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Chapter Sixty-Eight Back To School


BrotherofCats

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“Go back to sleep, love,” said Eldawyn as Nora tried to climb out of bed. “Trust me, you need it.”

 

Nora smiled, nodded, and crawled back into her bed, closing her eyes and dropping back into a deep sleep. When next she awoke the sounds of people laughing in the common room brought a smile to her face. Her people were up and about, enjoying the company, and from the smells the good food of the inn.

 

“The hero awakes,” said Eldawyn with a laugh. “And looking like she has run away from death’s door.”

 

“Would you like some breakfast, my Thane,” said Lydia, getting up from the table, coming over and giving Nora a hug.

 

Nora looked over the room as she nodded her head. The room was empty with the exception of her people, the innkeep, and a massive man in scale armor sitting at another table, his helm in front of him. The armor, that which was not covered by a worn surcoat, had a coating of rust. It seemed like the Nord had fallen on hard times, and the frown he turned her way showed that he was not in a good mood.

 

“A triple portion,” said Nora, holding up three fingers.

 

“You’ve passed through here before, yes?” asked the innkeep, a middle-aged Nord with a spreading middle. “Did you ever get to the College?”

 

“You’re looking at a two-school master,” said a beaming Jordis. “And she’s returning to get master’s status in two more.”

 

“And she’s Dragonborn, and a fierce warrior,” said Valdimar, jumping on the boasting bandwagon.

 

“My word,” said the innkeep, walking into the kitchen.

 

“I would prefer it if you kept my exploits on the sly,” she told her people.

 

“Why, my Thane?” asked Jordis. “A warrior should boast of her prowess.”

 

“The Nord way does seem a little, boastful,” said Eldawyn, frowning.

 

The innkeep returned with a full platter of food. Eggs, potatoes, bacon and sausage. And a loaf of hot bread. He put the platter down, then took a seat himself. “I want to see what such a thin woman does with that much food.”

 

Nora laughed, then set to putting the food into her mouth and therefore into her stomach. She inhaled half the platter before she slowed down and finished the rest off at a most sedate pace.

 

“Amazing.”

 

“My Thane has a most unusual metabolism,” said Lydia, smiling.

 

Nora was feeling decidedly uncomfortable with all the praises being sent her way. As the huge Nord warrior got to his feet with a growl she knew she should have been uncomfortable.

 

“Thane? Of what Hold? The Northern Wastes? Dragonborn? Dragon liar. I met the real Dragonborn. A good warrior, and a true Nord. And not a slip of a girl.” The man slammed a fist into the table he had just vacated, shattering one of the boards. “And a cowardly mage? The mightiest in Skyrim? I think not. If you are not just a useless boaster I demand that you fight me.”

 

“Now, Throngar,” said the innkeep. “I have warned you about picking fights in my inn.”

 

“And you will get out of my way,” roared the Nord. “Before I crush you as well.”

 

“Let me challenge him, my Thane,” said Valdimar, standing up.

 

Throngar was even larger than her Housecarl, but Valdimar moved with a grace and economy of motion the hulking warrior couldn’t match.

 

“So that’s how the bitch has become famous. Letting her Nord lickspittles fight her battles.”

 

Nora felt her rage rising, and was tempted to incinerate the man where he stood.

 

“So fight me, Dragonwhore. And no magic. Warrior to warrior. Or should I say, warrior to pretender.”

 

“You’re on, asshole,” said Nora, standing and adjusting her robe. “No weapons. Hand to hand.”

 

“Agreed,” growled the warrior, balling his hands into fists and walking forward. “It will be a pleasure to smash those good looks off of your face.”

 

When the man got into range he launched a roundhouse left at Nora’s face. The Dragonborn brought a left forearm across her body and blocked it away, then moved the same forearm over to block a right. The blows were powerful, and rocked her from side to side, but did no real damage. The man swung again, and Nora simply stepped back and out of the way, then stepped in and launched a flurry of blows into his midsection. And grunted with each strike as she felt the scale mail underneath his coat. Throngar swung again and she again stepped out of the way.

