Avpke: We would like to thank everyone who read the second chapter.
Cubby: Here have a cookie! *Holds out tray of cookies.*
Ren: Mine! *Tackles then runs away with cookies.*
Cubby: *Twitches on the floor then stands up with rolling pin of doom and runs after the wraith.*
Avpke: *Sweat drops.* Well… Um…Now, on with the next chapter! Cubby! Don't kill Ren! We still need him for the next chapter! *Runs after her.*
Disclaimer: See first chapter.
Chapter 3 - Ship
Hyano's flowers opened as the sun started to peak in through the window. She groaned, then pushed herself up. She felt stiff all over. She grumbled lightly to herself as she noticed why. She had passed out on the floor again. Well, at least she hadn't left the fire burning. She swore she had burnt the forest down more than once. She stretched out like a cat, her shoulders popping before jumping up to her feet, then folded her blankets and tossed her pillow back where she had gotten them from before going over to the cauldron and opened the top.
"Perfect. Still warm." She said before pouring herself a bowl and walking over to the cot. She jumped up on it and started to eat. After a moment she realized there was another body on the cot. She looked up and yelped, nearly falling off of the simple bed. For a little while she had honestly forgotten everything that happened the day before. Including him following her home. "Oh uh... good morning, Ren." she said sheepishly, not sure what else to do or say.
While she walked around her home, he didn't wake up just then, too much concentrating on resting, but when she jumped up next to him, his hooded head jerked up, first looking forward, then on either side before finding her again. He watched her for a little while, with the staff still across his lap as she started... gulping down that disgusting substance. He couldn't help but lean back slightly from it. Of course he couldn't get sick, seeing he doesn't have a true body, but that didn't mean he couldn't be displeased with certain smells and things. She didn't even seem to mind that he was resting... Disturbing him in such a rude way... Maybe he did a mistake by letting her live. He should have brought down her own staff on her neck. He looked away from her, but returned his gaze to the dwarf once she talked, now finally acknowledging him. She said his name and a bunch of other words he did not understand. He didn't even care at the moment, but wanted to let her know he did not like it when she did this. Sitting onto the cot while he was there, especially when he was resting. To give voice to it, he grabbed the staff once more and poked her side, then shoved her down the cot again the same way as yesterday.
"Annnoyyiiinnng..." he repeated, distorting the word the same way he did the day before, then pulled the wooden item back, resting it once more across his lap, watching her.
The wizard blinked as she was pushed down the cot. Seriously? This again? She took a moment to try to think about what he meant. He thought her sitting on the cot was annoying? She shrugged, then jumped off of the cot before she could fall to the floor. Well, if it was that simple she could put up with it. She wasn't going to sleep on the floor every night he is here, though. She would have to get another cot. She sighed, then sat onto the floor cross-legged in the same way he was in.
"Better?" she asked. She needed to teach him more words besides 'annoying'. He seemed to have an easier time understanding when she used one word at a time so she would have to start from there and work her way up. Annoying to fix this annoying language block they had.
He watched her move and shifted slightly to get more comfortable, now being more relaxed that he was sitting on his place alone. He really didn't feel comfortable with her so close. He still didn't know her, and no matter what, he still wanted to keep some distance from her. Who knows what she is planning after all... No one saves a Nazgul without a reason. He wondered what she wanted from him. Once she sat and talked, he presumed she was asking if this was acceptable for him.
"Betteeer..." He repeated after her, indicating this is indeed what he wanted and it should also stay the same way. But once more he stretched the word, and seemed to alter the last few syllables as if trying to find the right pitch to say it on.
She giggled. Alright, so that was two words down. She thought for a moment, then looked at her food. Maybe she could keep this going. She pointed to her food.
"Bad?" she asked, sticking her tongue out to make a disgusted face. Even though she liked the dish he seemed to have a thing against it. She wasn't sure why, though. Then again, she had no idea what exactly he was so that probably added to it. Maybe he was like that one creature she found. An orc, right? He wouldn't eat her food either. The moment he left he also tried to kill her before hunting himself down some wild game. It had been sad to see the poor thing die but he was hungry and there wasn't much she could do about it. This creature however didn't seem to eat or drink at all. Or at least she had yet to see him do such a thing. Maybe he was just not comfortable with being seen when he ate. Maybe he was badly scarred so he refused to eat or drink because then he would have to take his hood down. Alright, now she was stretching for ideas but it was still a thought.
Now this dumbfounded him. He tilted his head to the side, not quite knowing what was wrong now. All he knew she seemed to like that thing, and now suddenly she shows expressions that say she didn't like it. He shook his head briefly, not knowing what she meant. And of course, that she was trying to teach him a word didn't cross his mind this time. Instead, losing interest, he lowered his hooded head to the staff and started picking at it, running his metal-covered fingers along its surface, stopping here and there at a word written into it, turning it, rolling it to follow the lines. Well, it seemed like it was more interesting than her, as he completely forgot about the little dwarf, instead occupied himself with her staff. There was one more thing he noticed. He felt more energetic than yesterday, and planned to move about a bit once night fell again. Explore the cottage a bit maybe...
