Chapter 39: The Kingsmoot

Kingsmoot

Author's note: As promised, I hope it meets your expectations apologies if it doesn't.

Asha

With the Loss of the Black Wind Asha took a command new vessel the Great Kraken, the ship of her late father Balon Greyjoy to sail to Old Wyk, among her fleet were Theon's Sea Bitch, Sawane Botley's Swiftfin, Rodrik Harlaw's Sea Song, Baelor Blacktyde's Nightflyer and Manfred Merlyn's Kite.

As they entered Nagga's Cradle They saw hundreds of ships already gathered at the holy island, Daegon Shepherd's Dagger, Rodrik Sparr's Grief, Tom Codd's Lamentation, Ralf the Limper's Lord Quellon, Ralf Stonehouse's Red Jester, and even the mighty Iron Victory the flagship of the Iron Fleet and captained by Victarion Greyjoy himself.

But one ship, in particular, caught their attention, one that Theon had not seen in ten years and Asha in three. A lean and fearsome craft even at anchor, It's hull was red like it had been sailing on a sea of blood and a single mast with black sails that looked as if it had been sewn with sin. In contrast to the vessel a cruel yet swift appearance, on the prow was a slender naked pearl maiden with no mouth, flowing hair and high breasts standing over a silvery kraken shaped ram. Silence, the infamous ship of Euron Greyjoy the Crows Eye.

Theon grew pale, of all his uncles Theon considered his eldest one to be the most dangerous by far. As ruthless as he was cunning, Euron often taunted his fellow ironborn in battles of wit, messing with their minds and playing on their emotions. As Asha's ships docked Theon took note of the men aboard Euron's ship, they fit the ship perfectly fierce, cruel and mute.

"When did you last see the Crow's Eye," Theon asked.

"Three years ago," Asha replied, "I was away on the Blackwind stealing trinkets from Lysene Pirates. When I returned Euron was gone and Victarion's salt wife was dead."

"From what I head Euron took her at one point, Victarion called it rape while Euron said he had her consent. Victarion beat her to death to preserve his pride."

Asha looked down, "I never figured out the story, our nuncle refused to speak of it."

Before the Kingsmoot there was to be a day of feasting, many had set their camps around those they had chosen to follow. Looking to her Nuncle Victarion's Camp she saw that he already had a large following. The banners of the Goodbrothers, the Volmarks, the Kennings, the Stonehouses, the Tawneys, the Weavers and the Shepherds surrounded Victarion's tent. It was easy to spot being one of the largest. Euron's tent was also unmistakable, unlike his brother who used sailcloth the Crow's Eye's tent was made of golden fabric.

Asha and Theon spend the greater part of the day walking among the camps hoping to sway more captains to their cause, only a handful of minor captains did so save for one House Sunderly who agreed to join them. They had a fair number of followers but it was only enough to be on par with their Nuncles. With this in mind, Asha decided to treat with Victarion, with him backing her Euron would stand no chance.

They entered Victarion's tent where a hundred captains were residing. A grand feast was being held with roast kid, cod and lobster and enough ale to float the iron fleet. All around men feasted, the air was filled with the sound of reaving songs and others were doing the finger dance. There at the main table sat Victarion seated with his most staunch supporters, he was talking to Hotho Harlaw, no doubt trying to get his allegiance. The siblings spent the rest of the day head drinking with the captains and Theon even doing the finger dance with the Red Oarsman.

As nighttime fell Asha decided to take this time to speak to Victarion, "Nuncle."

"Niece," Victarion replied with a nod.

"Might I have a word in private." Victarion looked to his comrades before sighing and standing up to follow her to a secluded part of the shores overlooking the longships. Once Asha was sure they were alone she began. "For four days and nights, my brother and I have drunk with the Captains and the kings listening to what they say. The Harlaws are with me as are the Blacktydes and several others, but it will not be enough."

"What is that to me," Victarion asked.

"Declare for me Nuncle," Asha pleaded, "If we remain divided we cannot hope to sit the Seastone Chair."

"Rule as our queen?" Victarion wondered incredulously. "No woman has ever sat the Seastone chair."

"Theon is with me."

"A boy long away, corrupted by the greenlanders."

"He is my brother, he is a Greyjoy," Asha declared, "as much as you or I."

"I hear you intend to end the war," Victarion grunted. "Would you have us forsake our freedom and bend the knee dear niece?"

"If we are to survive," Asha argued. "Balon's wars have gained us nothing, we lost too many good men and have nothing to show for it."