 

“Stand still, dammit.”

 

So I can fight like you damned stupid Nords, thought Nora, deciding on her next move. With a step forward she launched herself into the air, a right roundhouse kick taking him in the face and rocking him back.

 

“Damn you,” shouted the Nord, grabbing a nearby chair and flinging it at his opponent. Nora moved out of the way in a blur and the chair shattered against the wall.

 

Nora jumped in, the knife edge of her foot striking him in the face. Throngar staggered back, and Nora followed, sending a flurry of blows into his head. When the tenth landed his eyes rolled up and he folded up on himself to lay on the floor.

 

“That was amazing, Nora,” said Eldawyn. “You need to teach the rest of us how to fight like that.”

 

Nora thought about that for a moment. While not a master of the martial arts herself, she was the closest thing to it they had on this world. And she had promised them in the past to teach them, so they could handle themselves against large males like the one she had just pummeled. She thought she might teach a class a couple times a week, adding to her own burdens, but improving her followers.

 

“How much for the damages?” she asked the innkeep.

 

“It’s traditional for the loser to pay.”

 

She felt that Throngar had never been the loser, allowing him to start innumerable fights and stay off the financial hook. The inn was not making much money with the scarcity of visitors. She decided to bypass his protestations, and simply use telekinesis to insert a bag of coin behind his counter.

 

“Pack up and let’s hit it,” she told her people. Minutes later they had loaded up the horses and Nora cast the first of many teleport spells.

 

After a number of jumps they landed outside of Winterhold. Nora thought it better to not pop into existence with eight armored people and sixteen horses when mages were already suspect in the town. They rode into town like a normal adventuring party, as if there was such a thing.

 

“There’s one of those mages,” said one of the guards, talking with another.

 

The Jarl, coming out of his longhouse to see what was up huffed and went back inside. Nora knew they would never have the love of these people, but without the College and the business it brought, the town would die completely.

 

“Unload the horses and go to the inn,” she told her people. “I’m going to see Faralda and Tolfdir.”

 

“Don’t stay out too late,” said a smiling Eldawyn.

 

“Be careful, my Thane,” said Valdimar, looking at the pair of guards that was still staring at the party.

 

Nora nodded and took off toward the College in a jog. She wanted to sprint, but since she moved faster than anything that wasn’t a vampire, she thought it better to not draw that kind of attention to herself. She ran over the bridge, noting that some repairs had been made. After going through the gate she called out her greetings to many of the people she knew. In the entrance to the main tower she went to the door that led up to the archmage’s quarters, then decided she might want to see Faralda first.

 

“Brelyna,” she called out, running into the Hall of the Elements where many of the students were practicing spells.

 

“Master Nora,” said the Dunmer student, turning to greet her.

 

“Nora will do. Have you seen Faralda?”

 

“Last I saw, she was entering the Archmage’s quarters.” She gave a knowing smile. “About an hour ago.”

 

So Faralda and Tolfdir were a thing again. That was good, but Nora wanted to talk with both of them. Interrupting their rutting might not be the best way to go about it.

 

“Master Nora,” said Phinis Gestor.

 

“Master Gestor.”

 

“I’m not really a master, Nora,” said the man, flushing slightly. “Master Falion was the old Master, and he had a falling out with Savos Aren over soul trapping. As if we would stop when it’s the only way to enchant.”

 

“He may have been right in his protest,” said Nora, seeing from his expression that Gestor did not agree. “I have come by some knowledge lately about soul trapping and enchanting that leads me to believe it’s evil.”

 

Brelyna looked stricken that someone she respected had just called the heart of her studies evil. Nora thought she needed to know, so she didn’t engage in activities that she would regret later.

 

“Who gave you this knowledge?” asked Gestor, his voice sounding a little angry.

 

“An Altmer mage who is fighting the Thalmor. He showed me how to release souls from Black Soul Gems. I performed that myself on a number of gems, and watched as the grateful souls walked away to the afterlife they should have gone to in the first place. And he told me other things about the souls that were used in enchanting. The nub of the soul survives, the part with the memories and personality, and goes to a hellish part of Oblivion called the Soul Cairn, where they are forced to serve immortal beings for eternity.”

