Cubby: *Sweeping the floor while whistling happily.*

Avp: *Walks in.* Hey Cubby. I brought home Cookies!

Cubby: *Looks up. Screams and starts smacking the other with her broom.*

Avp: Gah?! *covers his head* Cub! What the hell?!

Cubby: Your shoes! Grah! I just cleaned damn it!

Avp: *Looks to his shoes and realizes they are covered completely in mud. Then yelps as he is knocked out via broom stick.*

Ren: *Sneaking away with the cookies. Stops when he notices you.* Shhhh… Just walk away and enjoy the story human.

Disclaimer: See first chapter.

Chapter 5 - Payback

Hyano didn't finally wake until the sun peaked through the window but even then it was slowly. She gasped her body coming back to life before she started coughing her body feeling like a ton of rocks had been thrown on her. She looked around hazily before noting where she was. She had never sleepwalked before, so she was sure she hadn't gotten there on her own. Part of her wondered if Ren had put her there because she was so 'annoying' as he so often liked to say. However, that thought was dismissed when she saw that the Wraith was on the cot and her door was wide open.

The men must have come last night.

Wait...

They came last night... the Wraith is on the cot... and now that she took the time to actually look at her house it looked like a Warg ran through it and smashed everything it could get between its jaws, and whatever it could move...

"What happened?!" she coughed out.

The Nazgul didn't notice that she was awake, only then did he jerk his head up, and look around in a trance-like state once he heard her say something. And of course his automatic alarm-system alerted him of being watched. But because of his low energy, he wasn't able to truly wake up. He just stared ahead instead, watching her, but not moving, finally speaking up in a kind of tired tone.

"Annnoyyyiinnng..." He said, then lazily pointed towards the trashed table, then... towards the open entrance of the cellar, meaning something happened he did not find pleasant. Well, not the beginning at least. In his half-awake state he even started mumbling in Black Speech, telling her about what happened, but he had to realize that she probably didn't understand, so better was to make her look. So she can admire his handiwork in there... His energy however had a limit this time, so he soon pulled his hand back and resumed his meditation.

She followed his finger seeing what happened to the table. She noted that all her work was near to if not completely destroyed. She then looked to the cellar and raised a brow before standing a little shakily and walking towards it. Before she even got to the door she was hit with the stench of blood and nearly lost whatever food had been in her system right at that moment. She gulped then stepped into the darkness slowly before seeing the carnage he had caused in her basement.

The two dead humans.

One was a quick kill, the other seemed to have died in terror, cuts and bruises decorating his body, indicating the wraith had amused himself with that one before getting bored and killing it. Its eyes and mouth were formed into the same emotion he felt moments before his death. helplessness, pain, suffering… True terror.

She shivered, tears she couldn't control coming to her eyes before she stepped back then ran out of the basement and house. She ran a distance then finally lost whatever food had been left in her little body with a groan of pain. Her stomach now hurt from getting sick and getting kicked in her sleep.

What happened?! Why had he killed those men?

She guessed that they came and attacked her home but her mind was still having a hard time wrapping around the need for them to die. As a wizard of nature, she cherished all life. She believed in their innocence, in their worth, as all are equal in the eyes of the Valar, all are striving to survive in this harsh world. The men were only desperate. They were scared. Scared, that the one they loved so dearly will pass from this world too early. They weren't yet prepared to let him go. This is why they did what they did. And… they had to die. She kind of understood the wraith, though. He must have just protected himself as the men rummaged through her shack. She also remembered how she left the opening to the basement uncovered, so they must have found him.

Still…

He could have just scared them away… But then more would come back… And they would take the creature away… He was also just trying to survive… Ugh.

She didn't come back for some time, only after a few hours did she walk in quietly. She wanted to be mad at him but in the end what he did likely saved her life. She couldn't tell him 'thank you' for saving her or anything like that. The fact she looked sad would likely show how displeased she was. She walked up to the cellar door and kicked it shut deciding to deal with that problem later. She couldn't stomach it right now no matter how hard she tried. Instead, she grabbed the wood piece and started to work on it again trying to find anything to distract herself with.

The wraith hadn't noticed she went out, nor did he feel like waking. Meditating was the only thing on his mind at that moment. However, after she came back, he jerked his head up again as he heard the loud noise of the basement door being slammed shut. Halfway awake again, he followed her movements with his hooded head, noting her strange behavior. He didn't know, nor did he want to understand why she wasn't showing any gratefulness for the protection of her belongings, which are of course his property as well. The humans deserved death for the disrespect. Treading into the territory of a wraith never had any good outcome for mortals. And also he had a chance to amuse himself on the way. Mortals and their stupidity... He wanted to go back to his meditation, but instead kept his gaze on the dwarf, as she was... working... or... cutting some kind of wooden piece. He didn't know why that would be useful... He tilted his head to the one side, then the other, not sure what to think of it.

She didn't notice he was watching her for a bit when she looked up. She raised a brow then noted he seemed interested in her work. She looked it over for a moment tossing it up once to check the weight before standing up and walking over to him and held it out to him.

It was a staff.

One that was similar to her own only more his size and without markings yet. She had gotten the idea while she was in the village the other day. He seemed to like her staff but it wouldn't hold his weight forever. At least not the way he used it. She thought this one would be more proper fitting, she also left it plain on purpose, so he could make his own markings on it. Maybe then she could learn some of his language as well. So far it had all been very one sided. Her expecting him to learn her language. She assumed it was only fair she at least try to learn a little of his as well.

