JON FOUND BRIANNA HAMMERING AN EBONY INGOT SHAPING THE METAL INTO THE TRADITIONAL SHAPE OF AN AKAVIRI KATANA. Jon was not at all surprised that Brianna knew metal work. Both her father and stepmother were accomplished smiths, but Jon noticed during the fight with the Balrog her eyes changed color. He suspected that like her father the Dragonborn, that magic ran in her blood. Either that the current Dragonborn wasn't the only one who could wield the power of the Thu'um. As he watched her work away on her new weapon, he couldn't help but notice her well toned arms as she hammered away. Brianna caught him looking at her and he quickly looked the other way.
"Can I help you Jon?"
"Do you possess any magical abilities?"
"Not to my knowledge. Why do you ask?"
"During the fight with the Balrog, your eyes changed color briefly."
"Magic runs strongly in my family so it wouldn't surprise me that I might be able to cast a few spells, but nothing like my father or the Istari" Brianna said continuing to pound away on the ebony ore.
"Perhaps you should investigate and see if you can summon any abilities" changing the subject he added "any news on Arya" Jon still concerned about his friend.
"No news. Not even the Nightingales have been able to locate her" Daenerys answered joining the conversation. "I would have thought that you would have left for Westeros."
"Not until I find my friend" Jon responded.
"I admire your dedication to her safety, but Arya can protect herself" Daenerys told him.
"She fared poorly in her fight against Brianna."
"And Brianna is trained Akaviri Knight and master swordsman" Brianna countered.
"You're quite skilled yourself Daenerys" Jon added as a portal opened before the three and the hammer dropped from Brianna's hand, her mouth open in shock. Brianna dropped her head and bowed in respect.
"It is an honor to be visited by a Psijic" Brianna could only say in a quaking voice.
"Where is your father" the Psijic demanded
"He's discussing the slain Balrog with the jarl."
"I have news that he needs to hear. It concerns Ulfric Stormcloak."
"What about Ulfric" Brianna said with venom in her voice, her hatred for the man clear and palpable.
"His suspicions concerning Ulfric becoming the new Dark Lord are correct, but that is not all. Ulfric is seeking the Eye of Magnus and the Silmarils."
"But why would Ulfric want the Silmarils. Not even he could contend with the power of Morgoth a former Valar" Jon protested.
"Ulfric seeks to harness their power to destroy the Dovahkiin, but what he doesn't realize is that an even greater power resides in Tamriel" motioning toward Daenerys the Psijic continued "your son Talion is destined for the throne."
"My son will not sit on the throne of Westeros" Daenerys snarled. "My quest for the Iron throne nearly destroyed me and I don't want it for him."
"Young Talion is destined for the throne of Westeros and Tamriel. The Dragonborn Emperor will reign in the future."
"What do you mean 'Dragonborn Emperor'" Jon asked.
"Daenerys's husband and son are direct descendants of Tiber Septim and so are his other two children. But they have chosen the path of the Akaviri, but young Talion will unite the people's of Westeros and Tamriel during the time of 'Three Dark Lords' where the new Dragonborn will rise and usher in a new age. The blood of the Dovah flows in their veins" the Psijic looked at Brianna "magic runs strongly in you and you must learn to harness that power if you wish to defeat Ulfric. We can give you the necessary skills to beat him and his servants."
"My husband hunted down and destroyed the dragons of Tamriel with Geralt of Rivia. The last surviving dragon, Odahviing swore to serve him" Daenerys said to the Psijic.
"A new dragon has risen - one from the First Age of Arda. One that is even greater than Alduin. He is a fire-drake of Morgoth . . . Ancalagon the Black" the Psijic replied.
Daenerys recognized the name of the dragon and Jon could see the terror in her eyes. Daenerys who once controlled three dragons chiefly the fearsome Drogon, but the mere name of this Ancalagon was enough to frighten her. If it was enough to scare her, it was cause for concern.
"Who was Ancalagon" Jon asked.
"It was said that Ancalagon drove back the armies of the Valar when they laid siege to Angband and that he was a large as the tallest mountain. It took Earendil and the great Lord of Eagles Thorondor to defeat him. But we now know that only a dragonborn can truly slay a dragon" Daenerys explained to Jon "and my husband will strike down this foe of Middle-earth and Tamriel."
"No he will not" the Psijic answered "Your husband's future is clouded and his road dark and difficult to see" turning his attention back to Brianna "what is your answer Akaviri? Will you learn to use the powers you were gifted? You have the potential to become one of the most powerful mages the world has seen."
"How long would I be gone" Brianna wanted to know.
"Until your training is complete" the Psijic simply answered.
"Without magic, am I strong enough to defeat Ulfric?"
"No, but your father did not know your mother's secret" the Psijic said cryptically.
Brianna stepped forward fury in her eyes her hands gripping the handle of the war axe that hung on her belt "My mother was a pure woman and had no secrets" she said with anger rising in her voice "and to insinuate that she was anything less, you risk your life Psijic!"
"Your mother's blood was mixed with that of the great Queen Melian of Doriath. The magic in your blood remained dormant until Sauron resurfaced. There are no Istari left to teach you, but we are familiar with the magic of that era."
"My mother was from Middle-earth?"
"No, but an ancestor of hers was. She kept this truth hidden for Ysolda knew that if it was known that the blood of a Maia flowed in her veins, she would have been an outcast."
"Let me think on this, I must consult a friend of mine. She would have sound advice."
"Who is your friend" the Psijic wanted to know.
"Yennefer of Vengerberg" Brianna answered.
ARYA WAS FRUSTRATED AT ULFRIC'S DELAYS BELIEVING THEM TO BE ACTS OF COWARDICE. But since learning that he was searching for the legendary Silmarils to harness their power to destroy the Dragonborn, she reluctantly agreed. The Dovahkiin was a powerful demigod and had beaten opponents more powerful than him like Alduin and Sauron. Ulfric wanted every weapon available in his arsenal and if a jewel that contained that much power could be controlled or altered to destroy both him and Daenerys, then Arya accepted the Dark Lord's judgment. His mastery over dark magic both impressed and terrified her. Not even the dreaded Night King's power could hope to match the servant of Sauron.
As Arya walked into the courtyard of Skuldafn Temple, she noticed Ulfric holding his sword against the throat of a thrall. Its black blade slowly cutting the throat of its newest victim. Arya had learned that the weapon had once belonged to the feared Black Hand of Sauron. Ulfric began reciting some incantation in the language of Mordor than even Arya found disturbing. The air turned cold and became difficult to breath. Ulfric looked to the sky and finished the incantation and what he said sent chills up her spine.
"Come to me Night King"
Ulfric had legions of White Walkers, Draugr and former disillusioned Stormcloaks under his control. Arya watched in horror as the Night King slowly rematerialized in a cloud of fire and bent his knee to the Dark Lord. Ulfric's eyes flared as his newest servant pledged his loyalty to him.
"You will lead my armies into war against the Dovahkiin and you will destroy him. But first you will kill his wife and child. You know his wife well . . . Daenerys Targaryen. While you lead my armies, I want you to locate the lost Silmarils for they shall be a symbol of my rule when I sit on throne of Tamriel."
"Yes my Lord" the Night King answered. "And what of Westeros."
"Westeros belongs to my Master Sauron and his Lord Melkor" Ulfric answered.
Arya's stomach turned as she realized she had been tricked into believing a lie. She quickly gathered up her belongings and quietly exited Skuldafn. She needed to warn Jon, Daenerys and the Dragonborn before it was too late. But secretly she feared that her poor choices would bring the doom of the all.