She pouted as he didn't seem to understand nor care. "Oh well. Worth a shot." she said before finishing her food and putting the bowl away. She quickly did the dishes by hand this time. She then went and checked her clothes. 'Good. They dried overnight.' She thought before putting them on. She looked at her dark... house guest and saw he seemed to be doing a little better. That was good. Maybe he wouldn't be here as long as she thought. She also saw that he kept stopping at particular symbols on her staff. She froze as a thought came to her. Maybe he understands them? She stepped closer looking at what symbols seemed to catch his attention before taking a moment.
"D-do you... understand?" she asked in that tongue. Language was her best skill but considering she was a wizard and most spells were in various tongues both new and old she had to know more than one language to get her work done.
Once she came closer, the wraith looked up from the staff, still in that hunched position and stared at her. He tilted his head to the side, yet again not understanding what she said. According to the tone and way she spoke, it must have been a question, but he had no idea what it was all about. Seeing she just stayed there, he went back to pick at her staff, rolling it along a line of words once more. While he did not understand them, it was clear as day that they emitted some kind of magic, they gave the staff a certain effect, and with him tapping them, he could identify some. This staff wasn't made to kill. That was certain. All the magic and enchantment seemed to be more for protection and healing than harming anything. Even if he knew how to use it, he probably would never be able to kill anyone with it. He tilted his head a bit here and there, completely in his own little world.
Hyano said a wizards curse and stomped her foot like an annoyed child. Well, that didn't work. He seemed to only get confused, then ignore her again. Oh well. She would just have to settle with him knowing two words for now. She sighed and rubbed the back of her head trying to think. She would let him alone for now. She needed to go do something anyway. She snapped her fingers to get his attention.
"Stay." she told him, using her hands like a stop sign to try to tell him to stay there while she was gone. She grabbed up a few pouches then waved. "Good bye." she called then ran out. She wouldn't be gone long. But she had to go to the village nearby.
He tilted his head to the side as she gestured for him to stay. That one word he understood. He lowered his gaze to the staff once more before raising it again as he heard the door of the shack close. He stared at the door for a while, a good five minutes, before being sure she doesn't come back, then finally took his time to shift on the cot and stand up again, leaning some of his weight on the staff as support. While he felt energetic in the inside, that didn't mean sadly that this was the same case with his spectral body.
-At the village-
As she made her way to the village she noticed some kind of a strange loud noise coming from its direction a few miles away already. She frowned at the sound of people…. screaming? Shouting? Many of them? What? As she came closer she was met with something she hadn't seen in a long time. People were celebrating. Many were dancing, opening wine bottles they kept for hundreds of years, people smiled, laughed, cheered, musicians played tirelessly. She didn't understand. The village suddenly gained color, happiness, the usually grumpy men and women easily jumped about in pure bliss. As if… a great weight or curse was lifted off of the shoulder of the people.
"Hey what's going on?" she asked a person, stopping them while she just stood there, not sure what to think of the occasion. She couldn't remember any special days or anniversaries, so this came as a surprise. She didn't like to be clueless. Maybe she missed something? But she came to this settlement for years.
"Didn't you hear?" The man said, a happy smile gracing his lips, putting the mug to his lips, sipping a few times from his own booze. "Sauron is defeated!" he told her with a grin, then laughed and danced away, joining the others in merriment.
She blinked. She knew who that was and she had known he had caused hell as of late. She knew about the war, about the problem, however, still being a 'child' and an apprentice to the wizards of the Order, she was not allowed to participate and as such she knew little if nothing about the ongoing standing of the war. Neither did she know anything about what he did or what creatures he brought to life by his skills in the magical area and enchantments. She simply wasn't required to know but was told to hide, hence why she is in that little shack –and unknown to her this is why she didn't know what Ren was.
She noticed children playing around the adults, many of them giggling as they chased one another. They were dressed up as the combatants of the war. Knights, orcs, and even… something familiar. She didn't think she would see one of these at the celebration. She blinked, then caught someone's attention, grasping at an arm randomly from the crowd and pointed towards a child which wore a dark cloak over himself, strangely almost exactly in the same style as her unexpected guest.
"Hey what's that?" she inquired with a frown and the same childish curiosity she possessed for thousands of years already, despite her true age.
