

The rest of the trip was uneventful, the party spotting a couple of wolf packs and teleporting away before the creatures could even react. The last stop was the town of Winterhold, where they unloaded and stabled the horses. The party decided to let Nora handle the instructors on her own, retiring to The Frozen Hearth for some food and drink.

 

First Nora went to see Olivia, who was overjoyed to have the pages back. The mage taught her a spell from each of the schools, then sent her on her way with a warning that she might be needed again in the future.

 

“Young lady,” said Tolfdir as Nora approached him in his office. “Good to see you again. Have you been practicing your magic?”

 

“Every day, Master Tolfdir,” said Nora, looking fondly at the old man. “In fact, I think I'm ready for my Master's Quest in your school.”

 

“Do you now,” said the old man, looking at her intently. “Yes, I must say that you are. But you realize that the quest will not be easy.”

 

“What does it entail?”

 

“I have been working on a potion that will advance you to master. Experimental, but it should work. Unless you want to spend decades of study to reach the same destination.”

 

“I'll pass. So, what do I need to do?”

 

“You must quest for a blade called Kahvozein's Fang. I can't tell you where it is. You will have to determine that yourself. And once you find it the real trial begins. I need scales from a dragon. Not just any scales, but heart scales, which only Kavozein's Fang is sharp enough to shave away.”

 

“A dragon,” said Nora, nodding. “No problem.”

 

“Oh, yes. I forgot. You are the Dragonborn. Killing dragons is your vocation. Still, be careful. I would hate to see a student such as you advance so far just to die.”

 

Tolfdir looked like he wanted to ask something else, but was unsure of himself. Nora had an inkling what it was.

 

“Master Tolfdir,” she said, touching his arm. “After I take care of the day's business I will return, so we can discuss, other matters. If that is okay with you.”

 

“Of course, my dear,” said the old man, a wide smile on his face. “That is most acceptable.”

 

Nora wondered if the master and Faralda were still hooking up. Or if something had come between them. If so, that was a shame, since both tended to retreat into loneliness if left to themselves. Well, she could give the Archmage some pleasure before she left, and take some herself in the process.

 

“Good to see you, student,” said Faralda when Nora showed up in her office. “I sense that you are ready for the next step.”

 

“I guess that's up to you, Master Faralda,” said Nora. “Though the necromancers I incinerated on the way here might have said I was ready.”

 

Faralda laughed. “That is one of the secrets of your swift progress, Nora. Practical application of magic. And how is that working for J'Zargo?”

 

“He has twice the magicka as when he left with me. And is much more advanced in spellcraft. I think it may take some time, but I see master status in his future as well.”

 

“Good. I always thought the young cat had the potential. And no one could doubt his resolve. But now, about you. I can teach you no more. But I can give you this.” Faralda handed over a heavy tome that radiated magic.

 

“And this is?”

 

“The book called Power of the Elements, the tome that will advance you to Master in Destruction. You must decipher the phrases within to find the location where you will cast the spell on the book. Once you have cast one spell, the next phrase will appear. Finish this quest, return, and I will give you the master level destruction spells.”

 

“Any hints?”

 

“Only the book,” said Faralda, shaking her head. “Sorry, but those are the rules. If you want master bad enough you will complete the quest.”

 

Nora felt like cussing the woman out but restrained herself. Faralda had been a good friend, and alienating her would not be helpful. The way things worked on this world cheating could lead to disastrous consequences, so better to just do it by the book.

 

“Did you want to talk with me, Nora,” said Drevis Neloren, the Bosmer Master of Illusion.

 

“I'm not sure, Master Drevis. Is there anything more you can teach me about Illusion.”

 

The Bosmer looked her up and down for a moment, as if judging her worth, then smiling. “You have gone beyond my teachings, which is quite a feat. I did not think it possible. But there is always more to learn. I believe you are ready for the next step.”

 

“And that is?” asked Nora, wondering what other hoops she would be forced to jump through.

 

“Knowledge of truly powerful Illusion spells is here at the College, but it is hidden from those who might misuse it. I shall teach you a spell to discern things hidden from others. With it, you will be able to acquire the texts you need. Bring all four to me and I shall use them to inscribe the spells for you.”