"You have taken the Rills Barrowton and the Stony Shore," Victarion pointed out, "you think that is nothing?"

"What was easily won, can be easily lost," Asha said. "You cannot hope to win over Euron without us."

"The Crow's Eye has been too long away?" Victarion replied.

"I thought so too until I walked among the camps," she tossed a pebble into the sea. "Have you talked with the captains," Asha asked, Victarion did not answer and Asha continued. "I have, the men do not talk of your strength or my beauty. They talk of Euron, the places he's been the people he's killed the settlements he has sacked. His victory at Lannisport."

"MY victory," Victarion raged. "I burned the Lannister Fleet, I threw the first torch on the Flagship of Tywin Lannister."

"You may have burned the fleet but it was Euron's scheme that made it possible," Asha pointed out. Victarion only frowned in response. If you wish to keep Euron away from the Seastone Chair then help me do so."

"I will not have a little girl undo our brother's work," Victarion declared.

Asha threw up her hands, "What work? We have fought and bled for a year and thus far we have had naught but disaster, Moat Cailin, Deepwood Motte. All his work is dash upon the rocks and if we aren't careful we will meet the same fate."

Asha stalked back to the tent and Victarion followed, they saw Theon speaking with Aeron when a silence fell upon the hall, a dozen men had entered the tent. Asha recognized many of them Jon Myre, Eldred and Lucas Codd, Alyn Orkwood, Donnor Saltcliffe, Germund Botley, Quellon Humble, Waldon Wynch, Denys and Donnel Drumm and Stefarion Sparr.

They were led by a tall handsome man with dark hair and a patch over his right eye. Asha and her brother could not help but stare, 'gods, he hasn't aged a day.' Euron Greyjoy had always been comely compared to his brothers and it seemed that years at sea had not changed that in the slightest. Balon's hair had gone white while Victarion and even the youngest Aeron had streaks of grey in their Hair, Euron's, however, was still black as night. The only real change Asha could see was a blue hue that covered his lips.

Asha saw her nuncle Aeron turn white as a sheet. Aeron feared little, yet Euron was among that little. Though she had coaxed many times he refused to say why.

"Nuncle Euron," Asha gave a false smile, "you have been away awhile."

"Niece, Nephew," Euron said in a greeting as he cupped Theon's cheek, "Little Theon my, my how you've grown, the last I saw you were a plump little boy."

Theon tensed at his uncle's touch and Euron chuckled, "worry not dear nephew, I don't bite." He turned to Victarion and Aeron, "Lord Captain, Aeron have you no warm welcome for a brother long away, I am your elder and soon your rightful king."

"The Seastone Chair is not yours yet brother," Aeron declared, "unless the kingsmoot chooses you. No godless man-"

"-shall sit the Seastone Chair," Euron finished in agreement. "As it happens I have sat upon the Seastone Chair and neither god nor throne has raised any complaint or objections. Who knows more about gods than I? I have seen them all, Bull gods, Cow gods, Horse Gods, Goat Gods, Fire Gods, River Gods. Gods on weirwood trees, Gods of the Sea, Gods of the Sky, infant gods, and warrior goddesses, gods with many heads and gods of death. I have seen them all little brother."

"Idols and false gods," Aeron snarled.

"Just so," Euron said, "and for that sin, I've slain them all. Our words say we do not sow yet I sowed the fields with the blood of their men and sowed my seed unto their women. I have heard the prayers in a thousand languages. 'Give me wealth, give me fame, give me glory, give me love, give me power. Bless me, help me, cure me, free me, save me. Save me from the plague, save me from my enemies, save me from the Silence. I challenged them all yet their prayers went unanswered so they must false or perhaps I'm just mightier than them."

His followers roared with laughter, and Aeron glared at them, "Fools, do you not know who you are serving."

"Our Rightful King," Denys Drumm answered proudly

Aeron spat and stalked off and Euron turned to Asha, "I see you have become a great beauty of the Iron Isles Niece. So tell me, who have you come to support niece, my claim or Victarion's?"

"Neither," Asha declared, "I'm making my own claim."

Euron smiled like the amused father of a small child, "have you now? Well, well we've certainly grown bold, haven't we? I myself am no stranger to ambition." He turned to her little brother, "and what of you Theon? Do you also make a claim?"

Theon shook his head, "no nuncle I'm supporting my sister's claim"

Euron's smile brightened, "really? Now that is interesting," He turned to Asha, "it is rude of me not to inquire. How does your lady mother fare?"

