CIRI AND BRIANNA STALKED THE DEER ON THE PLAINS ON SKYRIM. Ciri had never hunted wild game a day in her life and Brianna decided to take her on a hunt. During her training at Kaer Morhen she was taught how, but Ciri never spent a day hunting game for food. The young Witcher seemed to be enjoying herself and the cool crisp fall morning. As Brianna readied an ebony arrow in her Daedric bow, the stag they were stalking seemed to be aware of a predator. It was alert and bolted into the woods before Brianna could fire her arrow. Brianna silently cursed their luck and hoped they it wasn't a bear that spooked their prey. Instead, Brianna watched in horror as the Night King emerged from the wood line – Aeglos in one hand and his sword in other. His eyes betrayed the rage he felt and the two women could sense the hatred in his soul. Ciri immediately drew her silver sword and Brianna shouldered her bow and drew her new ebony Akaviri katana she had forged. Both women assumed defensive stances and readied for combat.
"The last time we met Witcher, you caught me off guard. This time we meet on equal terms" the Night King said. "My quarrel is not with you today daughter of the Dragonborn. Hand the Witcher over to me and I shall spare your life."
"That is an offer I must refuse" Brianna snarled. "You may have bested my brother at Rivendell, but you'll find my skills far exceed his" the Akaviri Knight said in a final retort, her blade parrying the Night King's assault. The Night King had expected an easy victory over Brianna, but found to his dismay that her swordplay was the deadliest he had ever encountered. He had initially thought he her weaker, but instead found her unusually strong. To make matters worse, Cirilla attacked his left flank and he was forced retreat. The Night King expected a mystical attack from the Psijic trained Akaviri, but was impressed that she kept the fight to swords. Taking a few steps backward, the Night King raised his sword in salute.
"You honor me by keeping this contest grounded by our knowledge of swordplay. I will take pleasure in turning you into my deadliest servant Dovahkiir" the Night King taunted.
"You have no right to call me by that name" Brianna screamed pointing her katana at their foe. "I will cut you down for that" she continued to yell her calm demeanor now an unruly storm.
"Cousin" Ciri said laying her hand on one of her last blood relative's shoulder trying to calm Brianna down. "Let me fight this battle. Your destiny lay with Ulfric. Let me educate this so-called king" Ciri mocked.
"Educate me" the Night King replied insulted by the Witcher. Rearing back, he threw Aeglos at the lion cub of Cintra with more speed and strength than when he slew Viserion at the Battle of Wintefell. Expecting the spear of Gil-Galad to impale his foe, the Night King was shocked when Ciri reacted with unnatural speed and deflected the incoming missile, redirecting it into the ground. The Witcher gave him a smirk and charged, her silver blade crossing his and once again he felt the augmented power of the young woman. The battle was wild and savage and on equal terms, however he sensed the inexperience of the girl. Feinting a lunge, he instead attacked low and was surprised when Ciri blocked his weapon with her boot. Her elbow smashed into his nose and she snapped a kick that connected with his jaw that sent him back peddling. Gesturing with her hand, Ciri then struck the Night King with a telekinetic attack that sent him flying into a tree. Believing that she could end the Night King, Ciri rushed forward not seeing the clawed hand reaching up to turn her. Instead, a torrent of lightning struck the Night King causing him to cry out in pain. Ciri then watched as Brianna used her powers to pin him against the tree and his sword flew from his hand into her cousin's.
"Thanks for having my back" Ciri said to Brianna. "Today is the day you stay dead" Ciri said raising her silver blade, preparing to decapitate the Night King.
"Not yet" Brianna roared. "First, I have questions that need answering."
The Night King laughed as a host of Dremora Kynreeve emerged from the tree line.
"Did you really believe I would face you alone" he asked a smile crossing his lips.
To her horror, Brianna noticed that instead of red eyes, all of the Daedra had the blue eyes of White Walkers and were under the control of the Night King. Releasing the Night King, Brianna began reciting an incantation in Quenya while advancing on the charging Daedra. Ciri, listening to the incantation her eyes flew wide at hearing the High Elven language of Arda. She had no idea that her cousin had learned the language of the Eldar. Very few recognized the language and even fewer spoke it – Queen Arwen and her husband Aragorn and the Brotherhood of Sorcerers to name a few. Looking at the horde of Daedra, Brianna switched over to the common tongue harkening back to the words of Gandalf the Grey.