He watched with interest as she got up and went up to him, holding out her work. It was a staff, not much different from the one he still had across his lap. Was she making another for herself, now seeing he did not want to give this one back? He watched the new staff for a little while, noticing its plain look, and the much bigger size.

Oh... is she making this for him maybe?

To try and give this to him, and get hers back in return? No chance. He isn't keeping the staff because he wished to amuse himself with it, but because he didn't want her to have it back. He was content with the one he had, and didn't want to have another. As answer to her action and holding it out to him, one of his metal-covered hands went to the staff at his lap and grasped it, securing it. No... he didn't want to swap. She can have that if she wanted.

The wizard tilted her head then giggled lightly before putting the staff down beside his cot.

"You are so strange Ren." she told him but made no move to take the staff back before sitting on her cot. She then started to look through her things looking for any trace of the potion she had been working on. She smiled when she found the first jar then the second. She was surprised. Whoever had been here the night before was lucky in not destroying the elder's one chance at living. But now she wasn't sure if she could or should even take it to the village. Two of their men were dead in her basement. She sighed and rubbed her temples trying to find out what exactly she should do.

His only answer to her amused comment was a slight, very faint hiss, otherwise he didn't move or say anything, but watched her every move, following her with his hooded head. However, the moment her attention was on something else, he turned his invisible gaze to the new staff she made. Now, he knew the dwarf made it for him, in hopes to swap this for the one he had in his protective grasp. By nature, he was extremely selfish and possessive of what he owned. He turned his head towards her once more, as if peeking on what she was doing, then simply extended one metal-covered hand and took the other, bigger staff in his possession as well, setting it behind him on the cot. Oh no... He will take this as well, so she cannot make her own from it. Why? Because she still didn't thank him for protecting his territory, so in return her home. Which he found offending. In his cursed mind, he even thought she should be bowing to him for doing this while in such a bad state of health.

Hyano made a decision finally. She had to go. She would probably regret it later but she had to. She pulled out bag and put the two containers in it carefully before looking back to him. She blinked when she noticed the staff was behind him. She giggled lightly. He was just so strange sometimes. She wished she knew what he was thinking but without a face it was hard to judge what was going through his head at any given time. She looked to the door then walked up to him. She then held out her hand to him a sad smile on her face.

"It was very nice to meet you Ren..." she said as calm as she could. She wasn't sure what was going to happen in the village and if she was going to be able to come back. She thought she might as well say good-bye just in case.

The Nazgul stared at her hand. What... did she want to do? Did she want something from him? He didn't understand. He looked at her hand, then raised his gaze to meet hers, then back again at her hand a few times, not sure what she wanted. One was sure... he won't give her anything from his favorite possessions on the cot. He noted her change in attitude, and her facial expression was different from her positive one. However, being a wraith, he never cared about emotions, and so he didn't know what it meant. The way her eyes 'talked' to him, he could tell it was something... negative maybe? But why? Now is she angry about him taking care of those intruders? If that was the case, he felt even more offended. And she still didn't thank him either. Hopefully, she will give an explanation good enough for him to understand about what she wanted from him.

She saw his confusion by the way his hooded head moved, and took her hand back. She guessed that wasn't much of a universal thing. She thought a moment. She didn't want to leave him confused. However, explaining anything to him was rather hard.

She pointed to herself then to the door. "Go." she said, thinking he understood what that word meant by now. She was trying to tell him she had to leave. She then looked around a moment before getting an idea. She pulled the sand out from earlier. Maybe she could show him. She poured a little into her hand before whispering over it, watching as it changed into a shape of her leaving the cottage, then going to the village. Then it showed her being stabbed to death with no owner to the word. She wanted to keep it as simple as she could. Hopefully, he would understand this, though he had a very bad habit of losing interest quickly in things so by now she wouldn't be surprised if he didn't get it.

Yes indeed, he understood as much that the word 'go' meant to leave. But leave where? And why? He watched with interest as she rummaged around before pouring something in her hand. After this, the feeling of magic around them engulfed his senses, feeling his dark aura reacting to the familiar prickling. Normally, magic, which wasn't dark meant threat, so his subconscious and spectral body dealt with it as such, but of course his mind was more than sure she did not want to harm him. She would have by now if she truly wanted to. But what came next baffled him. So, she wants to leave... to be killed by people? He tilted his head to the side. Which stupid individual would leave the safety of their territory if they know they will die? Or does she want to die? This is why she is leaving? Nah... That can't be it. Or yes? The dwarf surely was confusing at times. Well… when was the last time he understood her? He lifted his gaze to her, still with his head tilted, not quite sure what to think of all this.

The istar then tapped her bag then made the image show a man who was very sick, then get drank a mug of something and seemed to instantly get better. She pulled out said mug, pointing at it indicating that she needed to get this potion to him. He should still be alive but that wouldn't be the case if she didn't get there soon. She sighed and put the sand back before stepping back and giving a bow.

"Good-bye." she said then turned to head for the door.

Stupid.

This is all Ren could think about. Why would she attempt to help one if the others kill her? The crazed mortals have to think about how they, wraiths survived for thousands of years. They were selfish, thought about themselves, but knew when to help, and when not. If there was no danger that could destroy them, they aided each other, but if there was a chance of being seriously wounded, they backed off and let the one who was in trouble handle the situation. That is, if their Lord didn't tell them to act. Which he mostly did. If the helping of that one causes her death, it would be more convenient to stay and let that one in trouble fend for itself, so the others might learn from all this and don't hurt the one who can help. He heard her repeat the word again, which he understood as a way to announce one's leave, but didn't repeat after her. She was stupid. End of discussion. And in his eyes did not deserve his words.