 

“That’s not what we’ve been told,” said Brelyna, her expression one of illness. “I thought the remainder of the soul went off to the afterlife of their people.”

 

“That’s exactly what happens,” said Gestor, violently shaking his head. “Not the fairy tale this Altmer fed you.”

 

And it threatens your view of the universe, though Nora, looking into the eyes of the man. Threatens your image of yourself. “Look. I was also told that animals have no afterlife, their energy going back to a central store to be used in new lives. So they’re still fair game.”

 

“Go talk to Falion if you want to pursue this subject,” said Gestor, still shaking his head. “He was working on a spell to strip the soul energy from an enchanted object, though I’m not sure what good it will do.”

 

Gestor walked away, obviously not wanting to hear any more blasphemy. Brelyna was still shocked, but willing to listen to someone she respected.

 

“But, animals don’t have enough power,” she protested. “Well, maybe mammoths, but they are too dangerous to go after. And there aren’t enough of them.”

 

Nora hoped that mages wouldn’t go after the big primitive elephants. She had always liked pachyderms, and would hate to see them go extinct on this world as well.

 

“Look,” said Nora, taking the girl’s hands in hers. “You’re a bright young woman. Maybe you can find a solution. Some way to combine animal souls into one container that is powerful enough to enchant something major.”

 

“I don’t know,” said the younger mage.

 

“Do it. Because when I have all this other stuff behind me, I will do everything I can to stop this practice. No man or mer, or beast race, should have to suffer an afterlife they don’t deserve.”

 

Nora turned away, hoping that her young friend would do the right thing. Everyone knew that necromancers were evil, at least most of them. And many of the people of Skyrim already considered soul trapping evil in all of its forms. They called it Soul Raping, and from what Nora knew, that phrase was as accurate as any.

 

The Dragonborn opened the door to the Archmage’s quarters with her key, then cat footed it up the steps. The sounds of people making love came to her ears, and she started to wonder about the wisdom of coming in here.

 

Well, I’m here, she thought, taking a seat behind the Archmage’s desk. I’m too tense to leave, so I might as well wait. She was kind of surprised that she wasn’t feeling horny hearing the two go at it, but then she had fucked a Goddess the night before, so it might be some time before she felt like she needed sex. She put her head down on the desk, just wanting to rest her eyes.

 

“A voyeur now?” asked a female voice.

 

Nora opened her eyes with a start, to see the naked form of Faralda standing at the head of the desk. The Altmer was lovely, like most of her kind, and was very unselfconscious of her nudity. Tolfdir walked up to stand beside her, as naked as she, handing his lover a glass of wine.

 

“Sorry,” said an embarrassed Nora, her face flushing. “I, just had to see the both of you. I have the book completed, Master Faralda. And the dragon heartscales, Archmage Tolfdir.”

 

“Then I guess we should get some clothes on, dear,” said Faralda, running the back of her hand over the Archmage’s cheek. “I doubt our new master is interested in us taking her to bed.”

 

“I might be interested later,” said Nora in a rush, not wanting to insult them by turning down an invitation.

 

“But not now,” said Tolfdir with a laugh. “You have spells to learn, and to a mage there is nothing more exciting than new spells. Why don’t you give me the heartscales so I can prepare the potion, while Faralda gives you the marks of a Destruction Master.”

 

Tolfdir hurried off into another room, the alchemy chamber of the quarters, while Faralda took a seat on the other side of the desk.

 

“So, how are things between you?”

 

“You heard, I assume,” said the Altmer mage, smiling. “We are getting along splendidly. I doubt we will ever be in love, but not that wasn’t what we wanted, or needed. Someone to keep us warm on cold nights, and push us to pleasure.”

 

“You don’t think he will ever love you?”

 

“He still had you on his mind,” said Faralda with a lopsided smile. “Not your fault. You are as you are. But Tolfdir had sought the path of wisdom, accepting what he has. And he doesn’t call out your name, so I’m fine with it.”

