Authors note: Last chapter I explained how I was concerned with how I'll be writing out the two separate fights naturally, and now I have come up with a solution. Hopefully, you'll enjoy it like this.
Thank you, and please remember to share this story and follow!
Alexander and Hadvar vs Storm Atronachs:
With both of our backs against each other, Hadvar and I kept our guards up while the storm atronachs circle around us, looking ready to attack.
Hadvar: Don't suppose you've got some miraculous way to beat these damn beasts?
Alexander: Believe me I'm thinking!
Hadvar: Well think harder! We're going to die if we don't do anything!
Alexander: Easy for you to say! You've got more health then me—
WAIT THATS IT!!!
Hadvar: What?!
I slam my shield against Hadvar, prompting him to take it, hesitantly he grabs it while looking very puzzled. Then I pull out two of the Stormcloak hero axes from my harness.
Alexander: How confident are you with a shield?
Hadvar: I was able to block several attacks from Altmer spells and swords during the war.
Alexander: Good, you tank the hits, and I deal the damage!
I charge towards one of the storm atronachs, and swings my axe with all my might, draining most of my stamina in the process, the storm atronach flinches in response, but the other one drifted behind me ready to strike with a lightning bolt!
Hadvar: NOT TODAY!!
Hadvar jumps in front and bashes the storm atronach, causing it to lose its footing and interrupting its attack.
Hadvar: Alexander! This one is open!
I run up to Hadvar, jumping on top of his shield like a platform towards the dazed atronach and hitting it with a spinning strike from the axes, before landing and hitting it with an uppercut slash, then back away to gain some distance.
Both atronach's finally gets themselves situated and look at the both of us angry and charge forward, ignoring any chance to attack with spells and thrusting their fists towards Hadvar and I.
Back to back Hadvar looks at me and I to him, in that brief second the two of us nod our heads in unison as if we spoke through our minds, knowing exactly the next move to make. Before the attacks successfully land, we duck simultaneously, avoiding the hits and getting the atronachs to hit each other.
Taking advantage of the confusion between the two monsters Hadvar throws a shield to me while I toss one of my axes against the atronach in front of Hadvar. He grabs hold of the axe and the both of us swing as many times as we could against the monsters, until finally they both disappear.
Hadvar and I breath heavily trying to catch our breaths, then Hadvar looks at me and crosses his arms with a smirk.
Hadvar: Did you seriously spin mid air just to attack the atronach.
Alexander: Ah shut up, it was cool and you know it—wait what about Sven and that woman?!
Sofia and Sven vs. Mysterious Mage:
As they slowly approach the angry and impatient mage, Sofia moves closer to Sven, stopping him from going forward while still maintaining a fighting stance.
Sofia: Ok pal, how skilled are you against mages?
Sven: Not much I'm afraid, and I've only just gotten better at fighting recently.
Sofia: Great, so I'm paired with a milk drinker.
Sven scoffs.
Sven: I'll have you know that I am a warrior bard trained by the Bards college, and tutored in the art of combat by many able bodied men! And besides…
Sven smirks and moves closer to Sofia and whispers.
Sven:…I happen to have been taught the effective way to fight a mage, and listen closely.
Sven and Sofia continue to whisper to one another until the mage finally grows testy enough that they begin to yell.
Mage: FOR THE LOVE OF OBLIVION WILL YOU TWO STOP YOUR CHATTING AND FIGHT ME!!!
The two finally stop and revert their attentions back to the mage.
Sofia: You sure about this?
Sven: It's the best course of action, just trust me.
Sofia: Fine, if we get out of this alive than I'll reward you a minute.
Sven turns to her confused.
Sven: A minute of what?
Sofia gives Sven a flirty look and walks towards the mage with Sven following behind, the two charge towards the Mage, swinging their swords wildly towards them, however, all their attacks prove useless at the mage for they continue to block and parry every hit, then they proceed to strike at Sven who drops his sword.
Sven: Gods no! Please have mercy!!
Sven runs off in leaving Sofia against the Mage, who laughs at what they witnessed.
Mage: You really decided to put your trust in that milk-drinker?! Hahaha! That fool decided to leave you to die!
Sofia: Tch! I work better alone anyway! Come at me!
Sofia strikes her sword towards the Mage, who continues parrying each strike. Sofia then leans her sword behind her back and delivers a two handed downward strike, however the Mage blocks the strike with both Conjured swords and launches Sofia to the air, causing her to flip around in the air.
