Chapter 2: Half I

A/N: Yay! Got this up today also! Finally satisfied with Chapter 1. R&R!

Eventually, Arya had managed to convince Eragon and Angela to come learn more about the man she had found. Solembum, as usual, decided to tag along without need of invitation. When walking back to the spot where she had found the man, a small, one-man red tent was visible beside the path she had taken the previous day. The man, who now wore a gray tunic and brown leggings, sat in a folding chair. A half-heart was embroidered onto the chest of his tunic, with runes from the same unknown language that was on the cube. When they neared the man, he lazily opened his eyes, grunting in acknowledgement. He reached under the chair, pulling out the cube, and the orb set into the top glowed red. He proceeded to continuously rotate the cube, in a seemingly random pattern, and would sometimes turn a knob or press the side. Eventually, the cube let out a small click, and the bottom portion of the cube opened. The trio stepped closer to get a better look at what was inside.

Concealed in the cube was an egg, webbed with veins of emerald green. Eragon, Angela, and Arya stared at it in a shocked wonder. Seeing their expressions, he turned to Arya with a disappointed look. "Am I really that untrustworthy? I mean, come on! I swore that I was telling the truth… I'd go on, but I'm really not in the mood to get out a graph and make a trustworthiness meter…" Angela let out a short bark of laughter at this, causing the man to grin.

"If you need a name, call me Half. Don't bother with the introductions, as I already know your names. And if you ever are curious as to what race I belong to, just don't ask. I tried to explain it once, but people just get confused. And don't ask why I'm called Half either. That's an even harder explanation."

Half then proceeded to take the egg out of the cube and handed it to Arya. "By the way, that egg will hatch for a female elf. Don't let anyone touch it for about 3 weeks. By then I might have a better answer for you.'

Angela then perked up, interested. "How do you know this?"

"It's simple. I asked. Now, if you ever have need of me, just scry me. Now, if you will excuse me, I'm going to regain my strength." And with that, Half picked up the cube and folding chair and walked into his tent, closing the flap behind him.

A/N: How do you like Half as a character? Yes, the title is related in some way or another to him and my name: HalfHeartPwner. If you didn't realize that, I'm genuinely disappointed. Tell me what you think!

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See you soon! Although, won't be able to update until November 2. Sorry.

-HHP