"You cannot pass" Brianna screamed raising her sword, its blade began turning a brilliant hue of flame. "I am the last servant of the Secret Fire and you all will fall to my blade! In the name of my father the Dovahkiin go back to Oblivion where you belong!"
Ciri looked back to the Night King and prepared to decapitate the ancient enemy of Westeros, but to her shock he had disappeared. Aeglos and his sword were nowhere to be found, apparently recovered. Sheathing her silver blade, Ciri drew her Witcher sword and joined her cousin battling the horde of Daedra turned White Walkers. Ciri watched in awe as her cousin struck down the Daedric White Walkers. But as more continued to pour out of the tree line, it became apparent that there was just too many.
"Brianna, we must leave! There are too many for the both of us" Ciri cried out as she drove her sword through the neck of a Dremora Kynreeve.
Ignoring her cousin, Brianna chanted once again in Quenya and a massive wall of white flame engulfed their enemies. Their screams carried on the morning wind and the stench of burning flesh lingered in the air. Ciri remembered that Yennefer had once done something similar and her mouth dropped in shock and the display of magical power. The Daedra either recognizing that Brianna was too powerful or were ordered to retreat, ceased their attack. Ciri walked over to her cousin who had sheathed her katana.
"Since you and I share the same blood, do you think it's possible that I can learn the same powers" Ciri asked. "And what is the 'Secret Fire?'"
"I believe so Ciri, but if you want to learn the ancient magic of Arda then you would have to renounce your claim to the throne of Cintra" Brianna replied.
"I don't understand" the young Witcher answered confused.
"A servant of the Secret Fire dedicates themselves to protecting this world from the likes of Morgoth, Sauron and now Ulfric. The Psijics told me that the Istari were put on this world to guard against their threat. And to answer your question, the 'Secret Fire' was used by Eru Iluvatar to create this world" Brianna explained.
"But you said to the Daedra that you were 'the last servant of the Secret Fire.' – why aren't there more" Ciri continued questioning.
"Because the Istari left Middle-earth over twenty years ago. Gandalf and Radagast returned to Valinor with the Elves. Saruman who betrayed the Order, was murdered by his thrall Grima Wormtongue. And Ulfric had the Psijic's killed."
"They didn't teach us much magical history at Kaer Morhen. Yennefer is helping me, but she can only do so much" Ciri told her cousin and best friend. "When I reclaim the throne of Cintra Brianna, I would very much like you to be my side. I could use an Akaviri Istari against the forces of Nilfgaard."
"It would be an honor Ciri. Come, hopefully there are still a few stags in the area. We cannot return to Sky Haven empty handed" Brianna answered with a smile.
DAENERYS AND TALION HAD TAKEN THE LONG JOURNEY TO THE COLLEGE OF WINTERHOLD AND WERE WARMLY GREETED BY BRELYNA. The Dark Elf embraced Daenerys like she was a member of her own family. Brelyna had recruited a large number of new students and the school had managed to actually heal the surrounding land of its wounds. Next to the Dragonborn, Brelyna was the most popular person in Skyrim. However, unlike the prior Arch-Mage, she forbade the study of the dark arts for she knew it led down a ruinous path. Daenerys looked at the Elf and could see that she was very beautiful and wondered why her husband had not chosen her. It couldn't be because she isn't a Nord. He married and had a child with me and I'm from Westeros Daenerys thought to herself.
"It's good to see you Daenerys. I haven't seen you since you and the Dragonborn married. So, what brings you to the College Daenerys" Brelyna wanted to know.
"My son" Daenerys answered motioning to her boy. "Brelyna, I would like you to meet Talion."
"I did not know that you and the Dragonborn had a child. Congratulations. By the Nine he even looks like his father" the Elf replied
"Brelyna, these days are perilous and our son has demonstrated an inherent gift for the Voice. Talion is Dragonborn like his father. He must be protected at all costs. The Psijics told us he is destined to sit on the throne of both the Empire and Westeros. I fear that people may seek to harm him."
The Elf lowered herself to Talion's level and looked at the young boy "your father is my closest friend. Talion, you may consider me a friend" she said. Looking up at Daenerys "when is he supposed to ascend to the throne?"
"Unknown. During the time of Three Dark Lords" Daenerys answered.
"I take it Ulfric then has ascended to Dark Lord status" Brelyna retorted with venom in her voice. "I had heard he had pledged himself to Sauron."