Sofia lands on the other side behind the Mage, grabbing hold of the sword Sven lost. Now with two swords, Sofia continues to strike the mage, pushing them back with each attack until they reach a standstill.
Mage: You're certainly impressive with the blade.
Sofia: You're not too bad yourself, haven't felt this overwhelmed since that night in the Dibella temple. Although…
Sofia kicks the Mage in the gut, causing them to fall to the ground, and drop their conjured swords which disappear soon after.
Sofia: You could do with more protection.
The Mage struggles to catch their breath for awhile, but then chuckles.
Mage: You aren't wrong. However you're forgetting one thing.
Sofia flutters her eyes innocently.
Sofia: Oh yeah? What's that?
In response the Mage lights a large flame from their hand with a sinister smile.
Mage: I'm no swordsman.
The Mage launches a firebolt to Sofia, getting knocked back against a wall, the Mage walks slowly over to Sofia with a smile on their hooded face.
Mage: Sorry it had to end like this, you and I could've been great friends I feel.
Sofia: Yeah, too bad about the circumstances. By the way, how long is that Ebonyflesh spell suppose to last?
The Mage looks at Sofia puzzled.
Mage: It just ended now…why?
Sofia shrugs and looks up with a smile.
The Mage turns her attention upward and much to their shock finds Sven only a few feet above them with a dagger in hand and a cheeky grin on his face.
1 week ago:
Sven, Alexander, and the rest of the group sit together enjoying a dinner at the Sleeping Giant Inn.
Alexander: Another great day of back breaking training! Good work you crazy lot! Soon enough we can fight anything! Whether it's Bandits, Dragons, or Bears!
They clink their mugs together and start to dig their hands into the delicious spread of food on the table.
While drinking some potato soup, Sven looks at Alexander with concern.
Sven: Sir…if you don't mind me asking, we'll have to fight mages at some point too, yes?
Alexander: That's usually within the realm of possibility. Why do you ask?
Alexander munches on a Horker loaf and takes a drink of water while looking at Sven puzzled.
Sven: Well, how're we supposed to fight mages? There's a reason why Nords don't like them so much. Spells are dangerously powerful. They can conjure allies and weapons, make themselves invisible, levitate, anything within the realm of possibility! So what can we do against something like that??
Everyone starts to stare anxiously at Alexander with a look that says they were curious to know the answer as well. But Alexander simply takes a large bite of his loaf, chews, and swallows. Then looks at Sven with a smirk and laughs.
Alexander: Well that's true! We're most likely to die from those crafty bastards! Ahahaha! But do you know what most mages have in common?
Everyone including Sven raises their eyebrow.
Alexander: They always keep their distance from attackers, and that's what we can use against them!
Sven and everyone look confused.
Alexander: Try to imagine this, barely any mages would wear anything but a robe, you've noticed this right?
Hadvar nods.
Hadvar: Aye, usually they never wear armor. Don't know why.
Alexander snaps his fingers and points to Hadvar.
Alexander: Ladies and gentlemen we have a winner because that is correct! Most mages never wear armor, that means no protection. So to make up for that, they'll either cast an Alteration skin spell, or most likely gain distance from others.
Sven: Ok, so what can we do then?
Alexander: Simple, overwhelm them! Have even just one ally you can trust to distract the mage, and strike when they're most vulnerable!
Sven: But mages are very meticulous, surely a trick that simple won't work.
Alexander: It can, mages are meticulous, but they're also overconfident at times. All you need to do, is give them a reason to ignore you.
Back to present:
I turn around to see the Mage pinned down by Sven and Sofia pointing a sword towards them.
Alexander: Huh…and here I was almost worried about you two.
Sofia: Aw, you would worry about me handsome? I guess I could use a snuggle for consolation.
Sofia walks towards me with open arms, but I stop her just in time by placing my hand against her face, and pushing her away.
Alexander: Seem fine to me.
Sofia: Aw come on! I fought hard ya know!
Alexander: Then seek comfort from someone else, now then…
I turn to Nazeem, hiding behind the bar counter, peeking his Weasel-y head above to see what was happening, only to be met with a tall angry halfbreed who lifts him up with one arm.
Alexander: So…you going to tell your personal wanker over there to cool it, or are we going to have a problem?
