Echoes from the Past

A/N: My apologies for the delay. A dog bit my right hand in the park almost 3 weeks ago and it has been slow to heal. In the meantime, typing for long has been painful so I was avoiding it while on the mend. Between that and some other things in RL that have kept me busy, I was unable to focus much on the next chapter but thankfully, here is the next update now and it is also one of the longest chapters I have made so far. Not the very longest, but close.

Also, I want to take a moment to say thanks to the readers for now my story has over 1000 favorites! Much appreciated guys! Thanks for helping me reach that bracket through your enthusiasm for my thread and the others.

Anyway, hope you enjoy it. Loads of important information in this chapter but know that we are almost done with the info dumps in this arc and that Jon and Sansa are seeing each other soon. Until then, I hope you enjoy the ride and if you do, then please leave a comment. Have fun!

King Jon blinked rapidly as he heard the proclamation from the High Priestess of the Temple of the Moonsingers, especially because it implied this prophecy, which apparently involves him, dates back to Old Valyria itself.

"Well, that is not something you hear every day," He ended up saying, before realizing the irony of his words due to recent events at the very least. "So, I believe some explanations are required." He said while keeping his expression neutral.

The high priestess, who introduced herself as Shallan Ravad stared at him for a moment, her penetrating gaze clearly taking his measure.

Eventually, she took a deep breath and nodded before heading to the table where Jon and Tycho had been discussing the terms of his agreement with the Iron Bank. There, passing her hand over the surface to make sure it wasn't dirty or wet, she unrolled the old scroll she brought into the room.

The secret god followed, with Nestoris close behind and he took a quick glance at the parchment. The material was ancient but the letters were still very clearly visible. It was obvious that this scroll had been given great care over the centuries.

"Before we begin, may I ask you, my King, what do you know about the Moonsingers?" She asked.

Jon sighed, feeling a bit embarrassed at his very limited knowledge of the topic given the unexpected situation he found himself in. "Not much," He admitted. "I can't say your religion is commonly seen in the Westeros in general or the North in particular so I have never had much reason to learn many details about it. All I really know is the temple of your religion is the largest on Braavos and if I were to harbor a guess, I would imagine the moon plays a vital role in your faith. But I am afraid you have me at a profound disadvantage."

If the High Priestess was surprised or disappointed by that admission, she didn't show it. Instead, she nodded respectfully. "An educated guess, to be sure. Yes, our people worship the moon goddess and many of our religious rituals and festivities are celebrated by song. Sharing with you the precise details of our theology, however, is not important right now. After all, we have long suspected that when the time came for the omens to light the way to the most promising candidates of our oldest, unfulfilled, prophecy the portents would show us that the chosen would not be from our religion. As a result, your ignorance about our beliefs was expected."

"I see," The King of the North and the Trident said slowly. Then he shrugged. "Still, I would like to hear a bit about the...magical blessings your deity grants you," He said, his thoughts going back to his meeting with the R'hllor. "Ever since my resurrection at the hands of a Red Priestess, I have discovered I have been blessed with some magical abilities myself so I am curious about what your people can do."

"Ah, yes, the Lord of Light and the boons he grants," Shallan muttered. "An interesting deity, to be sure, though not the one we Moonsingers prefer to worship the most nor in the way most Red Priests would approve."

Then she shook her head as if trying to gather her thoughts. "Well, some of the Moonsingers are born with a deeper connection to our goddess," The raven-haired woman went on. "Most commonly, that is shown in a capacity to receive visions from Mother Moon that help guide us as we walk into the mists of the future although sometimes, we are born with the ability to help a sick or injured body heal from its ailments faster than it would have otherwise. Speeding the process along, so to speak. That power still has limits, of course, but it certainly helps ease suffering, and since it is a much rarer blessing, it's not uncommon for High Priestesses to be selected from that lot when a community produces someone like that. In this case, me," She clarified.

The secret god's eyes widened in dawning realization. "Ah. I did wonder if it was common in your religion to have such a... young-looking High Priestess. No offense intended."

Ravad chuckled. "None taken. I get that a lot. But yes, the uncommon blessing my goddess granted me is one of the reasons I was picked as the High Priestess of this decade. Once my years of service expires, I would give way to my successor. And after that, hopefully, the Moon Goddess would grant me children that would be blessed in more ways than one."

"Understood," Jon responded with a curt nod. "So, what is this prophecy about, and what exactly makes you think it refers to me?"

"All valid questions," Shallan said in agreement. "That said, to explain it properly, you must understand a few things first about the origins of Braavos itself and of how the Faceless Men originally arrived at the secret city in the first place."

