Chapter 11: Chapter XI
I don't know how I got here, but somehow I'm sitting down in one of the bedrooms in the Bannered Mare with Sofia, who is peeking outside the doorway making sure no one hears our conversation. At least, that's what I think she's doing, she is looking through the door but for some reason she's doing it in a way where her ass is up and swaying left to right.
"Don't know what's going through this perverts mind, but I'm not entertaining her with the thought."
She turns to me and sees me glaring at her, to her I appear angry, but coupled with the fact that I'm half orc, I also have been told that I've got a "resting bitch face" so really I didn't care about her dragging me into a lie.
Rather, I'm thinking about the fact that I met another modded follower in this world, I also used her in some of my playthroughs as well. But her jokes and everything always ruined my immersion. At least her being here confirmed my other suspicions with mod followers in this world.
Sofia: So, yeah, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to drag you in here. I didn't know what else to do without having Hulda on my ass.
Alexander: I could care less about your little lie. But why did you have to drag me into one of the bedrooms?!
Sofia: As far as she's aware, we're talking privately. I flirt, but realistically that's all she's seen me do, the rest of the girls here are more ornery then I am.
Sofia sits down on the bed, right next to me. Upon landing herself on the bed, she ends up bumping against me. She then gives me another seductive stare.
Sofia: Why? Does being alone with a woman as beautiful as me make you…nervous.
Now if this was under any normal circumstance, I'd be acting like a wreck with this woman, no questions asked! But because I now know who she is.
I hit her beside the head, and go to a seat across from her.
Sofia: Ow! You'd hit a woman?!
Alexander: I yearn for true gender equality. If anyone annoys me, regardless if you are a man, a woman, or someone's grandmother, I clobber you. That is what the two great warriors Yusuke and Kazuma taught me.
Sofia: Huh??
Alexander: *Sigh* I basically said you're annoying and in no way attractive, sexy, or pound-able in my eyes! That is to say if pound-able was used to mean hitting you with a warhammer, then I rescind that statement.
Sofia: You're such a mean jerk!
(Authors note: This is in no way disrespecting the hard work the modder put into this character! She was still fun to use and I know she still had some kinks! Thanks again for your contributions to the game!)
Alexander: Anyway, you still haven't explained the whole story, who're you, and how do you know my name?
"I'll still need to act like I don't know her, though if I'm being honest, she probably would have more of a hard time questioning my knowledge compared to Redcap."
Sofia then looks away for a second very awkwardly.
Sofia: Well…to be honest…I've been following you around.
I continue staring blankly at her, waiting for her to elborate.
Alexander: When and where?
Sofia: Where else? Riverwood obviously. I was passing through when I saw you sparring with those other guys a couple of weeks ago. You looked strong! Something in me was telling me this idea that seeing you again would be a good one. So I waited near Whiterun.
Alexander: How the hell did that end with you dressing as a server for the Inn?
Sofia: Well, long story short my patience grew thin, you took too long to get here I decided to drink to pass the time. Met a guy named Sam and winded up having a wild drinking contest that ended with my old armor gone along with my septim's. I spent my time sleeping in the stables until Hulda saw me and tried to help me out.
Alexander: She must regret that decision huh?
Sofia ignores what I say and continues on.
Sofia: I had to earn my keep temporarily until I got myself back to tiptop shape, unfortunately I may or may not have broken some plates, mugs, chairs, tables, and the occasional scummy jaw. Which led to my wages being put into repairing the damages. So for the time being I am stuck here. Unless…
Sofia looks at me with a mischievous smile.
Sofia:…Someone, decided to lend me a hand?
Alexander: And why would I do that? We may have just met, but I can already tell the type of person you are.
Sofia: Oh really? Can you tell that I'm an incredible adventurer? Talented fighter? Magician extraordinaire? Don't let my current garb fool you! I'm a seasoned adventurer! I can fight with the best of them! And you look like you're in need of some help!
Alexander: That maybe so, but no. Someone who gets drunk, has no sense of responsibility, and zero tolerance for authority cannot work under me. I have a plan and it needs to be done without any trouble. And if you can't meet those requirements, I refuse.
"I say that, but even an idiot can tell Sofia is useful. Whether I liked her mod or not is irrelevant in this world now. And I do need more capable and experienced warriors. But if she's going to act this desperate to join, I might as well have a little fun with it."
I get up and reach for the door, exiting the room, Sofia runs up and grabs me by the shoulder.
Sofia: Wait! You can't just leave! I can be an asset to you! I'm a good archer!
Alexander: I've already got my eyes on plenty of archers more skilled that I'll be recruiting.
Sofia: Well no one can match my swordplay!
Alexander:—Says any person with a sword in Tamriel.
Sofia: I'm also a great singer!