"You aren't very smart for a wizard." The man commented annoyed, finding her cluelessness kind of irritating. As if she ignored all the war and all the horrors it brought to the world. Everyone knew about the creatures she pointed out, some even having met one personally in a battle. They were terrifying creatures and he was surprised to see an istar –a child maybe but still a wizard- ask about their purpose in the war. "That is a Ringwraith." He said matter-of-factly, but also decided to expand on it, suspecting what her next question would be. "They worked for Sauron. They were defeated too." He finished with a smile, unable to contain his happiness any longer, which burst from his expression, being reminded of their glorious victory.
She raised a brow, then looked back towards the children, following them with her gaze, watching as the 'Rohirrin soldiers' chased the black-clad figures with mighty but high-pitched battle-cries. All but one was gone it seemed, her mind registered and everything around her seemed to vanish for a moment, the laughter and movement around her was lost to her.
What has she done…?
-Meanwhile at the shack-
The loss of his master affected him too much, taking most of his energy, and uncertainty flooded his mind. Now, he was alone. He didn't think too much about what to do, as his hooded head turned towards the stench of the substance she made. He took the staff and poked the object it was placed into.
"Baaad..." he said out loud, thinking it was its name. Well, the dwarf did say it. "Annoyyyiiinng..." He said, thinking of the unpleasant feeling he had because of it. He then proceeded to look around. Now that she was gone, he can explore a little bit, see what he could do while he recovered. He used the staff to shuffle over to the table with the chairs and leaned down to inspect the various items on it. He hissed as the stench of a few herbs hit his senses and drew back. But that didn't stop him from reaching out and touching a few objects, however, he didn't move anything... yet. But then something caught his attention and caused him to turn his hooded head.
Life.
He sensed life somewhere in the room. Small surely, but a living being. He walked around a little bit, curiosity giving him strength, using the staff as support. After a few minutes of searching, he finally stopped and stared at the... medium sized furball in the corner, among some fabric. It was slightly shaking as well. He tilted his head this way, then that, but couldn't realize what it was on his own, so taking the staff, he reached out with it and poked it. Only to see it uncurl and without being able to see what it was, it dashed among some other clothes in another corner. Now, feeling beyond curious, he started following it, but had to realize his fatigue... So, after feeling tiredness come over him, he shuffled to the cot and sat down on it once more, deciding to meditate.
She took her time coming home doing a total of three things. Catching whatever sunlight she could so she could stay up later than usual, getting what she needed from the village and learning what she could about Ren's kind. Anyone who was familiar with her knew she was connected to the sun but so far only her and her master knew why and how. The latter of whom she was sure was dead. Though, one could never be completely sure with wizards. So far no one really knew much about the Wraiths. They were evil, used to be kings, served the Dark Lord, killing many innocent creatures wherever they walked and were like ghosts only a lot more dangerous. After everything she had been told his hostility made a bit more sense, though, she was surprised he hadn't tried to kill her yet. From the sounds of it her first thoughts of him was correct. A lost pet. With the Dark Lord gone Ren quite literally had nowhere to go. As she started back towards her home she started to feel sad for the creature that lived in her home. She lived alone technically but to her that was normal. She at least had a home and the animals.
As she finally made it home she saw him quietly sitting on the cot and gave him a sad smile. She would let him stay there as long as he wanted. They didn't get along very well but she would let him stay anyway. She didn't know what a foolish mistake she made in that moment…
Her approach did not go unnoticed. His meditation was interrupted by his subconscious. An alarm system, which awoke him if someone was watching. It helped his kind greatly if they were forced to rest in enemy territory. If they are stalked, they were easily alarmed and could defend themselves in only moments after waking. But now, there was no need to fight. Of course, his subconscious didn't know that. He looked up from the cot to see her stare at him. He tilted his head to the side a little bit, as if asking why she did that, then simply gave voice to his discomfort once more.
"Annoyyyiiing..." He told her, still stretching the word greatly, but this was because of his own native tongue. And he mostly communicated with his kind using shrieks and hisses, or the Black Speech which they stretched like this at each word, but he was sure she did not understand any of that anyway. Just like how he cannot understand her words. Making himself comfortable, hoping she will now avert her gaze, he prepared for another round of resting, but he jerked his head up in the next moment, hearing the scurrying noises from that same corner the furball went off to. He turned to look in that direction and gave whatever it was a hiss, making it stop every movement, curling up again, no doubt, before sighing and looking down again.
Hyano giggled at his stretch of one of the only two words he knew, then noticed the sound. She put her pouch down and walked over to where the sound came from and scooped up the little animal stroking its head to calm it down. She wasn't surprised it was scared. She couldn't even use her rabbits to get to the village today because the Wraith had made them too nervous to move. It wasn't a very large animal. She smiled. She was used to animals coming in and out of her home as they pleased.
"Hey, it's alright, little one. It won't hurt you. It's just a big meany." She reassured it and heard it make a few noises. She giggled. "No. no. I promise I won't let him hurt you." she replied seeming to be able to speak to the creature like it was no big effort. Too bad she couldn't do that with Ren. She looked at the dark creature, still stroking the little furball to try to calm it down. "Be nice." she told him sternly.