"Better," Asha admitted, "but a man made her a widow to make himself king. You may know him well." She gazed sharply at him but her uncle was not fazed. Theon looked at her hoping she would not continue. Provoking father was one thing but he knew even Euron's brightest smile could be laced with venom.

Euron cocked an eyebrow, "do you accuse me?" He asked bemusedly.

"Should I?" Asha quipped. "For three years you were gone yet you arrive mere days after my father dies."

"The world is a big place, and the isles seem so small when you have seen as much of it as I have."

"When the kingsmoot speaks we shall see who will sit the Seastone chair."

"Indeed we shall," Euron agreed, he placed a finger to his eyepatch and with a smile turned and walked away his followers close behind.

Theon

The next morning the Drowned priests blew their horns and beating the kettledrums summoning the captains and the kings to Nagga's Bones. Fro all over the Isles, they had come, all to choose their new king. Once the gathering had finished Aeron Greyjoy ascended the hill to where the ribcage of the great seadragon Nagga resided, He raised his hands and the horns and drums ceased their song. For a moment all that could be heard was the crashing of the waves before Aeron spoke.

"Balon is dead," Aeron began, "The wrath of the Storm God Cast him down. Now he feasts with his ancestors in the halls of the Drowned God."

"The Iron King is dead," the Drowned Priests chanted.

"Yet what is dead may never die," Aeron continued, and in the name of the Drowned God we are gathered to choose a new king to sit upon the Seastone Chair and rule the Isles. WHO SHALL BE KING OVER US?!"

Silence crept over the crowd, none of the Greyjoys made a move, a wise decision since the first to speak was the least likely to be chosen.

Finally, after a long pause, a voice cried out. "I claim the Seastone Chair." The Captains parted to make way for the claimant and his champions. He was a tall thin man with a cleanshaven face and melancholy expression. His champions seemed to be his sons since they shared his traits. "I am Gylbert Farwynd, Lord of the Lonely Light."

All who knew House Farwynd considered them a queer lot rumored of being able to take the form of various sea creatures. As they ruled over the westernmost contingent of the Iron islands they were looked upon as outcasts. GYlbert's three champions shared his features so Theon guessed they were his sons.

"Name me your king and I shall lead you to the lands across the Sunset Sea," Gylbert declared. "We shall build ten thousand ships as the Rhoynar once did and sail to where neither winter nor death has dominion. Where every man shall be a king and every wife shall be a queen."

Theon looked to the other Greyjoys and saw Euron wanted to keel over with laughter. For once Theon was inclined to agree with the Crow's Eye. It all seemed like a dream for madmen and fools. As the Lord of Lonely Light finished, his champions presented his gifts. 'A poor offering,' Theon thought. There was naught here but bones tusks, sealskins, and warhorns. Lesser captains helped themselves to the gifts but the rest remained stoic.

His champions shouted his name, "Gylbert, Gylbert, Gylbert King." But only the Farwynds took up the cry and soon the chants died out and Gylbert made his way down the hill.

Aeron turned to the Captains, "who shall be king over us?"

"I Claim the Seastone Chair!" A deep voice boomed like thunder, again the Captains parted. The speaker was a man of near ninety and twenty stones heavy. He sat upon a chair of driftwood carried by his grandsons. His hair and great beard were white as snow and he wore a cloak of Snow Bear Skin. His champions were three of his grandsons, great strapping man, and clearly veteran raiders. One of whom carried a monstrous warhammer.

His grandsons set him down at the feet of Nagga's bones and the old man spoke. "Aye, me," He began. "Why not? Who Better? I am Erik Ironmaker, For those who are blind, I am Erik the Just, Erik the Anvilbreaker. Where is it written that our king must be a kraken? What right does Pyke have to rule over us when Great Wyk is the Largest Isle, Harlaw is the Richest and Old Wyk the Holiest? When the Black Line Died we chose Vickon to rule over us but as LORD not KING."

"It is a good start," Theon admitted and he heard many shouts of approval, even Aeron was impressed.

Erik continued, "I cannot count how many heads I have smashed with my hammer and anvil, though thieves and widows might tell you. I could tell you all my deads but in my age, I'll perish before I finish halfway. "Show them Thormor."

Thormor lifted it for all to see, it's handle wrapped in leather and its head was solid steel and bigger than a loaf of bread.

