3.

My senses didn't take long to return to my body.

First I felt the ice cold wind whip across my face, like a dunmer slave driver, as the heavily needled leaves that hung from Valenwoods branches slapped across my cheeks.

Second I noticed the whistle of the wind rush over my ears, I realised that it never stopped going since I fell asleep.

Third was the taste, old leather, and I noticed that my mouth my open as I was holding onto my saviours back. I clamped in shut in disgust and when I did I heard him chuckle.

The smell of the trees that were heavily laden with pollen rushed up my nose and I had grit my teeth to stop myself to tumble into a coughing fit. Something that could risk me letting go of the man's back, and on my list of uncomfortable death, dying half naked, cold and wet on the ground whilst being eaten by wild animals was pretty high on my list.

Finally I gathered enough strength to open my eyes; it wasn't really the strength to open them that was needed, just merely the strength to deal with what I would see once I opened them.

I was greeted by the gentle beams of starlight as they twinkled silently overhead. You know my father always used to say, that when we die the stars become markers for our souls, religion was a very big deal for my father it seemed. I was on top of the Bosmer who fought at the village, his greying black hair that was like bow string against my face. He was jumping, rising with incredible acrobatic skill, even for a fellow bosmer I found it unusual.

I clutched, my fingers going deeper into the leather as we passed another gate. I almost wish you were there to see them. The tears for my family forgotten I looked at the giant portal with raw amazement. I knew the danger that clutched around those things, but still it was hard to fight the temptation. The small niggling sensation like a splinter in my mind, that refused to stay put, forcing me to stare at the gates beauty and wonder what strange and exotic lands lie out just beyond my reach past the magical fire.

The man must have felt me stir because I could feel him slowing down a little bit. "I realise that you have had a very tiring day youngling" He whispered to me, his creaky voice almost drowned in magicka that I could feel charming me."But you need to rest; you will have a very difficult life ahead of you"

I nodded in compliance, my eyes feeling heavy and my legs and arms numb. My senses quickly broke away from the world around me. I smiled towards the darkness that wrapped itself around me, welcoming it like an old friend as the sounds of the daedra swarming the forest became as pleasant and familiar as a mothers kiss.

When I woke up I was greeted by the deep chasm of pain that is known only to those who survived a knife to the gut. With a groan I pushed myself up so that I was sitting. Within minutes and young woman- a redguard came into the room, but it was more like a crypt, with its marble walls and fine wood...and coffins... It was a crypt! I let out a yell as tried to get to the door, the wound stooped me like a net as I fell to the ground with a solid thump.

"This is going to hurt" She whispered as the white light of restorative magic leapt from her fingertips.