"Sadly yes, and his power grows every day. Ulfric resurrected the Night King - what's wrong" Daenerys said seeing Brelyna's eyes widen in alarm.
"Smoke rises from Windhelm" the Elf answered with concern in her voice.
"Ulfric" Daenerys snarled "Windhelm is under attack" looking at Brelyna she continued speaking "watch after my son. I ride to Windhelm to lead the defense."
"But Daenerys that is almost certain death" the Elf protested. "Allow me to send some of my students with you."
"If Windhelm falls, Ulfric controls northern Skyrim and that cannot be allowed to happen. It will be the Second Stormcloak War only fought with Daedric White Walkers" Daenerys replied mounting her horse.
"But it takes Valyrian steel or an enchanted blade to slay a White Walker and you have neither" Brelyna cried. "Don't throw your life away!"
"That's why I trust the training I received and the weapon of the Gravewalker" Daenerys answered patting the sword on her back the fallen Ranger had given her nearly six years ago. "Take care of my son and see to it that he finds his way back to his father should I fall" she said spurring her mount.
DAENERYS MADE HER WAY TO WINDHELM AND OBSERVED ULFRIC'S FORCES FROM THE RIDGE ABOVE. She saw powerful siege engines, legions of Daedra, former Stormcloaks, Goblins, White Walkers, Falmer, Uruks, mercenaries and even troops bearing the banner of Nilfgaard. Daenerys watched as the catapults hurled huge explosive barrels filled with oil against the armored gate and walls. The former queen of Westeros made her way through the entrance by the docks and found a scene of chaos. Dead bodies lay strewn on the street and panic-stricken soldiers fleeing as enemy shells fell like rain. One soldier ran by her crying out that the jarl was dead. Blood flowed on the cobble streets like the ocean tide. The sight reminded Daenerys of the atrocity she committed at Kings Landing and it made her sick and the wife of the Dragonborn was determined to atone for that sin. She quickly found the Captain of the Guard who was trying to rally the remaining troops and organize a last desperate defense.
"Lady Daenerys, what are you doing here" he cried. "Windhelm is under attack and it is not safe. This is no place for the wife of the Dragonborn!"
"I'm taking command of the defense Captain. What's your name" Daenerys asked.
"Jaleth my Lady. But there isn't much left. Only a handful of troops remained when they saw the Night King leading the White Walkers. Their courage left them and most abandoned their posts" he answered bitterly.
Daenerys thought about how she could lessen the bloodshed and buy time for her husband to arrive, not doubting that Brelyna had sent word to the Dragonborn. By now the Akaviri were probably marching on Windhelm, but they were at last a day's march away. She then remembered something that Jon had done and it gave her an idea.
"Captain. Send a messenger to the enemy under a flag of truce that I wish to speak to Ulfric."
"You intend to surrender the hold my Lady" Jaleth said in accusatory tone.
"On the contrary. I'm going to challenge his champion to single combat" Daenery simply answered.
"You may not have the blood of Nord, but you have the courage of one" Jaleth could only reply stunned as nearby demoralized soldiers found their courage. After the messenger left, a few minutes later the bombardment ceased and Daenerys walked out the battered main gate and found Ulfric and the Night King standing together. Ulfric stood there girt with the Black Hand of Sauron's sword and the Night King by his side.
"You wish to yield the city" Ulfric bellowed.
"I challenge your champion to single combat" Daenerys replied with a snarl.
Ulfric and the Night King laughed and thought Daenerys to be joking. Daenerys again challenged the Night King to single combat.
"And why would I accept your proposal" Ulfric wanted to know. "I could easily overrun the defenses of the hold."
"I win and you withdraw your attack. The Night King prevails and you may have Windhelm and all of northern Skyrim" Daenerys answered.
Ulfric looked at the Night King and whispered in his ear "you failed to bring me the girl, but Daenerys has more than enough blood on her hands to give me the weapon I need to defeat the Akaviri battlemage" looking at Daenerys, Ulric's eyes flared yellow in anticipation of Witch-King's return "I agree to your proposal. When do you wish to hold this contest?"
"Midday tomorrow" Daenerys responded.
Ulfric mockingly bowed and returned to his lines and Daenerys returned to the city and helped tend to the wounded. She prayed and hoped that her husband would arrive in time. Tomorrow's battle she knew would determine the fate of Skyrim and her son's future.