Then she turned to the high ranking officer of the Iron Bank. "Do you want to explain how the shadowy assassins came to be before reaching Braavos or should I?" She asked politely.

Tycho Nestoris shrugged. "I suppose it would be more proper if I do, given my bank's mutual partnership with them."

With that, he took a deep breath. "The infamous society originated in the volcanic **** mines of Valyria, prior to the founding of Braavos, a few centuries before the Doom itself. Some of the precise details have been lost to us through the passage of time but the tale of its beginnings center around a figure of unknown origins who was the first Faceless Man. This man heard the prayers of the slaves to their various gods and came to conclude that they all prayed to the same god "with a hundred different faces", the Many-Faced God, and that he was that god's instrument." The keyholder explained. "This led to him giving "the first gift" to the most **** **** who cried out for release among that hell on earth. Later, the first Faceless Man discovered another **** praying fervently for his master's ****. He granted the prayer in exchange for that **** joining him in serving the Many-Faced God.

"Eventually," He continued with a proud smile, yet with some grimness around the edges, "these ancient Faceless Men later brought the gift to the Valyrian masters as well. There have been all sorts of stories surrounding the cause of the Doom of Valyria, as I am sure you have heard, your grace. However, the little known truth about the cataclysm, as detailed in some of the oldest records from the House of Black and White, was that they assassinated too many of the mages who maintained the spells controlling the chain of volcanic mines known as the Fourteen Flames. After that protection failed to hold back the tide any longer, the Doom erupted to the skies so high that even dragons burned. And as they say, the rest is history."

"Seriously?" the young king muttered with a wide-eyed look. "The Faceless Men were also behind the utter destruction of Old Valyria?"

"Indirectly," The banker clarified. "If the greedy Valyrian masters hadn't **** countless slaves to over mine the volcanoes they wouldn't have needed to depend on wizards to contain the worst of the fires. And even after realizing the dangers, they kept digging, increasing the scale of the eruption waiting to happen. So, it was their endless lust for wealth and abundant arrogance that ultimately doomed them. Those Faceless Men simply gave the final push that destroyed the most powerful slavers the world has ever known."

The King in the North and the Trident took a moment to swallow that information. It certainly offered its fair share of cautionary tales and highlighted the historic influence of the Faceless Men even further. And if he was honest with himself, knowing that they were responsible for destroying all the mighty dragon-riding families except for the Targaryens in a single **** did make his newfound godly pride feel a bit less shaken when taking into account they were the ones that defeated him with that ambush and not less impressive mortals.

"Well, forgive me if it is a sensitive topic but now I have to ask: did Braavos commission that attack against the fire mages that ended in the destruction of the Freehold or not?"

"I don't blame you for being curious, King Jon, but I am afraid I must say that we simply do not know," The keyholder responded. "The Century of Blood that followed the Doom was full of carnage, warfare, and chaos, and many records were lost in those days, even in Braavos. If a Sealord was the one that commission such a decisive blow then it was either done in secret or we have simply forgotten by this point. All I can tell you is that when pressed by some members of our institution, I have heard the response "Sometimes, there is a greater joy to be found in labor done for free."

Jon scratched his chin as he analyzed that then shrugged. "Well that's another enlightening historical mystery you have clarified for me, and for that, I thank you," He said with a nod of respect towards the high-ranking banker. "However, I think we are starting to get off-topic. What else do I need to know about these topics so that I can understand the prophecy you brought?"

At that, Shallan Ravad drew his attention to the ancient scroll itself. "Well, that would involve some explanations that detail how was it that a group from the original Faceless Men discovered Braavos while it was still a secret city," The High Priestess said. "

"All right then," Jon said, wondering how many more historical mysteries that would have Maesters drooling would he end up learning before returning to the North. "I will bite. How did that happen?"

At that, the Shallan gave him a wide, knowing smile.

"That's where we come in," She said with a note of pride in her tone. "You must have heard that Braavos was founded by a large group of former Valyrian slaves that took over a small fleet during a mutiny and sought to escape the Freehold. What is usually less commonly known in Westeros, however, is that a group of enslaved women from the lands of the Jogos Nhai prophesied where they would find shelter: a lagoon behind a wall of pine-clad hills and sea stones, where frequent fogs would help hide the refugees from the eyes of dragonlords passing overhead. These women were Moonsingers blessed with visions from Mother Moon and, as proven by Braavosi history, their prophecy proved true. It is for that reason that the Temple of the Moonsingers is the largest in all of Braavos."