 

He taught her the simple spell that would reveal the hidden books. Nora was sure it would not prove as simple as it seemed, but if she found all four of the books she would be a Master of Illusion. At least one of the quests could be accomplished here in the walls of the College. Which left Restoration, and she sought out the high-strung Restoration mage in the Arcanum.

 

“Master Collette,” she said by way of greeting when she found the woman, as usual asking new students what they thought of Restoration.

 

“I'm not really a Master,” said the Mage, shaking her head. “I'm the most advanced Restoration mage at the college, so I have the position. Danica is a true master. But I have the feeling that you are even beyond her ability to teach, yes?”

 

“I think so,” said Nora in agreement. “I want to take my Master's Quest. Do I need to talk to her?”

 

“No. It doesn't work that way. I think you need to go talk with the Auger about this. He's expecting you, you know.”

 

“The Auger,” said Nora, surprised. “What does the Auger have to do with this.”

 

“He was a quite brilliant mage of Restoration, you know,” said the woman in a wistful tone. “Most probably the best the College had ever seen. Well, he is the one who will give you your Master's quest. Be sure you are ready for it because some do not make it back.”

 

“What is it, exactly?”

 

“I, don't know. Just that the few who have passed in the time I have been here were changed by it forever.”

 

Nora didn't like the sound of that. She started to wonder if she really wanted to become a Master of Restoration. But the benefits! Better spells against the undead, greater healing ability for herself and others. For all the complaining that Collette did about how people depreciated the School of Restoration, Nora had found it just as useful as the others. More so, when it came to keeping her people alive, always a priority with her.

 

“I guess I'll go down and get this one over with,” she told Collette, who merely nodded in return. If she had time today she would complete the Illusion quest, and get two of them out of the way that day. She doubted anyone had ever tried to tackle two of the quests in the same day, but then, most lacked her motivation.

 

The Midden was just as dark as she remembered it. Wearing only robes, with Dawnbreaker belted by her side, magical jewelry all over her body, she felt ready for anything. That feeling began to wane as the Auger greeted her outside his chamber.

 

“You return. And this time I have what you seek.” The door lock clicked and Nora turned the handle. The vessel the Augur occupied glowed with power and there was a hint of danger in the air.

“Are you ready to face the trial I have set before you, Nora Jane Adams?”

 

“What is the trial?”

 

“You will face creatures that will try to kill you. You will be without weapons, without magical charms. It will only be you and your knowledge of the art that stands between you and death.”

 

Nora didn't think that would be much of a problem. She had greater magical stores than just about anyone, and regenerated it much faster. As if reading her mind the Auger disabused her of that notion.

 

“The test is set according to the perceived ability of the supplicant. Since you are mightier than anyone who has ever come before me, so the test will be severe. Now, are you ready.”

 

Nora swallowed, hoping she knew what she was doing. “I'm ready.”

 

“Then let it begin.”

 

Nora faded, then reappeared on the other side of the glowing well, devoid of all clothes, all weapons, all jewelry. She was naked in the truest sense of the word, within any protective covering. And two glowing specters appeared and started to assault her, one with magic, the other with physical force. She staggered under the assaults, realizing that these two could take her down, and quickly.

 

Nora called up the Greater Ward Spell along with Close Wounds. She held up her left hand and cast Close Wounds continuously, sending a wave of healing energy into herself, while her right hand cast the Greater Ward Spell to block out the harmful magic of the spell casting ghost. That was all well and good, but the other ghost moved around her and struck, leaving a bleeding wound on her back.

 

“Shit,” growled the Dragonborn, turning her Ward toward the physical attacker and blocking him away for the moment. A burning shock ran down her side as the casting ghost took advantage of the opening. Nora staggered back. She could keep ahead of the damage, barely, but she was using up a lot of magicka each moment, more than she could regenerate. If she survived or not depended on long this trial was going to go on. If there was a time limit she might get by. If the task were to defeat the ghosts she might not have enough in her.

 

Physical Ghost attacked again. Nora dropped the Ward spell and blocked the arm that was wielding the Spectral Blade, then spun and cast ward in time to intercept the spell of Casting Ghost. Physical Ghost came back at her, and she spun around to block the weapon. The ward came up again, barely catching a cold spell. This would work, for a short time. But she was off in her timing and another cut appeared, this one across her chest, and blood dripped down a slashed breast.