The chipmunk felt her aura was gone and popped its head up to look around in search of her but made no move to really leave him. It seemed to be a little more used to him. Or maybe it just realized that running away wasn't much of an option anymore.

Ren decided to stay on the cot for how long he actually felt like doing so. Because of last night's ordeal, lack of meditation, his low health and tired mind, he didn't want to run around. Also, it was still morning, and the sun shines brightly on the sky. No way will he risk losing all his energy. So, his only means of entertainment were his belongings he had on the cot. The box of... 'food'..., in it the shipmunk, the interestingly shaped glass container, and the two staffs. What can you do with these together? Nothing really. Well, not with all of them at once. His hooded head turned towards the little rodent, before reaching out and poking its nose, watching as it squealed and drew back from him. But in the next moment, his attention was drawn to the shining glass which he took for himself last night. He picked it up from the box and inspected it again. It had wide lower half, and a more narrow upper half. What could it be used for? He didn't know. But an idea was forming in his mind what he could use it for... His hooded head turned to the small rodent, then picked it up in his metallic grip, before holding it upside-down and let it slide into the glass container, watching as it stood in it, sniffing, looking around, hopping here and there. Now comes the entertainment. He held the glass to the side, and watched as the shipmunk started running... in place while it tried to gain its own balance.

"This isn't going to be any fun..." she said to herself her hands in her pockets as she made her way to the village. It was kind of unusual traveling without a wizard staff. She had used one so long she felt her hand in her pocket open as if it still had one in it. She shook her head and sighed, feeling that she was stupid too. But her stupid nature is what also brought that Wraith into her home and likely saved her life last night. If she was more like him, she probably would have left him in the woods where she found him. Honestly, part of her wished she was more like him. Would likely have saved her years of trouble. Though, she wasn't a Wraith. From what she could tell they lived alone because of their nature. She wasn't sure anyone but a Wraith could handle living such a lonely life style.

She had started day dreaming half way through her trip her body taking in the sun light when it could. So when she came to the village she jumped. Normally the village was abuzz with people running around doing their daily chores. Or at least she thought it was. She wasn't here often enough to really know for sure. Maybe it was one of their off days. Like a prayer day or something. She thought then quickly scratched that thought. 'Or maybe they all heard what happened last night and are off deciding how to kill me.' Was her second less friendly thought. She groaned but chose to walk into the village and make her way straight to the elder's home hopping to get in and out quickly without much trouble. Her luck was never that good though.

She was observed.

The clearing, where the village sat was empty, the people choosing to stay hidden either in their homes or around the trees, preparing an ambush. Yes, she was a wizard, but the Order surely will go after her if she wipes them out... if they aren't chasing her already for killing two villagers already. Well, the man who came back said it was that... creature she is hiding in her basement. But if she keeps it there, it must mean it has a purpose... and what good-hearted wizard would have a monster in her home?

None of course.

The moment she came to the center of the village, the people suddenly all swarmed around her, enclosing her in a circle, surrounding her with no way out. The whole village was present, excluding the children and the very old. They surely didn't surround her for wanting to see how she heals their elder, one could guess just by looking at their faces, and the weapons which some people were holding in their hands. After a few minutes of whispering, one of the older men stepped out of the circle towards her, his own sword was held in his hand.

"How dare you show your face after what you did...?" He started, gritting his teeth, narrowing his eyes at her. "You come here to help our elder now because you feel suddenly bad for having two of our best guards killed?"

Hyano was caught off guard by the sudden ambush. She hadn't expected so many. Maybe a few archers shooting her from a distance but not the full force of the village. She stayed still and quiet looking them all over until the man stepped up and spoke. So, they did come while she was asleep. Ren must have killed them because of it. If the villagers knew about it that meant someone got away and told them but since he made no mention of what had killed the men they obviously didn't know. That was good. At least Ren would be safe.

"I did nothing to your men. They barged into my home after I warned them time and again to leave me be. They had no right in coming into my home, destroying my things, and throwing me around like a doll as I slept." she snapped back at him. "I told your village I would be back with the potion for your elder today. Your men refused to wait. That is not my fault." she added crossing her arms and glaring up at him in defiance.

"But killing them?!" He asked, shouting at her, while agreeing murmurs were sounding from around the villagers at his words. "You could have held them up and pushed them out by your own powers. But no... You let them die... You didn't do anything to stop this, but let them die." Here, he paused, and stepped closer once more, before pointing a finger at her. "Just what... cursed beast do you hide in your cellar, wizard? Tell us... Or we might as well inform your Order. They will sort this out if you refuse..." There were people agreeing and nodding, watching her angrily.

She smacked his hand roughly. "Your people died because they came into my home as I slept! I warned them of the creature in my basement and they refused to listen! The creature who took their lives was protecting me. There was nothing I could have done at the time." she snapped back at him. "As for what is in my home that is none of your business. A wizard has no obligations to answer to the likes of you. If it comes down to it I will speak with the Order but as of yet I have done nothing wrong so the Order has no reason to get involved. Your villagers' stupidity is a matter of your own. Any other wizard would have sent your men home half dead anyway the first time they came barging on my door so don't tell me I didn't give them chances. I gave them plenty. Now do you want your elder healed or now?!" she yelled at him stomping her foot the ground shaking under her anger.

Expecting her to zap the man with some kind of magic, the villagers took a step back as she pushed his hand away, but went back to support the man again, some holding their weapons tightly in their hands. The man was too much clouded by his fury at the loss of the two guards to listen to reason, so stepped up to her once more, not showing fear towards her.

