Prospects of the Reach

The group were casually waiting and chatting with one another when each one saw Alexios fly out of the tavern tumbling on the ground. Everyone quickly got into battle positions for the threat. They saw Toros come out with only trousers on with a red face wielding his great axe in one hand. A few saw Obara slip away fully dressed and put the clues together. While explaining the situation to the others, everyone started to laugh.

Alexios casually got up and dusted himself off before walking to his horse. The dumbfounded Toros looked at him before hearing Alexios's chilling words. "One hit is all you'll have for my interruption, anymore and I won't be the one getting thrown." With that the group got onto their horses and began riding for Highgarden. It was a pleasant ride, one of which they didn't often get to experience.

Upon reaching Highgarden they were greeted with a few knights who rode out to meet them. "Am I to presume you are the group of Lord Robb Stark, heir to Winterfell? Robb rode forward not wanting a repeat of Dorne. "That would be me, we were invited to Highgarden by Lady Olenna for a feast." The knight looks at him with a smile.

"I am Loras Tyrell, while I have only been knighted not long ago, I hope you do trust to not underestimate me and try to cause any distress in Highgarden." The entire group then made their way to the castle. Alexios and Robb at the front leading their way to the hall. When entering an old woman with clear eyes sits beside a young brunette who looks upon them with a keen gaze. They take their seats along with Alexios's closest companions while the rest stand behind them.

Loras takes a seat next to The older woman on the other side. "I am glad you could make it to our humble home. You may call me Olenna or Lady Olenna. I wonder what we should talk about while we wait for the food to arrive." Alexios chuckled and smirked, which drew everyone's attention as he looked at the Tyrell's.

He grabbed his greatsword and placed it with one of the men behind him showing them he now did not have his main weapon. This brought about much ease to Loras Tyrell as his mere presence was stressful. "Lady Olenna, I am sure you know all of our titles and such. So how about we skip the boring stuff and just get right to what we really want." Olenna smirked and placed her elbows on the table now focusing her attention on Alexios.

"Okay Alexios, I want a trade agreement, we supply food and you pay gold, easy and simple. You'll pay the costs for the shipping and we will give a fair deal." "Oh by fair deal you mean what you know an average Northman would pay for food considering our climate, no you'll give us a deal that benefits us both." Olenna sighed and nodded before continuing. " Secondly I wish to enter an alliance with your house specifically."

At this Alexios laughed loudly before calming himself. "This is Reana, I am courting her." Olenna had an amused smile as she eyed Reana then back to Alexios. "You could have more than one woman, it's rare and frowned upon by the faith of the seven but you're not of the seven. With more than one woman, you can have the alliance and beautiful woman surrounding you."

Alexios now was thinking, as his grin disappeared. "That would have to be discussed with Reana and myself, not just me. If my heart does not approve and she doesn't want it then it won't happen." Olenna now was on the attack sensing a crack in his demeanor. "Well of course, for now you can spend time with her, perhaps she can come to visit your home in a year or so?"

Alexios looked at Reana who looked back to him with a grin. 'Her appetite is ever growing I swear.' He sighed and nodded to Olenna who smiled.

Margery for once the entire time smiled and spoke. "I hope you'll take care of me my strong warrior." This brought along conflicting emotions and thoughts. Reana wanted to laugh at the attempt of seduction. Loras looked to Alexios and cleared his throat.

"Are the rumors true Sir Alexios? About how you are as strong as ten men and even faster then a horse. That you can fight dozens of men with little effort?" Alexios chuckled and reminisced about the times that it was thousands instead of dozens. He then lowered his head and stood up slowly as he looked at Loras.

"I have never lost a fight, I have never met a man stronger then me, and sometimes I play with my warhorse racing each other. Those are probably the stories that came from it." While he may have tried to downplay his achievements into a more humble tone. Olenna, Margery, and Loras were thinking of wishing to see him fight or prove some of the claims. "Alexios, How about a bet of sorts if you're up for the challenge?"

Olenna chuckled and thought of her plan. "We have a competition of the best knights we have against you. Just three men, First to surrender or is seen as unfit to continue. If we win then you agree to our pricing on our goods. If you win then you only have to pay about three fourths of the market price for the goods, deal?"

Alexios smiled and grabbed his greatsword before stepping closer showing his imposing height. "You'll regret it Lady Olenna if I fight. I have to try very hard to hold back to not kill my opponent." Loras gulped but his hand never left his hilt even if sweating and shaking. The group went outside to the training grounds where the knights and guards practiced.

Loras and two of the best knights they had lined up across from Alexios. "All of you can come at once, I have to leave tonight so i am in a rush." Loras looked at the other two, he himself wielded a sword and shield. Just like the one on his right and the man to the left wielded a long sword solely. They started to step around trying to surround the giant.

Alexios chuckled with his eyes closed for a few seconds. The air grew heavy as the humidity was high, the clouds overhead dark and angry. Lightning flashed and thunder roared across the skies. When the first drop of rain fell to the ground, Alexios swung on his right heel lifting his greatsword and going horizontally with its trajectory. The Knight to his right was the man with the single longsword who panicked when seeing the large piece of metal coming.

He tried to block with his sword but Alexios's greatsword cut straight through it and continued till at the edge of his neck. "Dead, leave." With a few words, Alexios quickly spun and lifted his sword diagonally blocked a downward slash from the second knight with the sword and shield. Loras was cautious and wary for good reason. Alexios simply let the sword glide along his greatsword before shrugging it off and kicking the man on the shield, cracking his reinforced shield and making him tumble to the ground.

Loras swung at his legs covering with his shield offering no openings to the giant. Alexios hopped over the blade and kicked out with both legs mid air at Loras's shield launching Loras away. A blade came down that Alexios rolled out of the way from as the knight he kicked before was slashing down at his prone figure. Alexios spun around and used his gauntlet to hit the side of the blade causing the man to drop it from the force of the hit. The man surrendered after seeing Alexios stand with his sword in hand.

Loras stood raggedly after tumbling on the ground now muddy from the rain. He stood just in time to see the knight surrender and raised his sword. A giant sword was thrown at him flying past the side of his face. Only leaving a cut on his cheek before embedding itself into the wall behind him. He fell onto his knees as the rain soaked him while seeing the giant step ever closer to him, his crimson eyes boring into his soul.

'Why did I ever try to fight him? I heard the tales and recounts of him. I even felt how dangerous he was by presence alone. Yet seeing him now makes me know I never stood a chance.' "I… I surrender…"

Olenna offered a bath to them all before their journey and they agreed. Alexios was given a large bath that could fit maybe four people, he agreed to make a large bathing area like the one from his past life. The Tyrell's and their guards were very quiet the entire way escorting them. Alexios just guessed he went overboard.

After the bath he went to the entrance to leave to see everyone ready or fastening some last buckles. Margery came up to Alexios in a quiet manner. "Sir Alexios, I hope you do approve of me travelling to see your home soon, possibly within the next six months to a year. I wish to spend more time with you to see if our hearts align." Alexios bowed and said with the best gentlemanly acting he knew. "Of course my lady, my home is your home and it will offer a warm welcome compared to the cold weather of the North."

The group left, a few chuckling at the way Alexios behaved while Tyene and Reana were in sour moods. William was about to say something when Nymeria glared at him. Alexios sighed and headed for the port hoping he could avoid the sea for a while once he got back home. Robb smiles at the stories he'll be able to tell his brothers about it all and shows them his training so far. The stormy clouds look erratic and unstable but in the distance, it seems to be breaking up so Alexios decided to leave with the worst case scenario of them docking before getting into deep waters.