 

Nora let the Close Wounds spell go for a moment, letting her own accelerated healing factor staunch the bleeding while she concentrated on warding both ghosts, each hand pointed at one of her assailants. With a thought she pulled up Turn Greater Undead and cast it at Spell Casting Ghost. The ghost howled in panic and fled, to cower against the far wall. Nora turned all of her attention to Physical Ghost, blocking and striking, then sending Chain Lightning into it, staggering it. The spell caster was still refusing to approach, which wasn't stopping it from sending spells into her.

 

Nora went back to Close Wounds with one hand while she sent lightning into the spell caster continuously. She maneuvered quickly, not allowing the Physical Ghost to set up a strong attack. She still got stung, but nothing serious. As soon as she felt she was as healed as could be she put both hands to use in casting lightning, hitting the casting ghost with enough power that it fell back, then down, fading from existence.

 

Physical Ghost cried out and redoubled its attack. Nora held it off with a ward spell in her left hand while throwing lightning into it with the other. The Ghost fought back, scoring a hit here and there, but mostly taking damage without returning it, until it could take no more and faded away.

 

“Very good,” said the Auger. “You kept your wits and found a way to defeat the Champions of Restoration. You have proven worthy of the Master spells of the school.”

 

“And will Collette give me the tomes?”

 

The Auger said nothing, but knowledge flooded out of it and into Nora's mind, and suddenly she knew. Blood Seeker, Breath of Arkay, Circle of Death, Dust To Dust, Godform, Infinite Light, King's Heart, Life's Finale, Meridias Wrath, Worm Shroud, Bane Of The Undead and Guardian Circle were now all hers. It would take some days to explore them all, and learn all that they had to offer, but she had a complete repertoire of the most powerful Restoration spells known in her magic arsenal. The ability to completely destroy lesser and turn greater undead. To kill living targets or heal all of her allies. To equip herself with divine magic to strike at foes living and dead.

 

Nora felt an energy wash over her and looked down to see that she was again in her robes, Dawnbreaker at her side, all of her magical jewelry lending her their aid.

 

“You have passed the trial and been given the spells. Now, go into the world and use them for the protection of self and others. Something I can no longer do.”

 

“Thank you,” she said, but the well no longer glowed, the Auger retreating to wherever he went when he no longer wished to speak. Nora was sure she would talk with him again, but at the moment there was no need. She walked from the chamber, casting the spell Vision of the Tenth Eye that Drevis had taught her to start looking for the hidden Illusion Tomes. The problem was the Tomes looked like many other books, and the only way to spot them was to look at the area without the Vision spell, then again with it cast. Anything that hadn't been there, and now was, was probably one of the Tomes.

 

Five hours later Nora was back in the Midden. The books had been harder to locate that she had figured, but she was determined to get Illusion Mastery under her belt before turning in for the night. Plus, she had plans for Master Tolfdir, and it was starting to frustrate her that it was taking so long. She had found three of the Tomes, one in the Arcanaeum, and one each in the Halls of Countenance and Attainment. Those had all been bitches, and without the Vision spell it would have been impossible to find them. But that left one more and it was proving the most difficult to track down.

 

So here she was, back in the Midden, where there were thousands of places it might be. She thought it wouldn't be under a pile of rubble somewhere. That would go against the rules of this game, which was to hide the books in plain sight, only seen once the spell was cast. She had reached the Atronach Forge, something she was planning to play with some day. Looking all around with a magelight spell she found several books, none of which could be the last Tome. But she had a clue. Casting the Vision spell she watched as another book appeared near others on the table near the forge.

 

“Yes,” she shouted,, grabbing the book and running out of the Midden and up to the Hall of Attainment. “Master Neloran,” she yelled as she ran to his room, pounding on the door. “I found them.”

 

“It's getting late, Nora,” said the Bosmer, pulling his door open.

 

“Please, Master Neloran. I've found them. Can't you please give me what I need to become a Master of Illusion.”

 

“Impressive. And Collette told me that you already had attained Master of Restoration today. The College has had several double masters, Mirabelle being the last to attain that achievement. But never someone who achieved master in two schools in a day.”