"Which wizard would keep such a dangerous beast in their own home? Or maybe was it your creation? A new experiment? Something to do the dirty work for you?" He pressed on, balling his hands to fists. "Such a monster has no place with one of your kind, so the Order will be notified about this. And if you didn't notice, our elder was already gravely sick yesterday evening, which worsened at night. All you had to do is give them the potion, but no... You stubbornly refused. So, you got out your monster and let it kill two desperate men, who just wished to help their own. One of them would have been the one to replace our elder in leadership... But you denied that to us..."

"The potion wouldn't have done a thing last night you idiot!" she bit back. "I told your men this numerous times! It wouldn't be ready until today! There is no changing time! Those who try to play with time in such a way are fools!" she yelled tears brimming in her eyes. She of course felt horrible for the men who died. It was in her nature to feel that way. "And if your people had simply listened then nothing would have happened but the whole lot of you are acting like children! I am a child and I am making more sense then the whole lot of you! Would I have said two days if I didn't know what I was doing?! I told you exactly when I would return with the potion to help your elder but you all refused to trust my word and because of that your men are dead! I hope you feel shame for what your foolishness has caused!" she yelled at him her fists clenched so tight her knuckled turned white. She was angry and upset. They wanted to blame her for the moronic behavior of the guards. She was not having that. She knew she might die today but she was not letting them call her out of her name. "Now let me see you're elder!" she ordered him.

He wanted to lash out with his sword, slice her head off for her disrespect, and the way she talked about the villagers, him and the dead men. However, only a fool would strike a wizard. They knew she had the power to kill many of them before she could be hit by either a sword or a mace... Furthermore, who knows what she was capable of doing... They had to realize they don't know her, no matter for how long she was tending to their village. For all they know, she could be a dark wizard... considering such a beast is kept in her basement...

But not for long.

Wordlessly, the man stood aside, letting her have free way to the tent of the elder, while he gestured for the protesting villagers to put down their weapons. It is useless to try and fight her. But he cannot have his village endangered by that beast she is hiding. Maybe he will be once set free... roaming the forest, then maybe attack, or even kill their playing children... So, the monster must go. But he won't let her listen to his plan. So, while she went in, he started instructing the men what to do...

The wizard looked at the lot of them then stepped passed them and into the tent of the old man. She smiled. To anyone else he would look dead but she knew he was still very much alive.

"Alright sir. Time to bring you back to your home." she said walking over. She pulled out the mug and poured the contents of the first pot in before pouring the contents of the second smaller one in watching as them mixed together. Made sure they were ready before helping the elder man to sit up and helped him to drink the potion. For a moment, it seemed like nothing had changed but then out of nowhere he coughed and started to take bigger more steady breaths. She smiled at this. "That's much better." she said smiling one of her usual smiles for the first time that day. She looked to the lady at his bed side. "Give him a little of this every hour until it is gone. Make sure it lasts for at least four hours. By the time he finishes it all he will be good as new if not better." she instructed then walked out of the tent only to be greeted by the same mistrust she had started with. She sighed.

"Your elder is fine." she told them bluntly.

The man who talked to her before looked at her, then nodded, simply walking off, not wanting to be in her presence at the moment. And he didn't want to give away anything about their plan. By the time she gets home, the beast might be dead.

Hopefully.

Hyano found this kind of strange but didn't say anything. Instead, she just started for home. Maybe things wouldn't be as bad as she thought they would be. This put a skip in her step and she started running for him. Hopefully Ren would still be there.

-Meanwhile at the shack-

Ren had been sitting on the cot peacefully, watching his squeaking toy as it ran in one place in the strange glass container, amusing himself with it. But of course, the little rodent had its limits as well, so soon, it simply laid down and didn't move, breathing hard, tired from the 'game'. So, the Nazgul held the glass upside down, letting the shipmunk land in his armored palm, then poked it a few times, watching as it simply refused to move much, so put it into the box with the food, letting it replenish its energy with the remaining strange things in it. He watched it for a few minutes, before sounding a loud sigh and prepared to meditate for the rest of the day.

But it was short-lived. Soon enough, he could hear the sound of approaching feet, and groaned.

Another bunch of foolish mortals wishing to die?

Knowing from their heavier footsteps that the dwarf wasn't with them, he stood with the help of her staff and grabbed the box, then went towards the opening to the cellar... which wasn't open. Easy to help it. He fumbled a bit with it, but eventually managed to open it, and climbed down, going to the back of the cellar, where it was darker.

And waited.

He waited for minutes, but no sound of thundering feet above him came, neither the hushed voices nor shouts of the mortals could be heard. What are they doing? He tilted his head to the side, then met the equally curious and tired shipmunk's gaze, before deciding to go and see. He put the box down, and walked up to the entrance...

There, he was met with the heat... and the sudden flickering of the fire. He let out a surprised and shocked shriek, stepping away from the cellar's entrance, instinctively wanting to flee the destroying fire. However, its light was no help with his situation. It blinded him, so the only indication about his current situation compared to the fire was its heat. And it was close. He shrieked and hissed, trying to find a way out, but the only way he could go was backwards... back into the cellar. He fell right in, not able to watch his step, then retreated into the back of the basement, hissing all the while, grabbing the box with the squeaking rodent and the staff.

It didn't take long for the fire to spread and engulf the whole shack, seeing it was made of dried wood, the herbs, plants and potions made were no help in this situation, but worsened it. Soon, the cellar was engulfed halfway in fire as well, when the house and its wood gave up the fight against this force, and simply collapsed.

Hyano was nearing the shack when the smell of fire soon caught her attention along with smoke.