The wraith watched her scoop up that ball of fur, now able to see what it was, but still could not identify the race. Not like he cared. How he didn't notice this thing yesterday, was a mystery to him, or maybe it came in while he was meditating? Who knows? And honestly, he didn't care about that either. What the Ringwraith didn't like was that she seemed to order him to something. He didn't understand what, but she did command him. Something, the wraith didn't like. Only his master can give him orders, and he won't take any from others. Not even her. His gaze traveled from her, to the little animal, back, then simply hissed once before looking down again, fiddling with the staff, feeling slightly... bored.
Now this was a new feeling. He never felt this way with his Dark Lord whispering him orders, telling him what he needed to do once he completed a task. But now, his guidance was gone... Without it, he felt useless, without purpose, and completely lost. He needed to do something. What would be his next task, after the army of humans and elves attacked? After the ring was destroyed? Possibly find the one who did it and revenge their situation... Probably collect and assemble another army and start a new invasion... He didn't even know where he was now, let alone know where to go to get back to Mordor.
All the while the young wizard watched him curiously, then got an idea. She put the animal down for a moment. "Stay." she told it and it did as she told it to. She started to put her things away pulling out another cot she had bought while she was out and about. The animal didn't move the whole time she worked. Once she had set up the cot and put her other things away she walked over to the animal and smiled stroking its head. "Good." she told it, then giggled as it jumped into her arms around. She then looked at the Wraith. She wondered if he picked up on any of that. Likely not. He seemed to ignore her a lot. Didn't matter. She hoped he did but she would have to live with it otherwise. She snapped her fingers to get his attention, then stroked the animal's fur again before holding it out to him wondering if he would like to do the same.
Having nothing better to do, Ren followed her movements with his hooded head. He had no idea what she was doing, but in the current circumstances, he didn't really care as long as there is something to watch. He jerked his head to her once he heard her make that sharp noise again, then leaned slightly back once she reached out and held the animal out to him. His invisible gaze traveled from the suddenly appearing animal in his field of vision, then to the dwarf, then back at the creature. What was he supposed to do with it? Take it from her? But for what? He never understood what use these unintelligent beings have, other than being in the way. He did not move to take it, but watched it, just as much as it watched him.
Hyano sighed as he did nothing. Alright, so this was going to be harder than she thought. She reached out and took his hand carefully and slowly as not to spook him then put it on the animal forcing him to pet the little fuzz ball.
So... from ordering him around, she goes to make him do things instead. He sighed in annoyance, and first looked away, wanting to just be over with this so he can go on with his previous thoughts, but soon, he turned his head back to the little creature he had his hand on. What gained his attention wasn't the fact that it was fuzzy, small or cute... but secretly the fact that it trembled in just his presence, fearing him, is terrified by him touching it. Just like how this little... dwarf should be. He felt its heartbeat increase and smelled that delicious fear in the air. And he wanted more of it.
It was obviously scared of him and shivered under his touch but as she helped the naturally very scary man to stroke the little animal it seemed to calm though it was still stiff under his touch like it was ready for him to kill it any second. She learned that animals while they aren't like the most intelligent of the world's living beings they do have an extra sense that made them in a way very smart. They knew when to be afraid and when it was safe. At the moment, this little creature was completely confused. On one hand, it had Hyano who it knew was safe to be around but on the other there was this creature touching it now that it also knew was about as safe as being thrown into a bear trap. Hyano smiled anyway glad it seemed to at least stay still. "Good."
Soon enough, the wraith relented to his instincts and enclosed the little creature in his metallic grasp, lifting it from her hand, then pulled it closer to himself, where he held it secure. However, he did not pet it, but just stared at it, enjoying its fear, something the dwarf surely doesn't know.
Hyano raised a brow, surprised when he took the creature from her. It whined in protest. "It's alright. It's alright." She reassured it but she honestly wasn't sure. She wished she could properly talk to him to find out. Oh well.
Actually, he was having a good time with the little mammal in his hands. Despite the metallic gauntlet on his hands, he could feel the trembling of the creature through the air, and it basically vibrated through the metal. He was amused.
She was about to say more when she heard noises from outside. She cursed under her breath. The folks she had been making a potion for were early. Again. For some reason they did not understand the difference between two days and one. She could not let them see the wraith. That would end badly for the both of them she was sure. She looked around then kicked a mat off the floor and pulled open a cellar door.
"Go!" she yelled at him, not giving him room to argue as she pointed down inside. That should be more than easy enough to understand. That or he would hear the people coming and go on his own. Either way she wanted to hide him.