Alexander: So am I, but diddy's are the last thing we need at the moment when fighting Draugr, beasts, and animunculi.
Sofia continues to follow me until we finally reach downstairs, and surprisingly she still is trying her damnest to join my group, I stop in the kitchen and she pauses.
Alexander: *sighs* Fine. If you want to join that badly—
Sofia:—Please! Just tell me what it'll take to join your group!
Alexander: What is it, do you think my group does?
Sofia: Uh…it…uh?
Sofia struggles with trying to find the answer. It takes her 30 seconds exactly until I finally interrupt her deep thought process.
Alexander: Here's the thing Sofia, I require my group to be able to do certain tasks, it does require fighting, but also something else important. If you can't figure that out, that just tells me the kind of person you are.
Sofia: B-but—
Alexander:—Only, and only if you show me that you're capable of even comprehending what our goal is, will I allow you to work with me.
Author: Why'd you emphasized, with?
"Do you know who I'm talking to? If I said under me by mistake you know what'll go through her mind."
Author:…Fair.
Sofia: B-but how can I show you if you don't tell me??
Alexander: That's part of the test. If you can show me that you meet that requirement, that means it comes second nature to you, and that I can trust you. You have until my group leaves this inn.
Sofia: Huh?? How long will that be?!
Alexander: Don't know, might be awhile, might be now. Depends on how much my boys had to drink.
Before leaving I spot a note on a nearby table, with my curiosity getting the best of me I grab the note before leaving Sofia in the kitchen scratching her head furiously, wondering what to do.
"I'll have to admit, I didn't expect her to be struggling this hard. Just from her tenacity and stubbornness alone though, it definitely makes her worth recruiting."
I sit down next to Hadvar, who hands me a cup with mead.
Hadvar: Hey I noticed you were talking up that fine lass from before. What was that about?
Alexander: She wanted to join our cause.
Hadvar looks at me with a surprised expression, nearly choking on his drink in the process.
Hadvar: *Cough* Really? Someone wants to be recruited?? We've barely just started this little group of ours! Well, is she getting ready to leave with us?
Alexander: More or less. I gave her a little test. If she passes, then she joins.
Hadvar: What kind of test is it?
Alexander: She just needs to have an understanding of what our goal is.
Hadvar: Ah I get it! You're hoping to see if her morals match with our goals!
Alexander: More or less. But the end result of whether she fails or not doesn't matter.
Hadvar looks more confused, then Sven appears behind him appearing to be a little flushed.
Sven: Don'cha ge it sir? Our fearless leada is smar enuff, ta know how she issh. This test is for us.
Me and Hadvar both look at Sven wondering what the hell he's talking about. But then Hadvar slams the table.
Alexander: I think you've had enough to drink boy.
Before reaching my cup to my lips, a loud thud is heard, and when we turn we see a server on the ground trying to pick up and clean a mess she drops, and who was towering over her with impatience was none other then Nazeem.
Nazeem: You filthy little wench! Why don't you watch where you're going?!
Server: I-I'm sorry sir. B-but you appeared out of nowhere and-
Nazeem: What?!? Excuse me?! Are you suggesting it's my fault that you're a clumsy good for nothing? Am I really being talked down to by someone who looks like they haven't even stepped foot in the cloud district?!?
Alexander: Of course he was going to mention that.
Things begin to escalate when Nazeem suddenly grabs the girls hands, pulling her off the ground violently.
Alexander: Woah hang on!
Hulda grabs hold of my hand, stopping me before I could step away from my chair.
Hulda: Please don't! It'll be a death sentence!
Alexander: From that guy?? Oh sure, a realJyggalag that one.
Hulda: Not him! The big one in armor!
I turn my attention to a small figure donned in robes, they were rather scrawny, and I couldn't tell what race they were.
Apart of me wanted to look at Hulda and say, "Bitch please!" But I could tell something was off about them.
Skulvar the man who runs the stables, goes up to Nazeem calmly.
Skulvar: Easy Nazeem. It was just an accident.
Nazeem: Accident or not, she should learn from her mistakes, I deserve compensation for this outfit!
Skulvar: It's just mead, man!
Nazeem turns around impatiently to Skulvar and snaps his fingers. Just then the Breton looked alert and turned his attention.
Nazeem: If you have a problem with me, then turn to my bodyguard.
The robed figure slowly steps forward, Skulvar in a state of fear backs away, breaking out in a cold sweat.
Skulvar: N-now Nazeem, there's no need to be hasty!
I try to stop this but Hadvar moves close to my side and whispers.
Hadvar: Sir, we shouldn't try anything. That person next to the redguard is a mage.
Alexander: So that's why I felt so uneasy seeing them. But we shouldn't stand by like this.