"Wh-what the…?" she mumbled then took off running. Ren hated fire. She remembered that from the day she lit the caldron. So, there was no way in hell he was the cause behind it. She came into the clearing and was met with the blaze which was once her home. "Oh no... REN!" she yelled her eyes only going wider as the buildings walls crashed. She ran up to it and took a deep breath, summoning the magic that flowed through her veins, swinging her hands outwards, a good part of the fire going out instantly but not all of it. She didn't care though. She jumped up onto the ash and firewood which had once been her home and started yelling and pulling off burnt pieces of wood. "Ren! Ren! Answer me!" she called cringing as her hands got burnt but refused to stop her search for the dark creature her eyes full of tears from a mix of sadness and the effects of the smoke. She coughed then kicked off a rather heavy piece. "Ren!"

Her answer was silence.

Kind of. The only sound that answered her call was a faint squeaking, which became louder with time. Soon, small scratching sounds could be heard somewhere at the end of the burned down and collapsed shack, accompanied by more squeaking and chirping. The little chipmunk actually survived, and was now trying to free itself from the rubble, but its way was blocked by a wooden piece, and it desperately tried to escape the not too pleasant prison.

Hyano just barely caught the sound and ran over to the wood piece.

"Ship?!" she cried before grabbing the piece and pulling up with all the force she had. She was able to get it up over her head and tossed it. At this moment she wasn't sure if she was mad or glad her house was made of a dry wood. For once it burnt easily but that also made the pieces easy to lift in situations like this. Any other house would have crushed anything inside. "Ship! Are you alright?! Where's Ren?" she asked the little rodent. Unlike Ren, she could actually talk this creature. It came off as odd to anyone who was watching but at the moment she could care less.

The little rodent breathed in deeply once it was removed from the smoking remains of the shack, savoring the fresh air. It rested in the wizard's palm for a little while, taking deep breaths, calming itself in the process. Finally, when it felt it had enough energy to communicate, it squeaked a few times, telling her it was feeling indeed alright. Well, alright, considering it just survived a house fire. At the question of where the wraith was, it jumped down from her hand and went back in the hole it crawled out, wanting to lead her to it, but well... she cannot crawl after it, but it kept squeaking and chirping, making sure she heard it. It was actually because of Ren that it survived, as the wraith curled up as the house collapsed, shielding the chipmunk as well from the rubble. However, if he was alive, it didn't know, since the Nazgul didn't move ever since or uttered a sound.

The wizard moved piece after piece of wood until she came to the destroyed entrance of the cellar. She could still hear the rodent squeaking. When the people came and did this, Ren must have done what he always did and hid in the basement not knowing what was coming. She cringed before grabbing a nicely sized piece and tossing it yelping as it sliced her hand. She had to go through this for a few more minutes before she came to the darkness known as Ren.

"Ren!" she cried out as she finally got to him. She put her hand on his shoulder and the other on his chest to try to move him from his curled state. "Please be alright. Please be alright. Please be alright." she kept repeating as she moved him as best she could to get a better look at him.

The reaction to her touch was immediate. The wraith suddenly let out a furious screech, throwing himself at the one who dared hurting him, or wanted to get rid of him with the fire. He thought the ones who did this have just come back and try to finish what they started. But no such luck! He might be tired, yes, even slightly shocked by the fire, yes, but not beaten and most certainly not dead. After all... how do you kill something that already left the world of the living, only existing in a spectral form? Fools! He managed to pin down the one, and drew back one of his metal-covered hands, then slammed it down... next to the head of his prey to frighten it at first, letting his claws dig into the burned remains of the shack, before drawing it back again, hissing sharply.

Before she knew what had happened she was pinned her head hitting the burnt ground roughly. She cringed gritting her teeth to not yell then saw the Wraith above her and her eyes went huge when he slammed his claw down giving her a good shock. She panted heavily watching his claw as he brought it up then looked into his cloak where his face should be.

"R-Ren?" she stammered up to him then gritted her teeth before yelling. "REN!" Hoping to break him out of whatever was making him attack her. If she was in his shoes likely a huge amount of fear and anger. He likely wasn't thinking straight.

The wraith hissed right back at her yelling, flexing his hand, getting ready to bring it down once more, but stopped and looked to the side, hearing the loud squeaking of... the shipmunk as it crawled up on his robe, and stopped at his shoulder, sitting there, holding a nut which it got from the box that was slightly intact as well, munching on it, making itself comfortable. The Nazgul followed its movements with his hooded head, then lowered his raised hand. Now looking back down, he actually realized who it was, and gave her a scolding hiss.

"Annoyyyiiinnggg..." he said again, displeased with the situation, the shack, the fire, the people, and even with her right now. Finally, the wraith backed up, standing, and started looking over his highly tattered robe, watching as it still smoldered from the fire that reached him, but luckily did not burn his robes away.

Hyano groaned as she sat up thanking every God she knew of for making chipmunks. She rubbed the back of her head. "No surprise there..." she grumbled at his comment then looked around. Whoever did this would likely be back. She couldn't stay here anyway. The villagers made it clear that she was no longer welcome. She stood up, cringing, feeling her body weak from the burns before pointing. "Go." she told him. They needed to leave. She knew of a place they could go but here was no longer an option. She waved for him to follow her and started making her way out of the rubble that used to be her home.

At this, Ren couldn't help but tilt his head to the side, still trying to get rid of the smoldering of his robes. Leave? Why leave? His mind did not understand why she would leave her territory? He for one wasn't willing to give it up. Why doesn't she fight? Doesn't she have any pride, but pull back and go away, letting them win? He was a Ringwraith, hundred times as strong as a simple wraith...