He looked up once the dwarf started to hurry about, make a mess, then turned to him and told him something, pointing at an opening on the ground. He tilted his hooded head to the side curiously, but not a few moments later, he could hear the sound of approaching feet. He knew now why she did what she did. He needed to hide, and possibly, the opening on the floor poses a good opportunity to vanish from prying eyes. There was still the matter of distrust. How does he know that the opening doesn't lead to a trap? What if she wants to capture him like that and give him to these people? His still tired and confused mind however managed to point out his situation to him. There was nowhere else to go. He either at least attempts to hide, or he can face an angry mob of people, who would make short process of him in his current state. He had no choice. Ren looked at the small creature in his hands, then at the staff, as if trying to decide which one he wanted to bring with him, he gave a shrug and a short hiss, before shifting and standing with both in his possession. No way will he still give her staff back, nor did he want to get rid of his entertainment. Stopping in front of her, he looked down at the hole in the floor. He wasn't really too keen to enter a room he did not know where it led, but the sound of steps coming closer urged him. After a few more seconds, he started his descend into the unknown room, and looked up once he felt ground under his feet.
The room looked much different than the room above. More of a wine cellar feel to it with hard stone walls. At first there seemed to be nothing down there but then she shut the door and covered it with the mat again. The floor started to glow with plant life. Not a bright light. More of a dark light. Wizards were valued for many things. One of which was their ability to find the rarest of things. Some of which only grew in the darkest of places. Hyano's master had started collecting said plants and keeping them in the cellar so they could grow in a place that was far easier to find. The walls also seemed to be alive as well but not in a moving way. More like they were filled with dark spirits. One who could not feel energy would never even notice it.
Hyano sighed, glad he had listened before cringing at the loud bang at her door. She ran to the door and opened it with her usual smile. "Hello, men. How may I help you today?" she asked trying her best to act as if nothing was wrong.
The man who stood at the door faced forward, but once the door opened, he was met with thin air. Briefly, he wondered why there is no one at the door, only to realize the... size of the wizard. So, he looked down to see her standing there. Normally, wizards of her kind were rather tall, but he supposed she will grow slowly to that height too. He cleared his throat and greeted her back. "Hello. I have come for the potion I asked for. It would be very urgent..." he explained his sooner arrival quickly, without wasting time.
The Nazgul in the meantime used the staff to support his weight, and started walking around the cellar. He curiously inspected the various plants, only to pull away with a faint hiss sometimes, feeling that sweet stench. After a while, he got bored. Too soon actually, only after a few minutes of his arrival. He jerked his head towards a squealing sound coming from his other hand, and that was when he remembered that animal. He still had it in his hand. The wraith tilted his head to the side and brought it closer to his hood, then having an idea, he lifted his other hand, which still held the staff, and simply poked the little creature with his index finger, watching it pull back and let out a small squeal. He tilted his head to the other side as he did it again, finding its increased fear amusing, and the way it feared him. He kept poking the creature until it soon bit, and latched onto his gauntleted finger with its rodent teeth. Of course, the Ringwraith didn't feel the pain, considering he had his armor on, so simply lifted his hand a little to observe the aggressive little furball. Of course, the animal used this chance... and let go of his hand, then dropping to the floor and scurrying to safety between the plants. The wraith gave a low hiss, disappointed that his... 'toy' got away, but he wasn't one to just give up. Soon, he started to search for it among the plants.
"Sir, I already explained this to your village more than once. Potions take time. If you rush them they won't do what they are supposed to." she told him, then heard the squeal of the little animal and cringed. 'What in the berry's names is he doing to that poor thing?!' She thought before shaking her head and looking back at the men in her doorway. Hopefully if she was lucky they would ignore the noise thinking it was just woodland animals. One was at least "I will have the potion for you tomorrow as promised. No sooner. And no later." she told him with a smile like that was the end of it and tried to shut the door.
One of the men stuck his foot in the door. "Listen here, wizard. We do not have time for this. Our elder is very sick and needs that potion. Tonight." he said. She looked so young and small. He assumed that unlike other wizards he could easily push for what they wanted.
This earned a surprised look from the young wizard. 'Is he seriously trying to make demands of me?' She thought. She shook her head. No, there was no way a human was THAT stupid. She tried to smile it off. Maybe he was just having a dumb moment. "Tomorrow. No sooner. And no later." she repeated.
"Tomorrow might be too late!" Said another man as he poked his head into the shack once more, worry for the older man clear in his features. "Tonight and no later. Or maybe... we should start having doubts in your abilities?" he said, putting his hands on his hips, glaring at the young wizard. While they talked, there was someone else as well with them, who couldn't help but frown as he heard the squeal and the barely audible hiss somewhere in the room. Was there a snake somewhere, killing one of her animals? But wasn't she so careful to make sure they don't kill each other? He shook it off though, and concentrated on what the others were saying.