Jon nodded slowly as he took that new piece of information in but said nothing, urging her to go on. Shallan took a deep breath and then motioned him to approach the table. Jon did and looked at the unfolded scroll once more.

"As I have said, some of the Moonsingers are born with an affinity for visions of the future," The raven-haired woman went on. "Normally, their prophecies are short, gained from vague bits of insights they gain from peering into time. However, many centuries ago, a High Priestess of the Moonsingers was enslaved by the Valyrians and **** to work on their mines around the time the original Faceless Men were arising and one day, in particular, her visions got remarkably more specific than usual, empowered by what she called a "powerful tremor that was shaking the foundations of magic and fate, echoing back to her own era," She recited.

The secret god tried his hardest to keep his face neutral but inside his thoughts were reeling, going back to the explanation the R'hllor had given him about his ascension making a prophetic quake that affected the visions of prophets across the present and even the past.

"That sounds...fascinating," He ended up saying. "What happened next?"

"Next, the deeply exhausted and **** woman encountered one of the original Faceless Men," Shallan said grimly. "She had heard of the release they had been offering their fellow, hopeless slaves, so she offered him her newfound insights into the future in exchange for granting her peace. She just asked that for them to eventually record her prophecy because she could foresee that one of their future students will one day make it to a city to the north where a "new, grand temple of her faith will be finished and where they would manage to find shelter even from the Dragonlords. "

Jon raised an eyebrow. "That sounded a lot like Braavos when it was still hidden and the Moonsinger Temple that has been constructed here."

"Indeed," The priestess said with a nod. "That was the first sign of many that led to the Faceless Men that would one day found the House of Black and White and the Moonsigners from that period to take this prophecy seriously and make multiple copies of the scroll, even though that one on the table is the original."

"Well then," The King of the North and the Trident said as he interlocked his fingers, "That sounds like enough background. What did the prophecy actually say and what leads you to believe I am the one it talks about?" He demanded to know.

Ravad took a deep breath and turned her eyes to the ancient document. "First of all, we think you are a candidate to that prophecy because my distant predecessor told the Faceless man that she foresaw the arrival of a sorcerer-king to a secret, northern city, hidden by fog from the eyes of Valyria hundreds of years from then. Moreover, the Moonsinger proclaimed that this ruler would ride a dragon that breathed ice instead of fire and would come from an ancient bloodline with more kings in its past than most families in history."

"Huh," Jon said with widened. "Now I am starting to see why you are so sure about my role there. That was oddly specific."

"Exactly," Shallan said with an amused smile. "Besides, you are not just a king yourself but also a Stark. And the Starks have been kings of the North for most of the last 8,000 years. Kneeling before Aegon the Conqueror not-withstanding, it only took 3 centuries before the Starks started producing kings again, first with your brother Robb and now with you. Between all of that and your capacity to performs feats of sorcery, I truly believe you are the main candidate for this prophecy."

The secret god couldn't find it in himself to disagree. But then he caught onto what she had said. "I am sorry, but what do you mean by the main candidate?"

"That there are 2 other candidates in the vision," She explained. "And if anything, that makes me more certain we are referring to you because the signs that point out to the other two candidates are also visible enough in this era."

"You don't say," He muttered. "Alright then, go on."

At that moment, she looked at him with hopeful eyes. "Well, the key aspect of the prophecy is that this ancient Moonsinger foresaw that the arrival of this sorcerer-king at that once-hidden city would herald the beginning of the end of slavery where the land of Essos meets the narrow sea, because of the power of his domains, the alliances he would make and his desire to use his strange dragon to liberate people, instead of enslaving them, to say nothing of the powerful magic at his disposal."

There was absolute silence in the office of Tycho Nestoris for a long moment after that proclamation, with Jon trying to swallow the enormity of what she was saying. Eventually, he shook his head as if to clear it.

"You...you mean to tell me that your prophecy foretold that I would also be one of the main architects to abolish slavery across the Free Cities that face the Narrow Sea?" He asked with surprise in his tone.

"That's what has been foretold, yes," Shallan explained. "Which is why this scroll is known as the Prophecy of Liberation. And yes, I know it sounds like a gigantic, next-to-impossible task but the omens look clear enough on that front."

"I...I don't know what to say," He muttered.

"Then just listen for now, as the prophecy is not over yet," She suggested.

Then she took a moment to read a section of the scroll, probably to refresh her memory, and turned back to him.

