Interlude: Part 3: Schemes from the Depths

A/N: Well, here is the next Interlude chapter. I just want to add before we begin that in this chapter, we will finally start picking back up an important side plot from Story Arc 2, chapter fifteen. Took a while to position my characters in a moment where I could finally start talking about that on-page, as it were, but now that we are here, I hope you find the developments of my 75th chapter intriguing :D

As always, read, enjoy, and review!

Pyke: The Iron Islands

Euron Greyjoy, King of the Iron Islands, opened his eyes. Interlocking his fingers, he stood up and pondered the latest visions he received from the Seastone Chair. Then he took a deep breath and called for the guards directly outside his otherwise empty throne room.

Once they were inside, they bowed, from fear or respect, he wasn't sure but in the end, it mattered not. By now, rumors had started to spread that Euron had become the first king in many centuries to receive multiple visions from the Drown God through their unspeakably ancient and suddenly trembling throne, so that he could best guide his people. Even if they found him terrifying, the guards would be inspired by that to serve him well.

If they knew what was good for them.

"The Drowned God just spoke to me once more," He proclaimed his group of guards. "He wants me to make use of the prisoner I brought with me to Pyke for my coronation. Bring him to me. Oh and, make sure he is dressed in all of his...colorful regalia. It will be important for the ritual."

"As you wish, my king," Said the captain of the guard and they turned around to exit the room.

After that, the throne room became silent once more and Euron took that moment to stare once more at the imposing Seastone Chair.

He always knew that he was destined for greater things, even if that ancient raven with three eyes ended up rejecting him. And now that he had become king with the approval of his men and even their god, it was only a matter of time before he brought the mighty Lords of Westeros to their knees.

"And not even the new King of the North and his Ice Dragon will stand in my way," He vowed.

Beneath him, the Seastone Chair responded to his oath with a tremor. The Ironborn King took a moment to smirk at that before standing up of this throne, heading to the fireplace to prepare the first stage of the ritual.

Euron Greyjoy watched as the doors to his throne room opened and his guards brought his prisoner before him.

He leered at him. "Hello again, Harkon. Do forgive me for waking you up at this hour of the night. But you at least managed to get a bit of sleep, I hope?"

The recently tortured Red Priest stopped groaning in pain as the guards dragged him to his feet. Then he slowly looked up from the ground and swallowed as he stared at him sitting atop the Seastone Chair.

"Please," He groaned, suffering from wounds inflicted upon his flesh. "If you aren't going to keep your end of our bargain then just let me die."

The King of the Iron Islands raised his hands in a seemingly confused gesture. "Let you die? Why would I do that?"

"You...you said..." He broke off.

"I said that if you agreed to use your rare magical talent for me that you gained from whatever it is this so-called Lord of Light truly is, I would stop torturing you," Euron said in agreement. "I never said I would set you free."

Then his jovial tone vanished from his face as he glared him down from his throne. "After all, you were part of the group of Skagosi pirates that stole MY suit of armor made of Valyrian Steel I claimed during my dangerous travels to the Doom of Valyria. That's not something I would easily forgive."

"I am...sorry," Harkon said for what seemed like the 100th time.

"Yeah well, I am bored about hearing your apologies by now," He said with a dismissive gesture. "But like I said, while you are still imprisoned as part of your sentence, I could still issue a royal pardon to set you free eventually. But I am going to need you to perform that useful magical trick of yours more than just one time."

"For...how long?" The pained Priest of R'hllor asked.

"Until I am convinced you truly are sorry," The Greyjoy King responded. "Now, on with it, go to the fireplace. You know what to do," He urged before looking at his guards. "Leave us."

The fearful man sighed but nodded and stood up, just as his escort exited the hall for the time being. Euron tilted his head, watching him move as he approached the chimney.

The King of the Ironborn scratched his beard, this time trying to find out if he could somehow provoke another useful vision as a reaction of foreign magics being performed so close to the Seastone Chair. But nothing of the sort happened.

"Oh well, it was worth a try," He thought before standing up and walking towards the fireplace.

Euron watched the broken shell of a Red Priest, strange enough as it was given he was from Skagos, struggle to concentrate on the spark of magic he could still sustain through the teachings of their religion and he started feeling a bit nostalgic. Ever since that ancient raven with three eyes started appearing in his dreams so many years ago, he had developed a bottomless curiosity for sorcery. That drive only got stronger when his dream-like visitor, whom he now suspected was one of the last greenseers left on this world, rejected him as his potential apprentice.

"And all because I was more curious than horrified at his visions of an army of the dead preparing for their war against the world," The Greyjoy King scowled.

So, ever since he started traveling across the world, he made sure to learn as much as he could about the arts of magic when strange artifacts and even rarer wizards or priests crossed his path. In fact, Harkon was not the only sorcerer he had imprisoned under close watch in his dungeons. He also took some warlocks from the House of the Undying, for example, and started learning some of their ways, whether they wanted to teach him or not. And soon enough, he will be able to take full advantage of them all.