In the meantime, the Nazgul took his time to look for his squealing 'toy' in the thick foliage in the cellar, using his staff sometimes to disturb the greenery, hoping that the little creature would jump and give away its position. Of course, he wasn't searching blindly. For one, the darkness gave him the perfect eyesight he needed, seeing as sharp and clearly as a wraith can, noticing the smallest disturbance. Also his other senses were better as well. He could hear and smell perfectly, so picking up the breathing of the tiny rodent wasn't such a hard work. Neither to feel its life energy. Just like he felt it above, he felt it here as well, and used it as guide. It didn't take him long until he found it among some... unusually colored grass. He let out a hiss, warning the small thing that he saw it, and watched it tense up, before readying the staff. In the next moment, he launched himself at the furball, successfully sliding along the grass, and reaching his target. The little animal squealed once more in fright and started running away from the oncoming hooded wraith, but was too slow. The gauntleted hand of the dark being shot out and slammed into the ground in front of it, letting his palm rest above it, then started sliding it towards him. And so, he regained his tiny toy, holding it in his hand once more, sitting among the grass, and started poking it again.
Hyano froze taking in what he said before her face going from its usual sunshine smile to a very annoyed glare. She then opened the door so she could get a better look at the group. For the moment she ignored the noise in the basement. The sound of an animal squealing and something close to a snake chasing it. She would deal with that later. Her eyes landed on the one who questioned her skill.
"How dare you?!" she roared her voice going from that of a child to more of a beast. Her shadow growing and darkening the area around them. "You came to me for help. Not the other way around you little meat-headed idiot! As far as I know all your village healers couldn't even understand what was wrong with your elder, much less knew how to cure him. So unless you want me to not help you at all I suggest you turn around now and come back tomorrow!" she snapped her voice slowly coming back to normal. There was only one among them who hadn't opened his mouth yet and stuck his foot in it. She was furious. For a wizard, she put up with a lot but if there was one thing you never wanted to do it was disrespect a wizard. They never took it well.
The humans were taken aback by her outburst and backed up slightly, leaning backwards, then met each other's gazes, unsure what to do or say. Finally, they glanced at the one who questioned her ability, and expected him to either continue or apologize. Nothing is worse than an angry wizard. Be it evil or good. The man cleared his throat and adjusted his clothing, before raising his head slightly, trying to not seem intimidated.
"Well then, perhaps you can prove your power by making that potion tonight. We cannot wait longer. We go now, but will come back tonight for it. Then, we won't go until it is ready." He said, before turning around and started walking away, while the group followed him.
At the sudden change of attitude, mood and feeling the wrath of a wizard, Ren looked up from his 'squeaky toy' and stared into the direction where all the shouting came from. He sat completely still for a few minutes, slightly turning his head to one side, then simply shrugged and returned to the squealing creature. He proceeded to turn it just a bit in his metallic hands to now expose its vulnerable belly. It started to wiggle in his grasp, thinking he will now take a bite, but instead, he resumed poking it there now, instead of its head. Now, the creature didn't know if it should be afraid or wiggle because it was ticklish.
The little wizard watched them walk away. Even if they came back tonight the potion would not be ready. Even if it was the elder could not take it yet anyway. Take a potion too early and one might as well not take it at all. It would be like downing bad tea. She shook her head. If they came back again tonight they would be sorely disappointed and she would be left in a very hard position. She couldn't exactly keep Ren in the basement all night. He was stubborn enough as it was. She doubted he would stay in there that long willingly. Though, he did have a thing for darkness. Maybe he would do it. Who knew? She sighed, then walked back in shutting the door a little harder than she meant to before kicking off the mat and opening the door to the basement. "Ren?" she called down to him.
The Nazgul stopped his game when he heard the door slam shut. He looked up and tilted his head slightly to the side, as if listening for what is going on up there, but decided to get back to the squealing animal. Which was, unknown to him, not crying because of fear, but because it was ticklish. He kept poking its belly here and there, finding the noise it made amusing, but his fun was short lived, as he heard the sound of the basement door being opened and the harsh light from above came in, ruining his vision just a bit. He heard the dwarf call his name, and sat still, watching her from the darkness. He gave a hiss back at her, before turning his attention back to the animal, which was now again turned around to face him, while he proceeded poking it again. Of course, this wasn't as amusing for the little creature, and squealed again, trying to keep his invading metallic finger away with its much weaker, smaller and shorter hands.
She blinked noticing the little creature and that he was... tickling it? She watched for a moment, then realized Ren had no idea what he was doing to the little animal. This made her laugh lightly, her bad mood easily going away. A creature of pure darkness and death was tickling a chipmunk. One couldn't get any more priceless than that. She waved for him to come up, though, he didn't have to if he didn't want to. She did want to see the little creature, though. Make sure that Ren's claws hadn't done it any serious damage.