"If old is wise, none are wiser, if big is strong none are stronger. You want a King with heirs I have them in abundance. "King Erik, HAH, I like the sound of it. Come say it with me ERIK ANVIL-BREAKER, ERIK KING.

His champions poured out his gifts which were significantly better that Gylbert's. Silver, bronze, and weapons of all types, many captains snatched these items and added their voices to the swelling chant. ERIK, ERIK, ERIK KING."

For a brief moment, it seemed that the Greyjoys would have a competitor when suddenly a voice cut through the chants. Asha Greyjoy stood upon a rock and her voice overbearing the others. "Stand up Ironmaker!"

The Chants turned silent and everyone turned to Asha. Erik Ironmaker turned scarlet as his gaze turned to the woman. What was that?!" He demanded, "what did you say, you thrice-damned woman?!"

"Did I stutter?" Asha wondered, "I said stand up. You want the Seastone Chair then stand up and take it, if you do that then you shall have my support."

Euron chuckled softly as Erik Ironmaker slowly looked around as the Captains stared at him apprehensively. He clenched the grips of his chair and breathed deeply. He began to heave himself up. his muscles tensed, his veins pulsed to purple. The effort turned his face red yet it seemed for a brief moment that he would succeed. But his breath failed him and he slumped back onto his chair heaving. The old man bowed his head as his grandsons carried him down the hill. Theon felt a twinge of pity for the man, had it been thirty years ago he might very well have won the Moot. But it was clear that his time had long past him.

Once Erik had descended, Aeron turned back to the captains, "Who shall be king over us?"

Finally, Theon saw his nuncle step forward. Victarion climbed the hill along with his champions Ralf the Limper, Nute the Barber and Red Ralf Stonehouse. He knelt before Aeron asking for his blessing. Aeron uncorked his water skin and poured the seawater over his head. "What is dead may never die," Aeron said.

"But rises again harder and stronger," Victarion replied. He then turned to the Captains and began. "You all know who me and know that I am not a man of fancy words. If that is what you seek to find a bard. I have an Axe and I have this." he raised his axe and a mailed fist into the air. "I was Balon's most trusted Brother. I brought Balon's bride to him, I led the Iron Fleet through many victories. What you shall get from me is more than what you got from Balon and vengeance for our slain brothers."

His champions poured out his chests. A wealth of gold, silver, and gemstones. Plunder from his countless raids. then his champions took up the cry, and as captains rushed to take their share of treasure they joined them. "VICTARION, VICTARION, VICTARION KING, VICTARION, VICTARION, VICTARION!

Theon looked at his other nuncle. But Euron seemed to be biding his time and clearly in no rush to make a claim yet. This filled Theon with dread as he wondered what The Crow's Eye's plan was.

But the crowd was silenced at last by none other than Asha who let out a shrill whistle getting the attention of the captains. Asha climbed up the steps with Theon following her along with Harras Harlaw and Qarl the Maid. Victarion's Champions tried to stop her but were stopped by Theon and Asha's other champions. The Captains made way for the pair, these were Balon's children and the crowd was curious to hear what they have to say.

As she passed Victarion's gifts she snatched up a golden collar and placed it on her head wearing it like a crown. I ought to thank you for bringing such a treasure hoard to my queensmoot nuncle. Though you needn't come so armed and armored for I will bring you no harm." Asha's champions smirked at this though no laughs came from the crowd.

"Among us, none are braver than my uncle or fiercer in battle. But Crow's Eye is his elder and had the stronger claim Victarion has no sons and no wives to produce any." The captains nodded in agreement and Asha continued. "But our claim is stronger still. Balon's brothers cannot come before his sons."

"Sons?" Ralf the Limper questioned. "I see but one and Balon's sweet little daughter."

"Daughter?" Asha questioned and slipped her hand in her jerkin, "You have me Ralf the Limper for it seems I am a woman." She pulled her hand out of her jerkin revealing a dirk. "And a mother to it seems, for here is my sweet sucking babe," she raised her dirk in the air.

"You cannot lead us," Ralf objected, "not when Balon's living son is here."

Silence overtook the crowd as everyone turned to Theon expectantly eager to hear what he had to say. Theon slowly looked around. Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward and spoke. "You know my nuncle," Theon began, "and you know my sister just as well. Many of you have sailed under her. She has led men, she has killed men, a woman of no it is clear what she truly is. Asha is a reaver, Asha is a warrior, Asha is ironborn." The Captains nodded in agreement and Theon continued, "When I was taken as a hostage Balon bred her to rule and among the house of Greyjoy we will find no better leader than her."

