[Ridge]
In front of a half open window stands a bald man with a grizzly beard and baggy clothing. He reminds me of Sir Kierce, if Sir Kierce had never heard of a shower, and stopped working out. Basically, if Sir Kierce resembled the warriors who founded the Empire, then this man is the primordial version of those warriors.
There's also another outstanding similarity. This man reeks with the scent of alcohol and muddy water. The smell is so strong it's dizzying, causing me to reach up and desperately try to cover my nose. My mouth too, it's almost tangible in the air.
"Answer the questions!"
He staggers to the side in surprise, catching himself right before the face-plant point of no return. He's leaning all of his weight, which is quite a bit, against the countertop of the kitchen island. If he managed to climb in the window this off balance, he's got me beat. With my ankle behaving the way it is, I'd have trouble just opening the shutters.
"Who are you?" I repeat sternly.
He slurs, "Woahh man, you gotta give a guy some warning, ya'know?" He looks around confused, somehow letting his attention wander away from the man holding the sword in front of him. I take it back, he's nothing like Sir Kierce.
Sure Sir Kierce is a drunkard, but he doesn't lose all signs of intelligence after consuming alcohol. I hate that I don't know whether to think about him in the past or present tense. We definitely need to establish contact with the Ravenous guard once they settle in the south.
"Your name!" I demand, pointing my sword at him. He flinches and tries to back up, only to run into the wall below the open window.
Then this dumbass gets even fucking dumber. I really didn't think that was possible. He starts trying to climb back out the window. I'm not even fired up anymore, I'm just real damn confused. Who is this strange man?
I limp over to him, trying to conceal my vulnerable ankle as much as I can. Not that he could identify any of my weaknesses in this sorry state, much less use them against me. I grab onto the back of his grimy shirt and yank him backwards with most of my remaining strength. I'm already starting to feel exhausted again.
I better have enough energy left after this to make food or I'm gonna be pissed. I'm so hungry.
I look down at him as he hits the floor, "Tell me who you are, and what you're doing here." He glances at me a few times, eyes darting away nervously while he examines his now aching body for injuries.
"I don't no nothin! You won't get anything from me." He crosses his arms over his chest in defiance. Am I dealing with a toddler or a grown man right now?
"Your. Name. Now." I punctuate each word by lifting my foot a few inches each breath in between, until I'm threatening to kick him.
Cruel, I know, but it's an empty promise. Much like all my promises have been lately. My foot hurts too much to kick him.
Instead of answering me, the smart thing to do, the man sitting at my feet suddenly breaks down into tears.