Once she gestured for him to come up, he tilted his head to the side once more, leaving the little animal alone for a while. He didn't know what to do. The darkness here was what he liked. His senses were clear; his powers were not pushed back. He really didn't mind this. But... the stench of some of the flowers sometimes almost made him claw at the wall, trying to get out somehow. And the world above wasn't that limited. Also, he wanted to know what she was doing. If he couldn't keep her in his field of vision or other senses, he would become slightly irritated. So, looking around one last time, he stood up, and started walking towards the opening, still holding the animal and her staff in his hands. No way will he give them away now.
She however pointed to the little creature and gave Ren a pleading look.
"Please?" she asked, hoping if she put it on his terms he might be more willing to do as she asked. Though, considering the past twenty-four hours she was more likely to get hissed at instead.
Once she extended her hand towards the creature and seemingly wanted it back, he drew the animal closer to himself and pushed past her, walking back towards the cot he usually sat on. The moment he left the darkness of the cellar, he felt the sun's faint rays and instantly felt some of his energy being sapped from him. He sighed and sat down, laying the staff across his lap once more, then held the little critter up towards his hood, amused as it wiggled, and moved its tiny limbs, trying to get away from his metallic grip.
She rolled her eyes.
"Annoying." she said repeating the word he used so often. She then went and checked a vile on the counter, looking over the substance inside before checking a pot full of some sort of liquid. "Not even close." she said to herself before turning and walking back over to him. Instead of sitting beside him, though, she sat on her own cot. She then reached out, not taking the chipmunk from him but only looking it over slightly. It did have a scratch or two. Nothing serious. She whispered a spell and her finger tips glowed. She touched each cut and it started to heal. It was a spell called 'Divine Light' or 'Healing Light'. Depending on who one talked to. Not many used it or even knew about it anymore. She knew already she couldn't use a spell like that on Ren. She had assumed that on the first day. A creature of darkness -no matter how hurt- will only get more damage from a light-based healing spell. Too bad for him she didn't know any dark healing spells. Though, from what she gathered of dark creatures they didn't seem to have any. Either one lived through it or one died. Simple as that.
So, she wasn't pleased. He wondered briefly why, but returned soon to the little animal in his hand, touching its nose a bit, before returning to poke it, yet again enjoying its fear and squealing. No matter how it wiggled or pushed against his metallic grip, he didn't let it go, but kept a firm hold on it, making sure it didn't get away this time. He did feel its rodent teeth catch the metal of his gauntlet, but this time he wasn't so careless to let it dangle in the air, but let it bite on it as it pleased, watching with curiosity, wondering when it will finally realize it didn't hurt him at all, and it cannot bite through the metal. Once it gave up, he lowered it just a bit, just in time to see the dwarf reach out towards it. At that moment, he enclosed the little creature in his palm, not wanting to give it to her. Oh no... It was his toy now. And his possession as it is. Wraiths were by their nature very possessive of their few belongings they had. Be it their horses, items they find or slaves they kept. They made sure to keep these away from each other. It wasn't fear that the other might get it from them that made them this way, but the envy that they might have more if they take it. He remembered one time, when Ji Indur found a very interesting, gleaming, blood-red gem. He only took it out of his robe to look at it when none of them was around or close... They might take it, not give it back, so have more items than him.
Hyano blinked surprised. Did he really like the little critter that much? "Huh..." she thought for a moment, then pointed to it. "Chipmunk. Chip..munk." she told him. She thought if he was going to keep it he might as well know what it was.
The wraith tilted his head to the side as she said a word, pointing at his toy. So... this was its name then? He looked down at the little creature, then back at the dwarf before again lowering his invisible gaze to the rodent. Hmm... He did try to say it... but the first sound of the word simply didn't want to come out. Instead, he hissed a bit, unable to utter that sound, and simply gave up very soon, accepting the fact that he can't say it. Not that he needed it anyway. But then again... He might need to tell her somehow if he lost his squeaking property on accident. He stared at it for a long time before actually trying. "Ship... munk..." He tried, still unable to say that one sound. Well, at least it was close enough.
She smiled at his attempt, looking at the rodent, repeating the same funny name the wraith gave it, deciding that from now on its name shall be the same. Ship. Suits him well, actually. The child wizard then jumped off of her cot and walked over to the table. She shuffled through various pots for a moment before finding the one she wanted. She walked back over to him. She opened the pot and pulled out a walnut.
"Food." she said, then held it out towards the chipmunk so he could find out that she wanted him to give it to the poor thing. No point in him keeping it if it was just going to die of hunger anyway. She was also taking the chance to teach him a few new words. Food and chipmunk weren't much but they were still words.
