ARYA NAPPED IN CHAIR BY THE FIRE, BUT WAS TORMENTED BY WITNESSING THE RETURN OF THE NIGHT KING. She dreamed that she was once again in his grasp and this time, did not have her Valyrian dagger to save her. As the Night King prepared to break her neck she awoke and found a young girl with hair much like Daenerys's looking at her closely. Arya was surprised to see a massive sword slung across her back and a shorter silver one on her hip. Behind her was another woman with dark hair, her arms crossed and an expression of disappointment on her face.

"If this is Lydia's replacement, she's a poor housecarl" the girl said to the woman

"You might want to check your thigh" Arya answered.

The girl looked down and found herself looking at a Valyrian dagger, ready to cut the artery.

"I was trained by Syrio Forel to handle a blade and assassination" Arya said confidently.

"And I was trained at Kaer Morhen" the silver haired girl answered calmly.

Arya's shifted slightly in her seat at recognizing the name of the Witcher fortress. In response she dug the dagger deeper into the girl's leg.

"Did Ulfric or the Night King send you" Arya said and followed with "answer quickly."

"We came because Brianna Dovahkiir is in need of counsel" the girl replied.

"Ciri, you just wanted to visit Brianna the finest swordsman in Skyrim" the dark haired woman said.

At the top of the stair, the Dragonborn heard the conversation and looked at the two female intruders and smiled. It had been five years since he had had last seen them and it was good to see them. It was unfortunate that Geralt couldn't make the journey, but the Dovahkiin understood the troubles the Witcher was going through and hoped that he would be fine. Picking up an apple, he threw it at Ciri and the new Witcher caught it without looking at the incoming missile.

"You could have sent us a message before you came" the Dragonborn said from the top of the stairs. "Good to see you Yennefer and look at you Ciri. A Witcher!"

"And spoiled the fun of a break in" Yennefer joked laughing. Ciri bounded up the stairs and wrapped her arms around the Dragonborn, nearly knocking him over. Hearing the door open, both Brianna and Jon walked in, her new ebony Akaviri katana having been just been completed on her hip. Jon stopped unsure whether the two were hostile, his hand slowly drifting to the hilt of Longclaw. But, the Dragonborn's and Brianna's reaction to the home invasion made him realize that they were friend not foe.

"Yen! Ciri" Brianna cried as she embraced her old friends. "By the Nine Ciri, you're a Witcher! I'm so proud of you. We might make an Akaviri Knight of you yet" Brianna teased.

Ciri half heartedly punched Brianna in the shoulder "Come to Kaer Morhen and see if you can pass the trials."

"I'd rather eat the spoiled meat of a troll" Brianna answered.

"I see you have guests Dovahkiin" Yennefer spoke.

"I'm sorry. Introductions. Yen, Ciri" the Dragonborn motioned in Jon and Arya's direction "this is Arya Stark and Jon Snow of Westeros. Arya, Jon this is Yennefer and Ciri of the Northern Kingdoms."

"Jon Snow. The famed Night Watch commander and Arya Stark, brother of the king of Westeros" Yennefer bowed "pleased to meet you."

Jon extended his hand which Yennefer took "A pleasure to meet one of the great sorceress's of the world" he replied.

"What brings you to Skyrim Yen" the Dragonborn asked.

"A week ago I received Brianna's letter and felt that a letter would not suffice. To have one of the oldest Orders of mages offer to teach you magic is truly an honor. For centuries the Brotherhood has tried and failed to have exchange programs with the Psijic's. Even our most powerful mages were denied entry. I myself am a quarter Elf and was turned away."

"They told me I couldn't defeat Ulfric without learning to use my abilities" Brianna spoke.

"I suspect it is because of your blood is the reason they offered to teach you. Brianna, you have the blood of a Maiar flowing in your veins. In terms of strength, a Maiar is just shy of the Valar. Queen Melian defended Doriath with her magic alone until she refused to help her husband Thingol. Melian had a daughter named Luthien who married Beren and passed her blood into man. So somewhere in your family, your mother is related to someone who is of that bloodline."

"So you think I should accept their invitation" Brianna questioned.

"Absolutely. But be warned, that magic comes with a price. Especially a magic as powerful as that of the First Age of Arda. Few understood the power of that magic. Perhaps you should speak with Queen Arwen. Her father Lord Elrond was born during the First Age and she herself is of the Noldor bloodline. She is over two thousand years old after all" Yennefer answered.

"How long will the training last" the Dragonborn wanted to know.

"Until she is ready. She will become more than just an Akaviri Knight. She will be something different."

"I guess papa the only way to defeat Ulfric is to become a battle mage. Enough talk of magic. Tell us Ciri, what adventures have you had so far."

Later that evening after a meal of salmon, drink, tales and laughter, Yennefer and Ciri returned to the Northern Kingdoms. Brianna had informed Daenerys and the Dovahkiin of her decision to learn from the Psijic's. Jon watched as Brianna packed her belongings, a Psijic monk seemingly materialized out of thin air. Magic disturbed the Night Watch commander for all his dealings with it were not pleasant save being brought back from the dead. Brianna kissed her father and Daenerys goodbye and left with the monk. Jon could see the pained expression on the Dragonborn's face as he watched his daughter leave.

"She'll be alright – she's a trained Akaviri" he tried to reassure his friend.

"I've had dealings with the Psijic's in the past when they installed me as Arch-Mage. Later I resigned because I couldn't deal with all of their interference" the Dragonborn replied taking a drink of ale.

Deciding to change the subject "If I had known that you were surrounded by so many beautiful women, I would have come to Skyrim a long time ago" Jon responded. "Are you sure Yennefer is over one hundred?"

The Dovahkiin choked and laughed at the joke. "I'm not blind Jon. I see the way you look at Brianna. In order to win her heart, you are going to have to perform a deed that goes beyond comparison. Young Talion ran up to his father and wrapped his arms around him and the Dragonborn scooped him up.

"Why did Auntie Yen have go away father" the young boy asked.

"Because she had other duties Talion. But don't worry. Uncle Geralt and Aunt Yen will come back."

As everyone went to bed, the Dragonborn and Daenerys read the letter that Yennefer had slipped him:

Dovahkiin,

In the event that Geralt doesn't recover and I suffer an untimely death, I ask you that you look after young Ciri. She is quite capable, but untested. She will need your assistance in she is to retake the throne of Cintra. Perhaps when the time is right when she chooses to reclaim the throne, please aid her. Having powerful allies as yourself and the former queen of Westeros will help her in the quest. If the Akaviri could spare a few Knights to help her defeat the Nilfgaardian's would go a long way as well.

Lastly, I am entrusting you with knowledge that few know about her. Ciri has Elder blood in her which I suspect that she may be distantly related to Brianna. There is something special about the bond between the two young women and I foresee that the two are destined for greatness. I can only hope that Geralt will recover and see what Ciri will become.

Affectionately Your Friend,

Yennefer

Daenerys looked at the fire and leaned back in her seat and sighed. "This changes everything. Brianna related to Ciri?"

"Your right Dany. I pray that we live long enough to see it through" the Dragonborn answered quietly. "Let's go to bed."