The followers of an unheard-of-god from another land followed omens that led them to you. The omens indicate that you are to be the mate of an avatar (earthly incarnation) of their god. You disagree but are still harassed by the god's followers.
While foraging or hunting for food, you have an encounter with a trapped predatory beast. Instead of slaying it, you free it. The freed beast disappears. Later, you are trapped by a falling log. The same beast reappears, aiding and freeing you.
Political. A politcial enemy might inlcude a local magistrate, a noble who rules the region, or a monarch ruling the kingdom. the NPC might have offended a local ruler,become an outlaw, or a be a political rival.