Ren jerked his head up once he saw her move away, then after rummaging through a few things on the table before walking back, holding out... something, and saying a word again. He tilted his head to the side, not quite sure what to do with it.
"Foooood..." He repeated after her, thinking it was the item's exact name, but didn't know why she was holding it out to him. What was he supposed to do with it?
She giggled at his confused look, then took the hand not holding the little rodent and put the walnut in it. She then took out another one and put it on the floor before slamming her foot down on it, cracking the shell. She picked it up and showed him the insides. She then pulled out part of the nut. She always thought the insides of a walnut kind of looked like a brain. Odd thought coming from a girl like her but considering how much free time she had no one could really be that surprised by it. She then held it out to the little creature.
"Here you go. Eat up." she said softly giggling as it snatched it up and quickly went to town on the piece of food. Within moments it was gone. She smiled, then looked up at Ren and waved for him to try it too.
He was actually curious about what to do with this thing, so let her do as she wished for now. But still kept an eye on her and her movements. He watched as she put the item in his hand, then took the other one and... crushed it. He didn't know what was so useful in crushing something, other than having a broken item. However, as she took out something from inside the broken thing, handed it to the little animal, and watched it as it ate it hungrily, he saw that it was indeed useful to break some items. Like this... food. He looked at the hard item in his hand, and pulled it closer, inspecting it. Indeed. There was a slight natural crack going around the thing, which meant it has to be pulled apart, not really crushed. He hummed a bit, then used his hard gauntlet to break the hard shell of this... food, pressing down on the little crack, successfully setting its insides free. He looked at it, before putting it down on the cot, pulling it more apart there, before pulling out the same part the dwarf did, and held it to the little thing. Actually, it was amusing to watch its little mouth move so fast, making some kind of noise he didn't hear before yet.
She smiled as he followed what she did. She took the pot and put it next to him. It was full of different kinds of nuts and a few berries. It was basically her snack jar. She pulled out a berry and tossed it in her mouth before sitting on her cot to watch him. Most of the time he was an over-sized annoyance. They didn't seem to get along well on anything. He liked the darkness, while she passed out when the sun went down. She liked the light, he hissed the moment the sun came up. She ate, he seemed to think her food was the most horrible thing ever made. However, he seemed to like the creature in his hand. For what reason she honestly had no idea. It was scared to death of him. Though, it seemed to have calmed a bit as it ate the food. Likely because it's focused had shifted from the Wraith to the nuts and berries. She smiled none the less. "You are a strange one."
Ren watched she put more next to him. Did she... want to give all this to the little animal in his hand? Surely not... Its size told him it might be able to eat a few more, then it would be full. He watched with high interest as the little thing actually ate the food quite fast, a piece didn't last longer than a few seconds, which made him wonder how it could eat so fast. It moved its mouth with a speed he never saw before, and made such noises that made him tilt his head a little, listening to it. It was... strange. He also wondered why living beings needed to eat. Why did they need to consume each other? Or useless plants, grass or these... things she put next to him. He never needed them, at least he couldn't remember a time when he did eat like them. He reached into the box and broke one more of those hard shelled things, before having enough of having to give it to the animal, he put it right into the box to eat. At this point, he didn't care if it got away. He was too fatigued. The wraith had to realize his state of health and energy. The whole day he had been concentrating on that little critter, moving about, chasing it... It took his energy. Finally he settled to meditate and leave the rodent alone for now. He will look for it once he awoke at night.
She watched as he seemed to grow tired and let the little one go. What surprised her though was that it didn't make any attempt at running. She blinked a few times. Maybe there was hope for this... whatever it was after all. She looked up to him, then decided to leave him alone. He needed his rest. Hopefully, that would put him in a better mood for tonight. Because humans had this odd habit of keeping some of the stupidest promises. She hopped up from her cot and walked over to one of the things she had picked up in the village. It was a rather long piece of wood. Slightly taller than he was. She then got a tool and sat down on her cot with it across her lap. She took the tool and started to use it to scrape at the wood slowly as not to make too much noise while Ren rested.
-meanwhile-
One of the men looked at the others.
"I am not the only one who heard something that sounded like an animal dying in there, am I?" He questioned. He thought Hyano was a good wizard but the whole village had been skeptical of her since the moment the learned of her living there. She didn't come to the village very often and when she did, though, she smiled she didn't really talk to anyone. Many people wouldn't even know what she was if it wasn't for the staff she carried with her usually.
The man who was the most silent shrugged, and turned to the others, who mostly shook their heads. They were simply too busy shouting at the young wizard as it seemed. "I did. I think I heard a snake there too. I wonder why she lets her animals kill each other now..." He commented, but decided to not press on more. They don't know the wizard, and their knowledge about her might be wrong. Maybe she lets things happen if it is natural. Like.. a predator killing its meal. Or… maybe there is some kind of a secret?
Thank you for reading.
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