The Warlock (BxB)

Chapter 11

They were behind after getting sidetracked. Casimir didn't mind the delay, but it annoyed his companion. It wasn't like they could change things now. Logain made his choice by deciding to help the children. He didn't regret helping them, but he wasn't expecting their tale to be so tragic. He felt bad for the children, and he felt worse for them when he glanced at them sulking behind him.

The prince stayed close to the children as they followed behind Logain. He carried the little boy in one of his arms, while he held the girl's hand with his other. Their pace was slow, but Logain didn't rush them. If it were just the prince, then he would have told him to pick up the pace. However, after what the children went through, Logain wouldn't force them. They needed time to heal and process what happened. After all, the warlock knew loss quite well. He had too many years to experience it.

Since they were behind, they didn't reach the next village before the sun began to set. The path they took didn't have any place where they could find shelter for the night either. There were no houses or inns. There was nothing besides the outdoors all around them. The children grew tired and while Logain could skip sleeping, they wouldn't be able to. They needed to stop somewhere to rest, but there was nowhere that Logain could see.

Casimir noticed Logain's dilemma. He suggested, "We can take shelter in the woods for now. You know how to create fire, so that'll keep us warm for the night."

"No. Do you know how dangerous the woods can be? There are demons, animals, and maybe even bandits. We can't risk sleeping out in the open like that." Logain wouldn't allow it. He wouldn't put them all in danger. "If we keep going down the path, then we're bound to find somewhere to rest for the night."

"Logain . . . there's nothing around us. We could walk for hours if we go through with your idea, and the children need rest. It's been a long day for them." The prince didn't wait for Logain's response. They might not have known each other for long, but Casimir knew well enough by now that if he didn't make a move, then he would be arguing with the warlock for a while. He also knew that Logain would follow him even if he didn't agree with him.

And just as he thought, the warlock was trailing behind him, cursing under his breath the whole time. Casimir smiled to himself. Logain was predictable. The warlock was combative and liked to argue, but he caved pretty quickly. Deep down, he had a good heart. If he didn't, then he never would have bothered to help the children and their older sister. He would have allowed the demon to suffer and would've abandoned the children. Hell, Logain would have abandoned him the first chance he got, but he didn't. He stuck around and was determined to get Casimir home.

The prince slowed down so that Logain could catch up to him. He fell into pace beside the warlock, who was glaring daggers at him. Casimir gave him a sheepish smile. "You'll thank me after you've gotten some rest as well. If it makes you feel any better, then you and I can take turns keeping watch. We can watch out for danger that way."

Logain rolled his eyes. "No need. I don't need to sleep like your mortals do, so I can keep watch the whole night while you get the rest you need."

"You don't need to sleep? But you definitely slept soundly the other night in the village we rescued." Casimir raised an eyebrow at him. He clearly remembered Logain resting the other night.

"I never said that I don't need sleep at all. I do need to rest, but it's different from mortals. I can go a couple of days or even weeks without feeling tired," Logain explained.

Since he rested the other night, he would be good for a while. He didn't mind keeping watch either. He would feel much safer if he was the one keeping guard. His magic might have been unstable at times, but his power would be able to scare away anything that tried to sneak up on them.