 

“So you will give me the Tomes?”

 

“Of course, Nora. It wouldn't be fair of me to withhold them after you accomplished your task.” The Bosmer reached into a cabinet and pulled out a dozen tomes, then reached into another and pulled out some more. “Welcome to Master Status,” said the smiling Bosmer. “I already told Collette how wonderful it was to have a Master of Restoration at the College, and now I can welcome you into my school.”

 

“Isn't Collette a master?” asked Nora, remembering after she asked that the woman had told her as much.

 

“No,” said Drevis, shaking his head. “When the last master left, to become a priestess I think, Collette was given the position, in the hopes that she would eventually attain Master's status. But she never did. Same thing happened to Gestor. Master Falion had a falling out with the Archmage and left in a huff. Gestor filled in, but was never quite able to get to Masters' status.”

 

“Thank you, Master Neloran,” said Nora, bowing her head, and receiving one in return.

 

“You are very welcome, Master Adams. And remember, when the fight seems hopeless, an illusion that can confuse an enemy may be your only path to victory.”

 

Nora glanced over the tomes as soon as she could get them back to her student room. Call to Arms, Hysteria, Mayhem and Harmony were the four tomes that the master had pulled out last. Nora wasn't sure why they had been separated from the rest, but figured it wasn't worth inquiring into. The other ten looked to be of more interest, especially Shroudwalk, a spell that was a higher-level version of Invisibility. It made one invisible for a full two minutes, and many actions could be taken during the duration of the spell. Casting, opening a door, swinging a weapon, picking a lock, all returned the caster to visibility for a few seconds, then they faded back into transparency. She could think of a lot of uses for that spell, and determined that that was the one she would learn first. There was also a spell, Mass Invisibility, that would turn all of her allies invisible, though it worked much like a standard spell in that anyone performing an action would render the spell void for all.

Looking at the time Nora almost canceled her plans. However, she remembered how stressed Master Tolfdir had been, and she had a lot of nervous tension in herself to unload. She had a key to the archmage's quarters, and thought it would be fun to surprise the Master. She laughed as she had that thought and headed to the central hall to put her plan in action.

 

* * *

 

The door to the Archmage's quarters opened to the key she had kept. She opened it slowly, making no noise, and went up the stairs. Tolfdir was still at the desk, though slumped over with his head resting on its surface, fast asleep. It was a bad position to sleep in, and the Archmage was sure to have a sore neck come morning if he slept the night there. Nora had other plans. The robes came off easily, followed by her underclothes. Sometimes she thought the armor took too long to remove, but the garb of the College was easy to take off, and she stood there naked, looking down on the old man, taking a good look and planning her next move.

 

Nora found a way to crawl under the desk, and soon had Tolfdir's pants down, his flaccid cock in her face. She licked up and down the shaft, kissing the head, then taking it into her mouth. She ran her tongue around it while it was in her mouth, feeling it starting to firm up. Tolfdir moaned, but his eyes remained closed, though a smile played across his lips.

 

“Nora,” he mumbled, his eyes opening. “What are you doing down there.”

 

“Why, sucking your cock, Archmage,” she said, removing said member from her mouth for a moment, then going back to it.

 

“That feels so good,” said Tolfdir, eyes closing again. “And how went your meetings with the faculty.”

 

Nora pulled off the cock, now almost at full mast, and stroked it with her hand. “I am now a Master of Restoration and Illusion,” she said with a smile. She went back to his cock, pulling him deep into her mouth, her tongue licking his balls.

 

“I am so proud of you, my dear. And so appreciative of your other skills. And if you keep doing that I'm going to cum. Would you like that?”

 

Nora shook her head. “I want to get fucked, Tolfdir. Would you like that?”

 

“I would like nothing better than to get into your sweet pussy,” said the old man with a smile.

 

“Then let's get you to bed so we can fuck,” she said.

 

Tolfdir smiled down at her as he positioned himself at her entrance, then started to push the head of his cock into her. “I forgot how tight you are, my dear,” he grunted as he pushed about a third of his cock into her wet tunnel.

 

“You feel so good going into me,” she gasped, her arms reaching up as her hands caressed his sides.

 

Tolfdir pushed in slowly, until his groin met hers and sent tingles up her clitoris. “I think I'm all the way in.”