 

Nora loved the pragmatism of the Altmer Master. She had never been able to fall in love with anyone after Nate, so she fully understood.

 

“Now, about your spells.” Faralda reached under the desk and pulled out a backpack.

 

“I learned the improved version of Fire Storm after reading the book,” said Nora.

 

“Then these two will come in handy,” said Faralda, hauling two tomes from the pack and plopping them on the desk. “Blizzard is the cold equivalent of Fire Storm, but it also damages the stamina of the target. While Lightning Storm is more of a concentration spell, letting your fire a constant stream of high-powered electricity into targets. Those two, complementing Fire Storm, give you an answer to any type of flying scaly beast you might be fighting.” Faralda shuddered for a moment. “Better you than me there, dear.”

 

Nora had to agree with the Altmer. She didn’t want the people of Skyrim to have to battle dragons. Someone had to, and she seemed fated.

 

“And now for some other options,” said Faralda, pulling more tomes from the pack. “Apocalypse summons three ghostly allies, casting flames, frostbite and sparks, covering all your bases. Finger of the Mountain electrifies nearby enemies and lowers their resistance to electricity.  Flamestrike brings down a line of meteors from the heavens to strike your foes in a line extending from you. Forbidden Sun calls up a large ball of elemental fire that both burns enemies and lowers their fire resistance. While Spinning Orb summons a large ball of cold that throws out ice spikes. Howling Blast lets you send a blast of icy wind at your enemies, harming them and lowering their cold resistance. And then we have Static Dome, which summons a ball of electricity that moves to your enemies, shocking them while lowering their shock resistance.”

 

“These are all amazing, Faralda,” said Nora, almost shaking with excitement. It was like being given a gatling laser, a power fist and a fat man at the same time. This was power. Maybe more than she should have had, but what she wanted.

 

“Then you will find these three even more amazing.” Faralda pulled three final tomes from the pack and laid them on top of the others. “First we have Twister.”

 

“Twister, as in a tornado?” asked an excited Nora. That could be even more powerful than a Fatman.

 

“Exactly. And I must caution you on this one. You can destroy a city with this, if used unwisely. But it should make a dragon go running. The second one is Volcano, which does exactly what the name suggests. You won’t be able to call up a copy of Red Mountain, but it will still damage the area around it, so be careful. And now, the one I think will be of the most use against dragons. Cyclonic Rift. Similar to Twister, but a bit different as well. It creates a storm portal in the air that pulls everything close by inside, causing a lot of damage. If you cast a second, the target will be warped back and forth between the two, damaging it with each cycle.”

 

“Wow. How long do these spells last? What kind of damage?”

 

“Questions I really can’t answer,” said Faralda with a laugh. “It depends on the mage, on their magicka reserves. I would think with a mage like you these would be quite powerful. But you will only find out in the casting. I suggest you spend some time out in the icy wastes casting them to find out. It’s important to find the range, and the area of effect, before you start sending them out in battle. Especially if you don’t want to hurt your own people.”

 

“Okay. I can do that.”

 

“One other thing. I know you want to absorb all of these spells at once, but I wouldn’t try to learn more than three a day. Including the spells Tolfdir will give you. More and you risk an overload.”

 

“Okay. Three a day, practice, and get plenty of rest.”

 

“Good. Now, just do it that way.”

 

“How much do I owe you for these treasures?”

 

“Nothing,” said Faralda, shrugging her shoulders. “And before you protest, you have done so much for us and the College. If not for you, Ancano would have destroyed the College. Probably the entire world, and unlike some of my kind, I do not want to see Nirn destroyed. So not a word. Just use them to protect us from the World Eater and his kind.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

“All done?” asked Tolfdir, walking up with a steaming potion in hand.

 

“She’s ready for your wonders, dear,” said Faralda with a laugh, getting up from her chair and making room for Tolfdir.

 

“First, drink this. Final test. I don’t know how bad it tastes, since I advanced the old-fashioned way, but you need to swallow it down.”

 

“I feel kind of guilty taking a shortcut,” said Nora, taking the potion.