But for now, it was better if he followed the visions to light his path to power.

Euron took a deep breath as he saw that the stoneborn had finally managed to concentrate enough on his magical talent to reshape the smoke and flames from the fireplace into the blurry image of a man.

The King of the Iron Islands smirked as he realized one of his mute prisoners had rushed to answer the call as well.

"A properly beat down thrall is truly the most trustworthy creature in this world," He muttered in a philosophical tone before getting closer to the chimney.

"Report," He commanded, knowing from experience that the other former red priest he enthralled long ago through the iron price could actually make his voice heard through this magical form of communication that was employed by a select few of their order despite being mute.

The fiery form seemed intimidated by him, which made his smirk wider. "My king," He said slowly. "After the...unfortunate deception we received from the Faceless acolyte we now know was Arya Stark, we tried to search for the stolen dragon egg as you requested. I am afraid to say that unlike your second order, that task is impossible for our means as of right now. They are beings guarded in a vault by the Iron Bank, and if I were to guess from the rumors on the street, they will be given to the new King of the North when he heads back to Westeros."

Euron scowled but he wasn't particularly surprised by that development. The window of opportunity for that recovery was very narrow and its retrieval would raise too many questions anyway. "You better have good news to report regarding my second command then," He said in a cool tone, leaving the threat hanging in the air.

The figure of flame and smoke actually swallowed in fear, despite being thousands of miles away, within the Free City of Braavos.

"Of...of course my king," The temporarily reprieved mute said. "It took some time but it helped that most of the Faceless Men were scattered and busy around the city. And the signs from the guiding visions you shared with us were of use too. We have retrieved one of the faces that Arya Stark used on herself as a disguise. It should be one of those that would be subtly, but surely magically tied to her blood by now. I am not sure what ritual you intend to do with that, my king, but if blood, magic, and a sense of identity are crucial components for it, then it should work for your purposes."

Euron nodded, pleased. "In that case, leave at first light and head back to Pyke. Better put some distance between you and the Faceless Men before they realize one of the faces she used is mysteriously missing."

The King of the Ironbron chuckled when he saw the fiery man, in what would normally be a majestic and esoteric sight, squirm. "Oh, don't be too worried. They have no reason to suspect a bunch of battered mutes. So, the sooner you hurry, the sooner you can put those concerns behind you, like the rising tide."

"As you command," He said slowly, nodding. "We will arrive as soon as we possibly can."

"See that you do. And Baelix, you already failed me once with the failure to secure that contract in time so, I suggest you don't fail me again with this new task," He uttered, adding menace to his tone.

Before his thrall could reply, he looked at the Skagosi red priest beside him. "That's enough for today. Sever the connection."

And with that, the flame and smoke crumbled back into the firepit, no longer in a human-like shape. Harkon gasped for breath at that, clearly strained by the efforts.

"I will make sure you are given a better bed and finer food so that you can recover some of your strength," Euron allowed. "And remember," He added before calling for him guards. "If you want me to accelerate your royal pardon faster than these magical communication spells will provide, then I suggest you actually start telling me more about your friends that escaped with my Valyrian steel suit of armor."

The Skagosi said nothing as he was dragged away by his escort back into the prison. Then, Euron caressed the seat of the Seatstone Chair, seeking to convey his appreciation.

"Thank you for your guidance, my Drowned God," He said with a short bow. "I am not usually the praying type. More often than not, it is my sails that inspire men to pray. However, I will make you a promise right here and now, if these visions you have shown me regarding such an incredible ritual actually come to pass, I will erect the finest temple in your name the Iron Islands have ever seen."

Then he smirked fiercely and stared at the waves outside his window. "Two can play at the same game, Jon "Stark". You'll see. And then, the depths will have you."

A/N: Well, this chapter had quite a bit of info, didn't it? To clarify some of the highlights:

1. The red priest magical communication through their fire magic is actually a rare talent from the followers of R'hllor in the 2012 Game of Thrones RPG video game, (no, not the Telltale one, another) which, actually, was a lot more based on the books than the show and George RR Martin was somewhat involved in so I consider it canon until expressly proven otherwise in the main books.

2. The theory that Euron was actually a rejected candidate to succeed Bloodraven with greenseer potential is a fairly popular one among book readers, just so you know if you have only seen the show.

3. Yes, Euron also had a full-on Valyrian Steel suit of armor in the previewed chapters from the Winds of Winter book but, as I implied here, the Order of the Emerald Weirwood from Skagos ended up stealing it from him and that was when Euron captured this magical agent of theirs and has tortured him into submission, except for actually revealing accurate stuff about his secret society. More on that later.

4. Yes, Euron is also receiving visions on a semi-regular basis when he sits upon the very ancient Seastone Chair. This means, a major deity on the Planetos board has an active interest in guiding King Euron against the newest god of their world. As for whether it is the Drowned God like he believes or actually the Great Other manipulating Euron...well, read to find out!

Anyway, hope you enjoyed this chapter. I will have more Jonsa content for you in the next chapter, when I have time to work on it Until next time, please review.