"Another important sign that shows the time of prophecy is at hand is the fact that it has been written that the first representative of the fog-clad but brave city who would be sent to aid and observe the Sorcerer King in his duties will be a descendant of an unworthy dragon and a goddess of love, beauty and fertility," The High Priestess declared. "Does that sound familiar?"

Jon's eyes widened. "Bellegere told me that she descended from one of the bastard lines started by King Aegon IV, also known as Aegon the Unworthy. Does that mean...?"

"We believe so," Shallan confirmed with a nod, "Especially because it is known that the original Black Pearl of Braavos that bedded that...notorious king, was the daughter of a Summer Islander Princess. Specifically, from one of the bloodlines that flowed from Princess Xanda Qo, who was claimed to descend from their love deity by her people during the **** Wars. There is no other descendant of an "unworthy dragon" that fits this omens so completely so, we do believe the famed courtesan is meant to be our first Braavosi representative to your court."

Jon rubbed his forehead, more than a little overwhelmed by all of this. "I guess the signs really are clear on that matter then.

Then he shook his head. "I am sorry if my reactions were not what you expected. It's just that I think I need some time to digest all of this, and what it will entail."

"I understand completely," Shallan said in an empathetic tone. "It is a grand duty that the hands of fate are asking of you, after all. And it is getting late after a very long day for you. I suppose we can continue tomorrow if you prefer."

Before Jon could find it in himself to agree, one of the guards burst into the room. He looked at Tycho Nestoris with a frantic look.

"Sir, the Ice Dragon is starting to wake up, and while they asked for it after it ran out in large enough quantities, the next shipment of milk of the poppy hasn't arrived yet. One of the Faceless Men securing the area asked me to escort his rider to the Ice Dragon so that he can hopefully calm him down before it starts wreaking havoc on the city."

Jon sighed. "It seems rest will have to wait. Lead the way, soldier."

And with that Jon gave Shallan a polite nod as he thanked her for bringing all of this to his attention before hurrying to prevent unnecessary damage to the city.

Tycho and Shallan stared at each other for a moment.

"Did you managed to come to an agreement on the military alliance between his kingdom and Braavos?" She asked.

"Yes," The banker said with a nod. "And I didn't mention that our alliance could be defined as one of the many omens in that scroll. He saw the wisdom in the prospect and said yes anyway."

"Another sign that we are on the right track yet."

Another pause then the keyholder went to the window and stared at the horizon. "Are you going to tell him about our prophetic suspicions regarding Daenery Targaryen?" He asked without turning back.

"Eventually, of course," Shallan replied. "But recent events seemed to have left our main candidate more than a little overwhelmed and for good reason. He could use some time to take things slow before we drop more heavy revelation on him. Besides, he still has to reclaim Winterfell and it could be argued that we have delayed him too long as it is."

"Hmph," The servant of the Iron Bank muttered. "You have a point there. Try not to wait too long though. And I am not just talking about the omens regarding the Dragon Queen but also about who you really are to this new sorcerer-king. We don't want him to feel manipulated either, especially not by us."

"Naturally," Shallan said in agreement. "It has been a pleasure. You know where to find me when you need me."

And with that she turned to leave the room, pleased with herself once again that her moon goddess had deemed it fit to let her live in the time period where her most cherished prophecy would get fulfilled.

A/N: Okay, so I know this was a long one with a lot of information but it was a very important development for some of my long term plans for across the Narrow Sea after Jon consolidates his rule but before the Army of the Dead crosses over (which is hard for them to do without a dragon of their own, or else they would have crossed sometime in the last 8000 years the Night King had been alive, gathering his forces)

At any rate, I hope you enjoyed it and know as I said, know that a Sansa & Jon reunion is coming soon, among other things. So, please be a little more patient and we will get there. I know you have been asking for it for a while but as they say, first things first, right?

Also, I would like to point out that, while my cast of characters is huge, one of the reasons I am going with the story arc system is to focus on certain characters more than others on specific arcs. In other words, don't expect me to give next to equal screen time to all my secondary and OC characters all the time as future arcs get written. Sometimes they will juts be doing stuff off-screen, so to speak without getting actual appearances while I concentrate more on specific groups of characters in a given arc.

Finally, know that yes, if you read the content of the books between the lines, the Faceless Men were indeed pretty much responsible for the Doom of Valyria by killing the fire mages that contained the eruptions of their volcanic mines. It's one of the clearer theories that are not directly said in depth but that is pretty much a given when you analyze the details.

Anyway, hope you liked it, everyone. Leave a comment if that was the case and until next time guys, see ya!