 

“Don’t. You need this magic, and you did fulfill the quest. So, bottoms up.”

 

Nora gagged as she swallowed the potion. It smelled awful and tasted worse. She should have known since the main ingredient was dragon scales. She forced it down, feeling like it was going to come back up for a moment, wondering if it was actually doing anything. Then the surge struck, and all thought of vomiting fled from her mind. Her body felt energized, and the Omnipresence spell given her by the Psijics unlocked in her mind, giving her the, untested, ability to teleport long range.

 

“You will find that you have other abilities over time,” said Tolfdir. “Abilities that will benefit you and your followers. Now, to the spells I have to offer. Same deal as Faralda. You’ve done so much for this world, and promise to do so much more. And you can take the Archmage position if you want as well.”

 

“No thanks,” said Nora, shaking her head. “It’s yours as long as you want it.”

 

“Very well.” He reached into his bag and pulled out a number of tomes, setting them on the desk beside the ones Faralda had put there. “Acceleration Rune is much like any other, but when your enemy steps on it, they are flung away at great speed. When they strike something on the way they probably won’t survive. Next is Battletide, which steals armor from your opponents and gives it to you. Hethoth’s Grimoire summons a spell tome that cast the spell you have in your other hand over and over. Malvisor’s Gauntlet uses telekinesis to hold an enemy in front of you until it dies, or the spell runs out. Sotha’s Maelstrom emits a radiation that takes the magic resistance from enemies. Talons of Nirn skewers your enemies with rock spikes from the ground. And Thrumming Stone sets up a field that emits tremors to stagger your opponents every six seconds.”

 

“Thank you, Archmage.” Nora felt a little underwhelmed by the Master Level spells of Alteration as compared to the ones she had gotten from Faralda. She could see some uses for them, but none seemed to be a go to spell.

 

“I can tell you are a little disappointed, so prepare your mind for wonders.” Tolfrid pulled three more tomes from the bag and set them down. “First we have Milestones, which let you place up to five teleportation portals that allow anyone using them to teleport to any other portal. You might not need them with the Psijic spell, but you might want to establish a network for others to use. But this one will definitely come in handy. Wind Running. It lets you run through the air and not take any damage from falling.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Really. I’ve used it a few times myself. It scared me half to death, running from one mountain peak to another, but it works. Which brings us to the real prize. Control Weather.”

 

“Master Tolfdir. Wouldn’t that spell make you a God?”

 

“Not quite,” said the laughing master. “While it does allow you to change the weather, making a storm clear, or a blizzard come out of nowhere, it has limited range. Maybe a couple of miles in each direction, but it is immensely powerful for all that.”

 

“Thank you, Archmage,” squealed Nora, on her feet, coming around the table and wrapping the old man in a tight hug.

 

“You are very strong, my dear,” said Tolfdir in a choking voice.

 

“Sorry. I’m just so overwhelmed.”

 

“Now remember, my dear, the cautions of Faralda. And remember, being a master of four schools will make you the most powerful mage since Shalidor. In time even more powerful. So use some wisdom when using them.”

 

“I will. And thank you again.”

 

Faralda came back into the room with a tray of snacks and three goblets of wine. “Now, let’s have a celebration for the new Master of Four Schools. You know, when I saw the Nord warrior approach the school I never thought you would progress to this stage, and so fast,” said Faralda.

 

The Dragonborn remembered that day, when she was starting on a path she hoped would aid her, make her mighty. She had had no idea how far she would go. Nora ate a few of the snacks, drank a couple of goblets of wine, but was too excited to think about food.

 

“The offer stands to share our bed tonight,” said Faralda with a smile.

 

“Offer accepted,” said Nora, as much to show her gratitude as to share good company.

 

Soon the three were naked on the huge bed in the Archmage’s quarters, both women working on Tolfdir’s cock as he moaned his pleasure. From there it went to Tolfdir and Nora licking and probing at Faralda’s genitals, driving her through multiple orgasms. Next it was Nora’s turn, and she cried out her pleasure as the experienced lovers worked on her. Finally, she rode Tolfdir’s dick as Faralda sat his face, all giving and receiving pleasure.