He will not let them claim this ground!

Burned down shack or not... He hissed at her cowardice, backing up, shaking his hooded head. "Staaayyy..." he said, finally uttering something else than 'annoying', remembering this word when she wanted him to stay at her shack. And now, he wanted them to stay and fight for what is theirs.

The wizard blinked as he used a word she told a good while before. She was a little surprised he remembered it. She thought a moment. Why on earth would he want to stay? He was weak still and he wasn't going to get much better if they stayed here. She looked up at him then sighed. He was crazy. But a part of her wanted to stay as well. This had been her home for some time now and it wasn't fair that she was being forced out. She looked around at the ash that was once their home before clinching her fists.

"Fine..." she said. "Stay." she added before walking out of the rubble but only until she was in the clearing. Then she started picking up tree seeds. If they were going to stay they needed a new home. And this time it wasn't going to be as easy to take down. She turned back. "Come!" she called to him waving him over trying to get him out of the way.

Pleased with her choice, and that she listened to him, the Nazgul took a step forward, slightly curious why she wanted him to go to her. Well, he did not understand the word, but he saw this sign all too many times. But this was when he noticed something. There was nothing to lean on. He stopped in his tracks and turned a bit, then turned around completely, looking for the dwarf's staff. He went back to the rubble and started rummaging around among it, before letting out a satisfied hiss as he stood with the desired object in his hands. Well, slightly burned but still intact. He also picked up the slightly damaged box, in which the strange glass was and into which the rodent retreated to now, munching on its content. Using the staff, he shuffled over to her, taking his time. He wasn't able to meditate too much, last night's trouble and this sapped most of his energy, forcing him to take it slow, his movements seemed also slightly forced. But his pride wouldn't let him leave this territory. It was his and his alone! No one forces a Ringwraith away from his home!

The young wizard watched him for a moment, waiting for him to move out of the way. She then whispered over the seeds, letting a glowing magical aura engulf them before giving them a toss, making sure they landed next to one another. She quickly pulled out a flute and began to play a soft melody yet the sound itself held a magical spell in it. Before the seeds hit the ground they formed into a wide circle around where their home used to be. She closed her eyes and continued to play the music growing thicker. It filled the air around them as if she wasn't the only one playing. Out of nowhere the seeds started to sprout, then they shot up into trees forming a wall like structure before starting to intertwine with each other creating the roof. The remains of their home started to be moved by vines forming into the doors and windows. It took her some time but by the time she stopped playing before them was a home grown from the earth. She panted softly, the whole ordeal having taken a lot more energy than she really had to spare.

Ren watched her with interest as she played, tilting his head to the side, feeling the magic once more, and so having his spectral body react to it negatively, as if preparing to defend from it. But he did everything to relax it, with more or less success. The wraith stood for a while, but had to sit some time later, his energy having been sapped out by the stress in the past days. He wanted to sit quietly while she played, but lost his footing and grip on the staff, and soon he landed with a loud thud on his behind. As if nothing happened, he sat cross-legged and pulled the staff close, setting it across his lap. To say the least, if you take away the feeling of magic, the music wasn't so bad actually. Well, he would prefer something stronger and faster, but he could get used to this every day. He didn't know why. It just… He never heard anything like this before, the melody and the tune simply attracted his attention, not letting it go. His gaze soon was drawn by the sudden movements in front of them, and watched as the trees grew from the ground, no doubt forming their new home. Or... his new home. The dwarf will be just tolerated of course. Because she is his servant in his mind. Once it was finished, he tilted his head to the one side, then the other, inspecting the new construction from afar, not sure what to think of it.

Hyano sat beside him for a few minutes to catch her breath. It was a bit bigger than their last home. Mostly because she assumed they might need the space. Ren was a rather large creature despite the fact he had no real body and depending on how long he stuck around she thought they might need their own room.

The wraith only looked briefly to the side when she sat down next to him, but otherwise ignored her existence for a while. He didn't want to deal with her at the moment... Not with his tired mind, and hoped she won't try starting up a conversation none of them could understand.

Once she felt she was rested enough she got up and turned to him.

"Stay." she instructed him wanting him to stay where he was for the moment.

He was kind of grateful she stood and walked off to the tree, so he could have some time alone, enjoy the quiet, the peace, and finally rest a little bit, trying to regenerate. He knew the gesture she showed him, she wanted him to stay where he was. Fine. Not like he wanted or could move from his position. Once she was gone, he shifted slightly, sitting more comfortably before starting his meditation.

She wanted to make sure there were no more sparks and clean up a good deal before they officially moved in. she opened the ash wood door and looked around. The floor had reconstructed itself with the help of the vines but this also meant that the basement was gone. The vines of the tree likely filling up the space anyway. Their cots were destroyed leaving only scraps of fabric left. She picked them up and made shades for the window out of them. They would have to make do with the floor until she could make them new beds. Ren might not like that so much. What he might hate even more is the fact her food survived. She couldn't help a giggle before noticing the staff she had made. She reached down and picked it up. Both ends had burned slightly taking down the size until it was more her size. She smiled and spun it once. She guessed she could get used to the new look. She then walked out and got herself a rather large tree leaf before coming back and using it like a broom to sweep out the ash leaving an empty space. The house was completely empty of anything. If there wasn't so much ash, dust you would never know anyone had ever lived there.

Once she had finished she stepped out and called to him. "Ren! Come!" she called and waved him over wanting him to see her work. She kind of felt like a child about to show their father the good work they did. She was proud their new home.

