Risen

Chapter Two: Strange Visitor and Stranger Events

55th day of Aires, 3 BJ (Before Judgment)

As Hearth finished up with his daily routine, which consisted of repairing his sword, crafting a work of art in metal (today it was an extremely thin rapier), and extinguish his forge, he heard a scream. After quick thinking, he realized it was Crystal's. She's unarmed! Hearth, without thinking, bolted for the town, swiftly clambering over anything that got in his way and his sister. Hearth saw a man with a sword pinning Hearth's sister up against a wall. The man rose his blade to strike. Hearth's world slowed around him. Everything except the people were turned to shades of gray. He leaped off the building he was on and rolled. He sprinted the gap. The world sped up. Hearth swung into the blow with his sword and body, shoving Crystal out of the way. Hearth kicked his foe away. They both slunk into a defensive stance. A stare off ensued. The stranger lunged. Hearth caught his adversary's blade and threw him to the ground, sending a shattered blade flying. Hearth quickly planted his right foot on the undisciplined stranger and Hearth held his blade at neck point.

"You are weak, undisciplined, and lucky," Hearth said without emotion.

"What do you mean, 'lucky'?" The stranger asked. "Your blade is at my neck!"

"Precisely. My blade is at your neck and I can easily kill you without much effort right now. I could have chosen to kill you in the dual. But I didn't. That's why you're lucky. I'm not a killer."

"Oh, I see now.... Why have you kept me alive?"

"Answers."

"Answers? I haven't heard any questions from you yet!"

"My questions don't need asking."

"What, are your questions 'Who are you? Why did you attack my girlfriend-?'"

"Sister."

"Sister, whatever. 'Where did you come from?' Are those your questions? Huh?!"

"Two things: One; bravado doesn't work in your situation, and Two; answer the questions."

"Heh, I can summarize my answers to a single word: Brisingr."

"I need a tad more info: hunting or running?"

"...."

"Silence will do you no good."

"...."

"We can be like this all day long. Do yourself a favor and answer me."

"...."

"What, are you a mass murderer on the run? Is that why you won't answer me?"

"I don't want to go back...."

"What do you mean 'You don't want to go back'? You can't go saying things like that and not expect questions!"

"I...."

"You what?"

"I... don't want to go back. I can't go back!"

By now the crowd had dispersed leaving Hearth and the stranger alone.

"What do you mean 'You can't go back'?"

"I can't go back.... Back to them...."

"Who?! I need answers!"

"How do you not recognize me?!" The stranger turned his head to try and look at Hearth.

"Wait...." Hearth had slightly taken some of his weight off of the stranger.

"...."

"...."