"Your time in the north has clearly slowed your mind Theon," Euron quipped, "that is why you forsake you think a woman can be our king." The crowd murmured and Theon glared at his uncle.

"Aye nuncle I have spent too much time with them." Theon agreed before turning to the crowd, "and that is why I know them better than any of you. The other Great Houses pay us no mind, to them we are little more than a thorn in their side. When we come raiding they swat us down then go back to ignoring us. With Asha as our queen, we will make a mark on the world greater than Harrenhal."

Euron shook his head sadly, "such feeble dreams nephew. If not for you Barrowton and the Rills would have remained untouched, Asha had little to do with it and yet you will bow to her and call her queen." He turned to Asha, "how did you convince your brother to give up his far stronger claim to the throne, niece? Did you let him grope you again?" The Ironmen howled with laughter and Theon flushed with the embarrassing reminder. "It seems that all it takes is a pretty face to make Balon's last son pudding in your hand. The Captains laughed louder and Theon's flush deepened.

"Our father attacked the north because it's armies marched off to war," Asha cut in. "But he underestimated the Black Prince and we were humiliated. Now they are returning and if we do not negotiate a settlement we will lose everything.

"What the Kraken grasps it never let's go," Victarion declared. We have a foothold in the north and it is only the beginning

"And what have we grasped Nuncle?" Asha asked. "The Stony Shore? The Rills? Barrowton? For a year we have raided the north and what do we have to show for the blood that was spilled." She gestured with her hand and her champions brought forth her chests. "I will show you all our reward for this war. Here is the wealth of the Stony Shore," The first chest was opened and a torrent of sand poured out. "The Riches of the Rills," The second chest was opened and a wave of stones and pebbles poured atop the mound of sand. "And the treasures of Barrowton," the third chest was opened and an avalanche of turnips rolled atop the pebbles and sand."

"This is the vision of my father and nuncle," Asha declared, "This is the North." She turned to two of her followers. "Sawane Botley, Harmund Sharp, you lost your eldest sons fighting the northerners." She stabbed two turnips with her dirk and raised it up, "is this what they died for?" She tossed them to the two men."

Harmund stared at the turnip for a moment before looking up, "And if we shout your name?" Harmund wondered, "what will you give us?"

"Peace," Asha replied, "land, enough for all of us to have. Side with one of the warring stags and we shall take the lands of the defeated. What say you, will you crown me and have peace and prosperity or will you crown Victarion and have war and with that annihilation?"

"Asha!" Theon cried pout quickly followed by Qarl the Maid and Harras Harlaw, "ASHA, ASHA, ASHA QUEEN." Soon the others took up the cry as many as Victarion. Yet Theon saw that Victarions supporters were not convinced in the slightest. Ralf the Limper even threw a gold cup at Asha forcing her to duck. The cup missed her head but it knocked off her makeshift crown

"No Craven's Peace! Ralfe roared, "especially from a damned girl."

Japes and Insults were exchanged between Asha and Victarion's supporters. Yells of "Asha," and "Victarion" could be heard and for a moment it seemed a fight would break out. Such a thing was not unprecedented. Kingsmoot of the past often got bloody. Sure enough, the insults turned to shoving and pushing soon punches were thrown and men tackled others to the ground. The way things were escalating it was only a matter of time before steel was drawn.

But before this could happen an earsplitting roar erupted cutting hard through the air like Valyrian Steel. The sound caught the attention of the brawling men and they all stopped and picked themselves up.

AAAARRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Theon looked around and saw the source of the terrible sound. One of Euron's mongrels was blowing a massive horn. The Man was monstrous in size, but he was nothing compared to the Horn. A black, twisted thing, taller than a man branded in gold and steel etched with valyrian runes.

AAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Everyone covered their ears trying to protect them from the baneful voice of the horn. Theon could feel his bones rattle and the Sound seemed to slips through his armor and go right through his skin shaking everything inside. "That Horn came from Hell," Theon screamed though he was unsure whether it was in his head or out loud

AAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Just when it seemed that the sound would never end it finally did, everyone cautiously uncovered their ears and saw the Man who had been blowing it stagger. His chest was bleeding and his lips were blistered. the tattoos on his body twitched and it seemed as though they wanted to break free of the skin. Theon noticed that the glyphs on the horn were now glowing and smoke was coming out of the end.

Euron's mongrels took the horn away as The Crow's Eye slowly made his way up the hill, Victarion and Asha's supporters stepped aside to let him through. Once he reached the To he stared them all down with his bright blue eye.