 

“Be careful,” said a sleepy Faralda, lying beside a snoring Tolfdir. “And have fun.”

 

Nora smiled as she gathered up the tomes and headed out of the quarters. As soon as she was outside she cast teleport, appearing just outside the Heathfire Inn. She was tempted to try the Omnipresence spell, but wanted to be in armor and armed beforehand, just in case.

 

“How did it go?” asked Eldawyn, looking up from where she was sitting at the table. She was slurring her speech, and Nora wondered what had driven her to drink so much tonight. Well, her friend had told her that she liked to drink, whether possessed or not, so Nora left it at that.

 

“I’ve got the Master Level spells of the other two schools,” said Nora. “And I was told that other abilities would manifest over time.”

 

“So now you are the physical manifestation of Shalidor. I am so jealous.”

 

“Don’t be. It comes with a price. Or so I have been told.”

 

“Maybe. But what mage wouldn’t be willing to pay that price. Perhaps you can give me some training now.”

 

“I would be glad to. But first I want to test out this Omnipresence spell.”

 

Nora went to her room and put on her armor, belting on Dawnbreaker and adjusting her buckler on her left arm. She was planning on teleporting to safe places only, but she had learned in the past that when dealing with teleporting it paid to be ready to land anyplace. It wouldn’t do to appear in a bandit hideout in robes with no weapons. Since she was her deadliest weapon it would probably come out bad for the bandits, but it was best to have every bit of protection she could carry.

 

Visualizing Valkyrya Whiterun Castle in her mind, she cast the Omnipresence spell. Her room faded and she felt herself floating for just an instant, before her feet came down hard on the stones of the armory of the castle.

 

“My Thane,” said the woman who tended the forge, as if her employer appearing out of nowhere was the most natural sight in the world.

 

“How is everything?” she asked, then visualized the courtyard of the Blue Palace and said the spell again. This time when she landed she felt drained of magicka. I better take a little bit of a break before I cast it again, she thought. An hour should do it.

 

“Could you please announce me to the Jarl,” she told the guard who had hurried over when she appeared.

 

“Yes, my Thane. Of course. And where did you come from?”

 

“Valkyrja Castle in Whiterun,” she told the man, smiling and watching as he gasped.

 

“Tell the Jarl that Thane Nora is here,” he told the other guard. He turned back to Nora. “If you would wait a moment, I’m sure a servant will be sent out to escort you in.”

 

“I know the way.”

 

“I’m sorry, my Lady. We are under orders from Steward Falk Firebeard to escort all visitors to and from the palace.”

 

“What’s going on, Captain?”

 

“We have word that Erikur may have assassins in the city,” said the worried looking man. “The Court Wizard insists on inspecting everyone before they enter the presence of the Jarl.”

 

I should have killed that bastard while I had a chance, thought Nora, grimacing. She had hated him from the start, her character judgement good as always. But they hadn’t learned the true treachery of the man until Nora had discovered that he had hired the Dark Brotherhood to assassinate her.

 

Sybille came hurrying out of the palace, took one look at Nora, and turned on the guard captain. “Of course that is her. There’s no one else in Skyrim who looks like her. Good thing she didn’t get mad at you, or I might be looking over the ashes that would be all that remained of you.”

 

“I would never do that, Captain,” said Nora quickly, seeing the stricken look on the man’s face. She let a small smile play across her face. “I might set your feet on fire, but nothing further.”

 

The two laughed all the way into the palace, the vampire mage actually taking Nora’s arm in hers. “Did you achieve your goals at the College?”

 

“Master of four schools, though I’m not sure I deserve those titles. But I control spells of that level. Or I will when I practice them enough to be comfortable casting them.”

 

“You are a wise woman, Nora,” said Sybille, nodding. “Many mages only worry about what they can do, and not the effect what they do will have on others.”

 

“Nora,” squealed Elisif, coming down the stairs and wrapping the Dragonborn in a tight hug. “What’s the occasion? And where are your people?”

