He felt the sunlight on his bare skin before he even opened his eyes. The contrast of the warm light and the cold bitter wind hitting his skin made his aching body all the more sensitive. His neck ached from the awkward position it was in for so long but despite the pain he slowly moved. He tried to open his eyes but the light caused him to shut them back up as well as raising his right arm and placing his hand in front of his face as if to try and shield his eyes from the vibrant sunlight. A pained moan escaped his throat as he tried to hoist himself with his other arm though he found it difficult.

Loke slowly sat up while trying to carefully open his eyes to get a bearing on his location. He looked around but saw nothing that could help him identify the location he was in, it was just rocks peaking out from fresh fallen snow as far as the eye could see. He took a deep breath, even his lungs ached. He stopped moving for a moment and looked around though this time he was trying desperately to remember the previous night but he couldn't. He didn't remember anything after he left his home. He remembered saying good-bye to his two-year-old son before leaving instructions to the Argonian woman he'd asked to look after him while he made a short trip to gather some supplies. How long ago was it? Was it a day ago? Two? How long had he'd been passed out in the snow? Why did he pass out? Where was he and how on Nirn did he even get there? Was the sun rising or setting? He didn't know what was going on.

He looked at his palm and focused on it, for some reason it grounded him, he recalled the color red but it was all he remembered. Time felt fragmented into small pieces that had scattered in the wind and he had no idea of where to place himself within it.

As Loke kept examining his hand he'd failed to notice a man's voice calling out to him. It wasn't until he lowered his hands that he saw four Redguard men in front of him and for a moment he was confused. When had he gotten back home?

"Hey," One of the men spoke in a soft tone, "are you alright?"

The man, tall, muscular, dark braided hair with eyes and skin to match looked at Loke and as soon as their eyes met the stranger lowered his guard. Familiarity replaced the concern in his eyes.

"First time?"

"What?" Loke managed to utter. He didn't understand the question.

"Yeah," the Redguard nodded, "everyone has a hard time during their first time. Are you hurt?"

"Um…I—I—no, I don't think so. Not too bad at least. What day is it?"

"It's Tirdas."

"What!?" Loke yelled out. "Where the fuck am I?"

"Hey, hey, easy." The Redguard calmly walked towards the Nord and very slowly removed his fur-lined cape and wrapped it around his naked body. "Take a breath, you're safe with us. Let's get you somewhere warm."

As soon as Loke stood up he flinched as he put weight on his right leg, upon further inspection he and the Redguards noticed a stab wound on his calf. One of the other men moved quickly to wrap a long glove around his calf to prevent any bleeding and further damage to the wound. The group helped Loke across the terrain.

About five minutes from his location the group came upon a wooden building lined with some of the most vibrant and most beautiful flowers he had ever seen. The aroma in the air was enough to relax him and soothe him. Two of the Redguard jogged ahead, most likely to get help or at the very least announce their arrival and Loke's injury.

"Don't worry, the Orc that runs this place is a friend. You're safe here. No vigilants of Stendarr around these parts." The Redguard said as he smiled at Loke.

"Vigilants?"

Before the Redguard could answer the front door to the building swung open and there stood an Orc. As soon as Loke looked at him all the air in his lungs was sucked out and he suddenly lost his voice. He was tall, wide but muscular, dark long silky hair draped over his right shoulder with a woodsy adornment on the right side of his head, mesmerizing and dazzling blue eyes. He was the most exquisite and beautiful Orc he'd ever seen. Loke's heart had stopped momentarily.

"Trevor? What happened?" The Orc asked as he rushed over.

"Found a stray on our way here. Looks like it was his first full moon." Trevor spoke up with a smile as he looked at the Orc.

"Let's get him inside."

His voice was softer than the finest silk in all the land. As the Orc put Loke's other arm around him he could feel the hair on his arms raise and his cheeks burn. He smelled like bouquet of exotic flowers.

Both men helped Loke inside the building which turned out to be tavern. The place was as charming and as pleasant as the perceived owner, flowers, specifically lavenders adorned the inside, their floral aroma was strong yet soothing to the senses. They walked Loke into one of the rooms and set him down on the bed. The Orc noticed the bloody cloth around his calf and removed it revealing the deep stab wound. Loke winced when the Orc grabbed his leg and softly apologized.

"This will need sutures." He said to himself and then turned to Trevor.

However, before he could say anything Trevor smiled and said, "I'll get the kit."

"And some clothes too, please."

"Please don't trouble yourselves. I'm—"

"It's no trouble at all." Loke and the Orc locked eyes and for a moment time seemed to break or stop or slow down, neither could really tell as they stared at each other lost in a swirl of pale green and vibrant blue.

"I'm Uthorim, by the way." The Orc introduced himself.