He didn't know how much he managed to rest his mind, but the next thing he knew was that the dwarf called to him again. He jerked his head up and looked up, then turned his gaze towards her, standing at the entrance of their... ehm... his new home. He let out a mix of a hiss and a groan, then with the help of the staff he stood, almost falling once back, then once he was up, he almost fell forward, but eventually, he managed to stand on his own. Slowly, he made his way towards her, recognizing the word and gesture. She wanted that he joins her there. Once there, he peered inside the new construction. It was empty. But luckily dark. Not that he was complaining. He was a wraith... and wraiths have no special needs. They don't need to be spoiled, or have decorations in their home. But he still wanted some of his belongings back... Especially knowing that he wasn't able to look through everything... He stepped inside the 'house' and let his invisible gaze wander along the ground, and the walls. To his dismay... the cellar was gone. Well, maybe this meant the loss of a dark room, but at least there will be no more case of being trapped.

Hyano sighed and sat down by the window letting what little light that could shine on her. It was enough to help her feel a little less worn out but it would be sun down soon. That would likely make him feel better and a real good night's sleep would be good for her as well. In the morning she was going to go visit the village. If they were going to stay here like Ren wanted she would have to go do something about them. She didn't feel like having her home set on fire more than once.

The Nazgul walked over to one of the walls with the support of the staff and raised a hand, touching the wooden surface. Well, it wasn't much one can feel through metal gauntlets, but he was able to feel the life radiating off of it. Well, a living house... What does one expect if their home was made of living trees? He shuffled about a little more, reaching out to touch the fabric in front of the windows, recognizing it. It was from the cot he used to sit on... which of course didn't survive the fire. Not that he needed it. His kind normally sat and meditated on the ground. They are wraiths. They don't care about comfort or living conditions. They mostly spend their time in the wild anyway. If they aren't in the shape he is in right now... Otherwise, they usually travel back to either Minas Morgul or Mordor to regenerate. He however was fleeing from that location, and has no way of returning to it, or the energy to do so.

The wizard took care of a few more oddities before looking at him, then pointed to the darkest part of the room. "Rest." she told him, certain that if he couldn't understand the word he would probably do it anyway.

He heard her speak again and point towards a corner. What does she want now? She didn't use the word 'go' which means she didn't say to go there... But then again... no way he would obey her. Only his master shall command him. Not this dwarf. He ignored her and walked about a little bit more, before sitting down in another darker corner, putting the staff across his lap, sighing once. He was tired. Very much so... and wanted nothing more than silence, so he can meditate again.

She sighed, shaking her head at the impossible creature, then looked at her hands. In all her excitement she had honestly forgotten that her hands were both cut up and burned from moving hot wooden pieces not too long ago. The fact she was only a child showed as the pain started to register in her mind and her eyes filled with tears she couldn't stop. She gritted her teeth before sighing. "Annoying..." she mumbled softly. She was a healer, yes, but it wasn't as easy to heal yourself as it was others. The flow of energy to one's self didn't always work because since it was their own energy, many times the body just tries to reabsorb it instead of doing the needed healing. She at least needed to get the wood splinters out of her hands, though. She wasn't exactly sure how. She didn't have anything to get them with and burnt bloody fingers did not make the best grabbing tools.

Once she uttered the word which showed him she was displeased with something, he simply repeated it after her, although, a little stretched, showing her he felt the same. Her tone seemed to be wavering though, which caused him to look up and towards her, tilting his head to the side. He never heard this tone from her before. Only did he ever meet this kind of tone when he was about to kill someone... But he wasn't hurting her, was he?

She felt him watching her and looked up. He had inspected the house and found himself a place to rest it looked like. She thought she must be confusing him. She sighed then got up and walked over to him, sitting cross-legged in front of him before holding her hands out to show him her current problem. Her finger tips were burnt the worst but the worst part of her pain at the moment was the rather large cut across the palm of her hand that she had gotten while moving a large wood piece to try to get to him. Not to mention all the splinters she had stuck in her hands now.

"Hurts." she said sadly before putting her hands down and looking away not expecting any help. She just didn't want to leave him confused is all.

He followed her movements with his head and watched as she sat across from him, holding out her hands, saying another word he didn't know. Well, it must mean she was injured or something, considering it did look wounded. How she got all these injuries, he didn't know. The scent of her blood soon reached his senses and felt himself react to it. The scent of a mortal's blood was alluring, it attracted their attention, intoxicating them and leaving them wanting more from it. But also the sheer existence of this red liquid disgusted them. Its substance was something to hate, flowing, yet not. Funny situation really. To be attracted yet be repulsed by something. He regained his senses once she pulled her hand away, however, he couldn't help but keep his gaze on them...

She noticed he was still watching her hands after she had pulled them away. She tilted her head slightly before looking to his hands... or gauntlets rather. That's when an idea popped into her head. She looked at her hands until she found a rather large splinter and slowly started to work it out cringing and gritting her teeth the whole way. Once she had it out she tossed it before holding her hands out to him again. He seemed to have a thing for causing discomfort. Or at least that's what she noticed from the way he treated the shipmunk. Maybe he would see this as an opportunity to do the same to her as well.

The wraith tilted his dark hooded head to the side as she worked. And now... she is hurting herself.

Stupid.

He didn't know why it was good to damage an already injured body part. He watched her as she pulled out something that didn't belong into her hand and tossed it away, watching as the object fell on the floor and rolled away, while her face showed her suffering. He tilted his head to the side as she held her hand out to him. Does she want that he does the same? He didn't know what good it would do, other than... see her pain, and hear her gasps. The scent of fresh blood again tempted his senses, as it now flowed freely from the wound that was set free from the object. Slowly, he raised one of his metal-covered hands and took her hand in his, then raised the other as well, and soon used the sharp tip of his gauntlet to get a hold of one of the tiny bits, then pulled it out.