Nazeem: Y-you can't do this to me! I provide Whiterun its rations! I deserve better treatment then this!
Alexander: You only deserve as much as you give. And right now I see a man who deserves to get his ass thrown through the roof, unless you decide to apologize and cease this stupidity.
I glare daggers at the small Redguard, until he finally gives in, knowing full well the consequences won't be worth it.
Nazeem: ALRIGHT FINE!! Matilda! Don't persist! You don't need to fight them!
Sven: Matilda?
The mages hood falls back to reveal a beautiful Breton woman with a large scar above her eyes, and golden colored hair. Sven albeit from an awkward angle was able to witness her beautiful face and he subtly blushes at the sight.
Alexander: Sven, let her go now.
Sven didn't seem to hear me, instead he continued to stare at the mage, aw someone's got a crush! But we've got no time for this.
Alexander: Sven? Sven? SVEN!!!
Sven snaps back to reality as he jolts his head towards me, loosening his grip and letting Matilda go free.
Sven: Apologies sir!
I walk up to the mage, still sitting on the floor tired, then like a gentleman offer her my hand, helping her up.
Alexander: No hard feelings I hope.
Upon close inspection I began to notice more details on the mages face, most noticeably her eyes, they were clouded in gray. The girl was blind, yet somehow she could fight all of us no problem. Who the hell was she?
The mage smiles at me as she lets go of my hand.
Matilda: None at all. I haven't had such a riveting fight in awhile.(whispers) Especially since being assigned to that dolt.
Matilda looks at Sofia and shakes her hand.
Matilda: You're a worthy fighter, next time I see you I expect a rematch.
Sofia grins happily to the mage.
Sofia: Likewise.
Matilda then moves to Sven who stares blankly at her.
Matilda: As for you, I didn't expect such strategy from a Nord like yourself. Very intriguing indeed. I hope we meet again.
Matilda looks back at me, prompting that I drop her boss, I albeit disappointingly oblige, placing the coward back down on his feet, then Matilda motions to Nazeem towards the door.
In the corner Hulda is seen hiding under a table looking at her inn ruined.
Hulda: My Inn! Everything is ruined! It'll take me months to repair this!
I walk up to her with a smile however and place my hand on her shoulder.
Alexander: Don't worry about the damages, we'll help clean everything.
Hulda: You will?
Alexander: Of course, however…
I throw my axe towards Nazeem before he exits, hitting the door frame beside him.
Alexander: We don't really have any money, so surely our friend from the "cloud district" could provide us with the necessary funds.
Nazeem: What!? Why would I-
Sofia clears her throat as she rests her sword on her shoulder, Nazeem then sees Hadvar and Sven smirking, in a desperate attempt he looks at Matilda, who is already outside.
Nazeem: Matilda! Come here and do your job!!
Matilda walks over to the jeweler Fralia, pretending not to hear Nazeem.
Matilda: Wow, these really were made by Eorlund Gray-mane?! The craftsmenship is amazing! Perhaps I should buy some for my mother.
Nazeem: WHAT ARE YOU DOING YOU USELESS MAGE!?!? Gah! Fine! I'll cover the repairs.
Sven: Don't forget the 20% labor fee.
Sven says with a large smile on his face, Hadvar taps his shoulder looking very proud.
Nazeem: 20%?!?
Hadvar: Each, Me, the boss, Sven, and Sofia there.
Nazeem: I REFUSE!! IF YOU THINK ILL GIVE YOU THAT MUCH GOLD YOU ALL ARE MORE MAD THEN-
A large veiny hands creeps from the shadows behind Nazeem, landing on his shoulder and delivering a chill down his spine, as he turns he sees my bone chilling grin, looking down at him with a threatening aura. As he sees me a stream of piss trickles down, soiling his pants.
Nazeem: T-twenty percent it is.
He smiles nervously.
Alexander: Thank you so much for your services sir Nazeem, we peasants greatly appreciate the charity.
Nazeem: N-no problem.
With a tear running down his eye, Nazeem becomes dejected and hesitantly walks into the inn and hands the group a bag full of septims, equating to about 1800 gold.
Nazeem: There! 1000 for the damages and 20% work fee each! Now can I leave?
Alexander: Of course…
Nazeem walks out through the door.
Alexander:…Oh and don't let the door hit you on the way out!
Hadvar who was behind the door slams it closed, which cause Nazeem to land on his face straight into the dirt.