An attacker pins Sam in the opening scene, threatens to maim him and declares 'I'm only taking your arm' after Sam begs for mercy. The assault leaves Sam injured; afterward he feels like a completely different person. A tense reveal follows when Sam asks if the man is really his brother. The man confesses he was too weak before to protect Sam and vows to change that. He promises to send Sam to study in Auria and to join him once he finishes things here, leaving their planned departure dependent on his unresolved task.