The little girl gritted her teeth tears streaming down her cheeks as he yanked the bit out. It hurt and she was only a child. What did you seriously expect? Honestly, if she was any normal child she likely would be bawling her eyes out right now, but she had no one to cry to. She didn't even have a clue as to who her parents were. She had been raised for the most part by the brown wizard. At least until he disappeared. Killed more likely. She squeezed her eyes shut every nerve in her body wanting to pull away or twitch from the pain but she refused to let it happen staying as still as she could. "... Th-thank you..." she forced out.

The scent of her tears was heavy in the air, but it was drowned out by the scent of her blood. The more splinters he pulled out, the more blood was set free, rewarding his work. Which also made him do it further. He heard her speak a few words he didn't understand, and looked up briefly to inspect her expressions just then pulling out another splinter. He couldn't recognize any other emotion than pain in her eyes or her face, so simply dismissed it and continued his work. She deserves this pain for being ungrateful for defending his territory, and so her home. It took him a while, but eventually, he cleaned her hand, leaving it still bloody, which he found a good enough reward. He soon started to do the same to her other hand as well. He took it slow, not rushing; there was no reason to hurry up. Instead, he let himself savor the scent of her blood. The longer he did it, the longer he can enjoy his reward. The whole process didn't last as long as he would have hoped, and soon her hands were cleaned from the splinters.

She was left panting her hands almost numb from the pain and let her hands rest in her lap for a moment. Honestly, she was just too tired to move but she needed to clean out her wounds and cover them so they wouldn't get infected. She slowly stood up.

"Stay" she mumbled tiredly then walked out of their new home.

He stayed there as she told him to, but not because he obeyed her, but because he was too fatigued to move anyway. And where would he go? This one was one of the darkest places in the room. Why would he want to give it up? He shifted in his position to completely lean against the wall, getting comfortable to relax. He took a deep breath and exhaled, feeling his energy somewhat return, sensing that the sun will soon vanish and leave the world without its protection. Leaving the world on its own... defenseless against the ones like him.

She left and found a stream to wash her hands out in before ripping off a few pieces of her clothes to create proper wrappings for them. She came back a little later her hands cleaned of the extra blood and wrapped properly. She also carried some more nuts for shipmunk. She assumed he deserved a little something for helping her find Ren. She walked over and put them in the pot before sitting down again where she started noting a few drops of her blood on the floor. She also noticed he still didn't understand what 'thank you' meant, seeing his unresponsive reaction to the words when she uttered them a few times before already. She thought a moment, then got on her knees properly and bowed her head.

"Thank you." she said hoping this time he would get it. Bowing was universally known...right? She honestly didn't know.

After a while, he looked up when he heard her steps again. Light and quick, easy to recognize and memorize. He watched as she entered, disappointed that her hands were now somewhat clean, void of her delicious yet disgusting blood, and is now wrapped in some kind of fabric. He followed her movements with his hooded head, watching as she sat, then did something he didn't really expect. Well, he did, but he didn't think she would do it. She bowed to him, saying the same words she did not long ago. So, these words are expressing her gratefulness for what he did? For picking out the splinters from her hands? He let out a faint hiss, raising his head higher, expressing he was pleased at her action, and acknowledged her show of gratefulness.

Hyano saw his reaction and smiled. Alright, so he got it. Good. That fixed that problem now. She sighed then moved to the lighter part of the house to rest for a moment. That light didn't last long though. She felt the sun go down and groaned. Great... she looked at Ren.

"... Good night Ren..." she mumbled softly before her head slumped down and she fell over officially dead to the waking world. Even if she wasn't connected to the sun like she was she probably would have passed out anyway. The day had just been too much and she doubted the next couple would be any better. She had a nagging feeling the village wasn't going to be their only problem. They had threatened to get the Order involved and while she hadn't done anything wrong, she did have a wraith in her house so she was likely to have to deal with that kind of hell soon.

Her answer was a faint hiss back. He heard her say these words before, and recognized it as an announcement that she is going to sleep now. But why she didn't just lay down softly as everyone else, he didn't know. Even the orcs found it more convenient to just lay down, and never... threw themselves against the ground. And now, he was on his own again, free to do as he wished. The night has fallen, which is his world. But... what can he do? His hooded head turned to the side, lowering to the rodent as it stopped munching on the nuts now, and was now struggling to get out of the box, but had trouble with because of its bigger belly. His invisible gaze turned to the glass container he managed to save, and simply picked it up, then grabbed the shipmunk, and let it slide inside its narrow end. He watched as it stood, then he proceeded to hold the glass sideways, watching as the squeaking animal started running in place again, trying to get its balance. While he amused himself with the rodent, he managed to stand with the help of the staff, and walked outside, walking past the sleeping dwarf. There was nothing to do inside, so he searched for something outside. There surely are some remains he can search through. There were a few rubbles and remains of belongings from the older shack, so decided to check it out and see what he can find.

For the rest of the night, he sat outside, searching through the ground and the area around the tree house, picking up and collecting intact or slightly broken items he found, with the shipmunk sitting on his shoulder, munching on another nut. When the sun started to rise, he pulled back under a tree to shield himself from its rays, and simply sat there, starting his meditation, briefly admiring the good amount of items he managed to collect in a rather well-sized pile next to the entrance.

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