"IRONMEN!" Euron Greyjoy thundered, "you have heard my horn now hear my words. I am Euron, the eldest Living son of Quellon Greyjoy. The Blood of the Old Kraken flows through my veins. Yet only one has sailed farther than any of them, only one has never known defeat. Only one has dared to go to the places no other man dared to go from Asshai by the Shadows to The Ruins of Valyria. I have seen terrors beyond imagining, learned secrets long thought buried."

"If you're so fond of those hellish lands then why don't you go back there," Qarl the Maid japed.

Euron didn't seem to notice and continued. "Once our people were conquerors, under House Hoare our writ ruled where one could smell the sea, and hear the waves. From the coast of the Sunset Sea to the lands north of the Blackwater. My brother would have us continue banging our heads against the frozen shores of the dismal north. My niece and nephew would suck the cocks of the boy kings for a few patches of land."

"We cannot hope to defeat either of them," Asha reasoned. "They both have the strength to crush us."

Euron smiled "tell me dear niece which boy king will you have us join? The one whose wife's lands you razed or the one who makes Mad King Aerys look sane."

"Joffrey has no choice," Asha said, "he needs our help to if he wants to defeat his brother."

Euron chuckled, "yes, they need you now but once they don't. They will cast you out like a Stoneman."

"And what will you have us do?" Asha wondered.

Euron shrugged, "Roland, Joffrey, I say fuck them all and let the Storm God take them, my brother wants a kingdom, my niece wants to thrive. I shall give you both and more, we shall sweep over the green lands with fire and sword and root out their false idols. I will give us. Lannisport and Highgarden, the Arbor and Tarth, Gulltown and Kings Landing, the Trident and the Mander, the Kingswood and the Rainwood, the Shield Islands and the Three Sisters, Bear Island and Fair Isle, The Mountains of the Moon and the Vale of Arryn, the Bone Mountains, and the Dornish Marches. For the greater glory of the Drowned God, We shall take it ALL, we shall take WESTEROS."

Asha laughed harshly, "you truly have gone mad. Did you lose your wits in Valyria? How are we suppose to take the south when we can't even take hold the cold dismal north?"

Euron laughed, "dear niece has my brother not taught you your history? It has been done before and will be again." He turned to his brothers, "Victarion it seems Asha does not know of Aegon the Conqueror."

Victarion crossed his arms, "what does the conqueror have to do with anything?"

Euron smiled, "Aegon conquered Westeros with dragons and so shall we." His mongrels raised the horn they had blown for all to see. This is no normal horn as you heard for yourselves and felt it's power. It is but one of many secrets I found in Valyria. For this is a dragonhorn, forged by valyrian sorcery and baptized in dragon's blood, the first dragonlords of old Valyria used such horns to bind the dragons to their will."

"That horn will serve better summoning goats and cows." Asha scoffed, "The dragons are all dead, there are none left."

Euron chuckled, "it is a pity you never traveled the world niece for there is much you can learn out there. Once again dear girl you are mistaken, for across the narrow sea there are three and with this instrument ironmen they will be ours. Surely Dragons are worth a driftwood crown, if not, perhaps this is."

Euron's men opened his chests to the captains and a wealth of treasure poured out, far surpassing that of the other contenders even Victarion's, not just gold and silver but platinum as well. Cups and plates of gold, gemstones the size of tangerines, opals, jade and pearls, ornate daggers, gilded swords, crowns, rings, bracelets, necklaces collars. Theon wondered how many ports and ships fell victim to Silence for this.

"No greenlander shall GIVE us ANYTHING," Euron declared. "We are Ironborn we will take what we wish and we shall take the greenlands as I took these, the loot of a thousand ships and a hundred ports!"

Euron's champions began shouting his name, "EURON, EURON, EURON!"

Theon watched as Gylbert Farwynd filled his hands with treasure, and Erik's grandsons seized choice items to present their grandfather. Their eyes gleamed as they too began shouting Euron's name, "EURON KING, EURON, EURON!"

Others followed suit along with followers of Victarion and Asha. The Volmarks, Shepherds, Goodbrothers, Sharps, Stonehouses and the minor Harlaw Branches took up the cry. "EURON, EURON, EURON CROW'S EYE, EURON KING!"

Aeron, Asha, and Theon exchanged looks as the roar of the Ironborn got louder and louder.

"EURON, EURON, EURON, EURON, EURON, EURON!"