 

“They’re still back in Winterhold,” she said, looking into the beautiful face of the woman called the fair.

 

“Tell me you didn’t travel here all by yourself,” said Elisif, a concerned looked crossing her face. “I know you are formidable, but you shouldn’t take such risks. Even if you aren’t in any place for long.”

 

“I teleported here directly from my castle outside of Whiterun, Elisif,” said Nora, the excitement of what she had done bubbling out. “I teleported from Winterhold to there as well.”

 

“You unlocked the long-range teleport spell?”

 

“Yep. I’m a Master of Alteration and Destruction now.”

 

“Unprecedented,” said Sybille, patting Nora on the back. “The reincarnation of Shalidor.”

 

“How long will you be staying?” asked Elisif.

 

“Only an hour or so. Enough time to rest up and teleport back to Winterhold.” Nora held up a hand when Elisif started to protest. “I will come back in a couple of days for a longer visit, if you want me to.”

 

“I always want you to visit. I just wish you could stay longer before going back to the College.”

 

The trio took seats around a table in a small room, while servants brought in snacks and wine.

 

“So, what are your plans now that you are essentially the Archmage?” asked Sybille.

 

“Tolfdir is the Archmage,” said Nora, shaking her head. “I still don’t think I deserve that title, no matter what the Psijic’s said.”

 

“Tolfdir is a Master of one school, dear,” said Sybille, smiling. “In fact, the only College faculty member in recent memory who was master of more than one school was Mirabelle, and she died at the hands of Ancano. So, if you aren’t qualified, who is?”

 

“I have other things to do, Sybille. In fact, the Goddess told me my showdown with Alduin was coming, and soon. But first I need to talk with the leader of the Greybeards to find out about some shout that was said to pull the World Eater out of the sky thousands of years ago.”

 

“Who is the leader of the Greybeards?” asked Elisif. “And why do I sense a note of trepidation in your voice when you mention them.”

 

Nora took a swallow of wine to steady her nerves. “The Greybeards don’t seem to care about what happens to this world, as long as they follow the Way of the Voice. They would prefer I follow it as well, but the Blades I have met think they are naive. And I’m afraid that if Arngeir discovers I’ve been listening to the Blades he will become terribly angry. So I might have to request a meeting with the real leader of the Greybeards, said to live alone at the top of the mountain.”

 

“And you are going to present your beautiful form to a man who has probably not seen a woman in decades,” said a chuckling Elisif. “The height of cruelty.”

 

“Who is their leader?” asked Sybiile.

 

“They mentioned his name once. Paarthunax, or something like that. It doesn’t sound like a Nord name.”

 

“No,” said Elisif, shaking her head. “It doesn’t. I’ve not heard a name like that even in Cyrodiil.”

 

“That’s where you are from, right?”

 

“Born and raised. Pure blooded Nord, but my mother and father moved there before I was born. So even though I’m an outsider, I’m also a Nord, though not given to the prejudices of many of them.”

 

“I’ll try to get you some information on this Paarthunax before you go back to High Hrothgar,” said Sybille, looking into the air. “I’m curious as well as to why he has to live by himself up there. It’s isolated enough as it is.”

 

“Thanks. I appreciate all the help you have given me.”

 

“And we appreciated your help as well,” said the Jarl. “You’ve heard about Erikur?”

 

“You want me to track him down and send him to Oblivion?”

 

“If you could,” said Elisif. “But I’m afraid the Penitus Oculotus is in a better position to track him. No, we are having problems in the region of the hold on the border with High Rock. A very large dragon and some unruly Forsworn. And I don’t have the people to go after them.”

 

“Then when I get some proficiency with my new spells under my belt, I’ll go and put paid to your trouble.  Good enough?”

 

“Very,” said Elisif as servants brought in trays of food.

 

“You really didn’t have to go to all this trouble,” said Nora, shaking her head.

 

“Turning down a meal now?” asked a smiling Elisif.

 

“Not on your life,” said Nora, eying the platters of meat, potatoes and vegetables. Traditional Nord fare, and food she had come to love.

 

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