Days have past since Solomon met with the Martell and the Daynes. The Martells however said they have a duty to report this finding of further lands to their overlords the Targareyans.
It couldn't even be hidden because the future Queen was amongst them as I explained about my culture but a compromise was reached by Elia wanting to tie me to Dorne or Westeros in some way.
A betrothal agreement was passed between me and Ashara Dayne for me to marry into the Dayne family. The only reason they agreed is because of the promised backing of Elia Martell and Doran Martell to them if it goes through as it ties foreign blood to them.
Luckily, Ashara isn't the heir. That goes to her brother, Garrick Dayne who has been fighting bandits in the Red Mountains. They don't need more alliances now but they want to consolidate their strength and injecting new and powerful magic blood into their bloodline again.
I agreed as frankly it was a better plan than I had concocted. This also puts me against the future coalition of the Starks, Baratheons and Arryns. Truthfully I am only using my knowledge as a guideline to compare to what the differences are.
As this is a real world and not a novel I can only use my knowledge of future events a bare guideline that most likely isn't accurate with all the changes in the world.
But one thing I noticed is Elia is not as weak or sickly as George described her. Maybe it's the ambient mana in the air subtly strengthening those with magical heritage or bloodlines but she doesn't look like someone who the wind might blow away. She looks a bit malnourished for someone of her station but it might be a genetic effect instead of something she can control.
As I musing to myself it seems I walked into the training yard of the Daynes. I could see several soldiers and recruits training together while knights sharpened their skills against one another.
I watched them strike at each other and came to a conclusion… they are all weak. At the level of a recruit of Caria after months of training and this is the level of their knights. Maybe it's because they never had to fight monsters just to go see their friends but still.
With this as a baseline… I can honestly say the famed Arthur Dayne might not impress me so much.
"Hey! Foreigner! Come down to the yard scared of getting a thrashing?" jeered Garrick Dayne in the company of three other knights who subtly positioned themselves to back him up in a fight.
I mentally scoffed at the amateur goading but decided… yes… I needed an example to portray just how much we Inbetweeners are superior to them. The talented heir of a martial house will do just fine. I even know the exact routine to use.
I climbed down the stairs into yard proper with my greatsword still at my back. I felt for my swiss army knife in my pocket and was satisfied when I touched it.
Yes… this would do just fine.
"I have told you… you Westerosi are… weak. Especially compared to my people. There is nothing to be ashamed of. Most races are weak compared to us." I said taking his mind back to one of the conversations I had with the rulers about us and how strong we are.
"I should cut you down for speaking to the heir of Starfall like that but as a merciful lord I allow you to draw your sword and defend your honour." he said while drawing his sword. A decent steel make all things considered.
"Fine. A duel then. Not to the death… I rather Ashara not try to avenge you later down the line." I said while inadvertently calling him weak and would need a woman to defend him. He could barely contain his rage as he got into a deuling starting position ready to pounce as the knight in charge of the bout was about to begin.
I still left my greatsword strapped to my back and pulled out my knife which is being strengthened by reinforcement mana making it almost as strong as top quality steel swords. Brandished it and pointed it at him and gestured that I was ready.
"Hey, have you lost your wits… use your sword I don't want to kill a defenceless man." he said but his body language told me he doesn't care tho.
"I'm not a wild beast who goes all out to hunt a rabbit. For you, this will be enough."
That seemed to send a wave of agitation through the crowd as all of them stared at me with hateful eyes and if Garrick could strike me down by sight he would have.
"Don't complain when you arrive in the seven hells then!" and immediately started sprinting towards me with a telegraphed high feint to a side ways slash with a lot of power.
With some mana injected into my voice to make my voice more clear and travel farther into the ears of everyone nearby.
"Frog in the well, come and see how big the world is."
KLIIINKKKK
I parried his sword with my dagger and rolled my wrist and his sword went flying out of his hands landing some ways away. In a single motion used the enhanced dagger to tear apart the light leather armour he wore with a slice causing a long thin injury that would most likely scar.
"I expected to be disappointed yet you were worse than expected. Darken my sight no longer." I said as I watched his body crumple due to the shock of the blow. Some of them held their swords in protection of their liege, others rushed over and carried him to receive treatment.
I just stood there staring at them all. Evaluating my time here. As I am now I am the most powerful man on this continent even diminished as I am till magic returns.
Do I really need to play the game of thrones?