Hadvar: Countrary to how he acts, Nazeem is actually very important, he owns Chillfurrow farm and Wintersand manor. Both those estates provide most of the rations the Jarl needs to supply the city. If anyone pisses him off, the Jarl will be forced to appease him.
Alexander: WAIT HE'S ACTUALLY A HOTSHOT?!?!
Hulda comes from behind me and taps my shoulder.
Hulda: That's why the mage is there as well. Some people wouldn't care what the Jarl would do because of Nazeem's attitude, so he hired that mage there. Rumors say they use to study at the college of winterhold and was able to go all the way up to expert level on every field of magic.
Alexander: Every field?! Damn it! Why is such an overpowered NPC here?!?
Sven drops to the floor and rolls to face me and Hadvar, with a straight face he looks seriously at the both of us.
Sven: Buh sirrr, weh hav ya figh fo da peepal.
Hadvar: How much have you drunk???
"I can't believe I'm saying this, but Sven's right. I came into a world where it's possible to actually beat up Nazeem and I have to miss out on it?!? THAT'S LUDICROUS!!!
Nazeem: Now then-
Nazeem grabs hold of the servers hair and pulls her up with a sadistic smile.
Nazeem: You'll have to give me 80% of your earned wages to make up for the price of my clothes.
Server: P-please, I need most of that money for my siblings.
Nazeem: Good, then have them serve under me, with their help, your bill will be paid in about 10 years!
Nazeem starts to laugh in the most condescending way, and every fiber of my being starts to get really ticked off.
Alexander: Screw that noise! I'm punting that bitch to oblivion before that mage even touches me!
Hulda and Hadvar both individually grab my arms, trying to stop me from pressing on. I try my hardest to rip away from their grips, but then I stop, as I see Sofia walk from behind Nazeem.
Sofia: Hey buddy.
She grabs Nazeem's shoulder and as he turns around impatiently to see Sofia, she punches him square in the jaw.
Everyone in the room stood still as they witnessed this girl crazy enough to punch this annoying prick, as they all shared the same thought: Oh…Shit.
Nazeem falls to the ground, he turns to see Sofia towering over him cracking her knuckles. In fear he looks to his bodyguard and yells.
Nazeem: DON'T JUST STAND THERE!!! KILL THIS WHORE!!!
The mage activates a flame spell from both hands and points to Sofia, but before they could even activate the spell, Sofia jumps forward, causing the mage to flinch and trip backwards, and is put in a head lock by Sofia.
Sofia: I maybe the last person to give this kind of advice, but I suggest picking a better employer then him sweetie.
Mage: Get off me!
The mage vanishes from Sofia's hold and appears behind her.
Mage: Novice level Conjuration Magic: Bound Sword!
The mage conjures a glowing ominous sword from thin air and points it to Sofia.
All the patrons besides me, my companions, Hulda, and Nazeem, exit in a hurry to avoid the crossfire.
The mage swings the sword towards Sofia, but she backs away in time before she could be hit.
Sofia then grabs hold of a sword left behind and trades blows with the mage, holding them off fairly well. The mage starts to grow impatient and backs away.
Mage: Expert Level Conjuration Magic: Storm Atronach!
Two monsters made of stone and lightning appear from the shadows, towering over Sofia.
Sofia backs away in fear as she is surrounded by these powerful creatures.
Mage: You're admirably strong, but I have a job to do. Nothing personal.
Before the atronachs could attack I appear before them and block the spells they fired with a shield, damaging me a bit in the process.
Sofia: Y-you?? You saved me??
Alexander: I did.
Sofia: But why?
Alexander: Same reason why you saved that girl I suppose. So, will you just stand there? Or will you get up and prove your worth?
Sofia scoffs at me with a smile, and gets up, brandishing her sword.
Joining us was Sven, and Hadvar, who draw their weapons out as well.
Hadvar: I wanted to avoid this confrontation, don't know why I thought that was possible.
Sven: I've sobered up a bit so let's do this! This will mark the first lyric to my ballad!
Alexander: Appreciate the loyalty boys, Hadvar you and I will take on the atronachs, Sven, cover Sofia and take out the mage!
We all charge forward, the atronachs attempt to attack Sofia again but both Hadvar and I bash the beasts, pushing them back with all our might and causing them to lose their footing as Sofia and Sven charge to the Mage.
Mage: Get away! Expert Level Alteration Magic: EbonyFlesh!
A magic aura envelopes the annoyed mage as they prep for another spell.
Novice Level Conjuration Magic: Bound Sword!
A second sword appears from thin air and into the mage's empty hand, now duel wielding 2 swords, the mage charges to Sofia and Sven.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
NightStarLive
NightStarLive this part was hard for me to draw. It’s going to be even worse trying to figure out how two draw two separate fights. Wish me luck!
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