 

“I think you are. Now fuck me.”

 

Tolfdir did as commanded, moving his cock in and out of her tight pussy. Nora thought he felt wonderful. Not the largest, but big enough, and he definitely knew how to fuck. The man thrust in and out, varying the depth, the angle, giving her new sensations throughout their joining. Every time he went all the way in and his pubic area crushed into her clit she cried out in passion. It kept building, the man speeding up his motions, sending waves of pleasure through the woman. He was pounding into her, harder than she expected, and she could feel the orgasm building. But she didn't want him to cum just yet, and put her hands on his ass to direct his motions, slowing him down on the withdrawal.

 

Nora whimpered as the feeling of impending orgasm backed off. She really wanted to cum, but was determined that Tolfdir get all the pleasure he could out of her body. She pulled his head down and engaged in a deep kiss, while Tolfdir stopped moving for a moment and just let his cock rest inside her. When it seemed like he had backed off from his own impending orgasm she started pulling him back into her, letting him get into a rhythm that had her own excitement building again.

 

Orgasm approached again, and this time she had no desire to hold it off. Her clit was humming its pleasure, and the feelings of cock rubbing at her wet pussy walls had her on the verge of screaming. And then it hit, a sudden swelling of pleasure that had her screaming, while her pussy walls clenched and released the invader within it. Tolfdir grunted and sent spurt after spurt of semen into her pussy, keeping it up until his cock started to soften.

 

“I'm afraid that's it for me this night,” he said after kissing her deeply again.

 

“Then just lie here for a moment. I like the feel of your cock inside me. When it slips out on its own I'll be satisfied.”

 

“As you wish,” he said with a smile.

 

The morning seemed to come too soon, and Nora was wakened by the feel of something playing with her clit, sending waves of pleasure through her and eliciting a smile, along with memories of the night before. She opened her eyes to the sight of the gray-haired head between her legs as Tolfdir licked and sucked at her sex.

 

“Think you can get it up again?” she asked as her hands played with his long hair.

 

“I'm already hard,” said Tolfdir, smiling up at her with her juices on his face. “And you seem to be wet.”

 

“Then get up here and fuck me,” she said.

 

This time he lasted much longer, and she rode out a trio of orgasms before he again flooded her pussy with his cum.

 

They lay beside each other, both with a hand on the genitals of the other, stroking, pleasuring. Nora doubted the man would get it up again so soon, but he seemed to enjoy her efforts, and she definitely enjoyed his.

 

“How long will you stay?” he asked, giving Nora a lopsided smile.

 

“I'm leaving today,” she said, putting a finger to his lips to stop him from protesting. “You know I enjoy making love to you. But I am not ready to be your regular thing. However, when I return, I will be looking forward to another engagement.”

 

“Where are you going, my double Master?”

 

“To kill a dragon, so I can get its heartscales. Then to search for the places of power so I can do Faralda's quest.”

 

Tolfdir frowned at the mention of the Altmer Master’s name.

 

“What happened between you two? I thought you would be good for each other.”

 

“She got angry when I kept saying your name in bed,” said Tolfdir. “And then I admitted to having fantasies about you when I was with her.”

 

Oh shit, thought Nora. That wasn't smart. “Archmage. While it is okay to fantasize about other women while in bed with one, no woman wants to hear that the man who is currently fucking her is not concentrating on her to the exclusion of all others.”

 

“But, it's you I want.”

 

“And when I'm here I am more than willing to share myself with you. But my days at the college are nearing an end. I have to concentrate on Alduin, taking him down, and I might not survive that. And it's okay if I die, as long as he does as well.”

 

“But..”

 

“You need to apologize to Faralda, see if she will let you back into her bed. She's just as lonely as you are, you both work at the College, so it's an ideal situation. If you don't screw it up by telling her that she doesn't receive your full attention. So as soon as you can, apologize to her. And start getting regular sex again. Understood?”

 

“Yes,” he said, closing his eyes. “And thank you for what you have given me. Just do me one favor.”

 

“That is?”

 

“When you destroy the Soul Eater, come out of it alive. There are many more things you can accomplish here. And it would tear my old heart apart to hear of your death.”

 

“I'll, try. But no promises I might not be able to keep.”