My Warlock savior

The Escape

That morning when I hit the last step, I was already on the verge of tears. Birch stood his beautiful face being lite up by the window. His well fitted clothing, shifting slightly with his small movements. I stared, not able to imagine my life without that man. All he's done for me, yet I imagine that rope around his neck after being accused. I wonder, did the rope scream as loud as the human? Birch wouldn't scream, he would curse them, rightfully so.

He looked over, eyes locked onto me. His face softened for a moment as he watched my crying face. I didn't want to lose him!

"I don't want you to die." I finally gestured as he approached, his face hardened. He crossed his arms with a shrugged, but didn't say anything for a moment. Not until I dried my face, and composed myself.

"Happy birthday." His hands were light but his face stiff, then moved away from the table to show a small pastry. "I know it's your favorite." I gave him a weak smile, still working through my emotions. How could I have forgotten my own birthday? The stress must have been eating at me more than I considered.

"Thank you." I gestured, I sat alone and ate the pastry, sending him a few glances. It was hard to know how he truly felt about me, sometimes soft, usually stiff. I thought we at least respectfully got along, but then I think of the swipe across my face. I know why he did it, but that didn't take away the pain in the moment. Sometimes I wish he would just tell me if he despised my company, I would leave so he could be at peace if that was the case...

He set a few bottles with some notes before me, walking away without word. I knew exactly what needed to be done, pushing all the thought back, I grabbed my little cloak and set off to town.

The mood wasn't much different, everyone was still on edge, moving around carefully. It seemed some shops were reluctant to open, but still did for the business. I juggled all four of the bottles in my hand, trying to arrange them in the order of drop off, I had reached the middle of the town, being to close to the puritans camp for my comfort. My foot snagged onto a branch, causing me to fall forward and drop the vials. As I caught myself, the glass shattered into the rocks the medical contents pouring out. My hand was extended down as if trying to capture one, a faint smoke cloud combining from the dried herbs. I gasped, worried that Birch would be upset.

In my worry, I seemed to have forgotten my place in town. A rough hand grabbed my shoulder, pulling me to a full standing position. People stood around me, fear in their eyes. I looked up to the man who had me in his grasp, at first I thought it was Minister Jolly. I could feel the thundering tone he yelled towards the towns people and his aggressive pointing from the broken bottles then to me. I scrunched my face confused, but shook my head no. The fear seemed to wipe from their faces as anger over took them.

The towns people closed in, hands grabbing me from all angles. Pulling my arms, my clothes and a few pulling my hair. I gasped, not sure if I was screaming as they started to dragged me to the hanging post. It seemed they didn't need a trail for me... Through my fear all I could think of was Birch. Would he miss me? Would he be sad?

It was almost as if my thoughts transferred to him, as he appeared. He pushed through the towns people, an image of him I've never seen. His eyes and hands glowing in his purple flame. An open book in one hand as his lips called out spells. I had fallen to the ground, turning to see him tower over me. Thick vines pushed everyone away.

He was using magic, on the towns people!

Once everyone was away from us, he reached down, his hand still flaming purple. I grabbed his, knowing I wouldn't be burned, once to my feet, he gave me a push to run. I did as he said, but kept glancing behind. He wasn't following.

"Come!" I gestured, this was all my fault and he would die because of it! He turned, his movement almost animalistic as he glowed even from so far away. He casted another spell, hitting me and without my command, my body turned and ran to the cabin.

The spell released once the doors were closed. I couldn't see him, but the towns people were quick. They had torches, and other farming equipment, coming for the cabin. I locked the doors, but they broke through the windows. I was able to slip out of the grips that reached for me, but that didn't stop the fire being thrown into the cabin. I ran from the main entrance to see that they had the building surrounded. Had they already killed Birch and I was next? Did I even have a chance? The fire built quickly, there was no exit without the possibility of being stabbed.

In panic, I ran up to the second floor, slamming my door. Rocks were being thrown up to my window, but for a moment, I didn't smell the smoke, or feel the heat. It was enough to convince myself that it was over. Maybe this was for the better? If there was an after life for little warlocks, I would still be with Birch... right?

Almost like a flashback, all the way back to the first night he stepped through the wall to give me the bread that saved my life, his body pressed through the wall next to me. He was gasping for air, beads of sweat rolling down his face as he climbed in on his hands and knees.

"We fight. Until the end." He gestured, wrapping his purple cloak around me. "Get up, and fight." I jumped up, doing just as he said. My blue flames started rolling out, I had never been able to let it fully show, but now things were different. A different kind of power flooded through me.

"Let's fly." My face contorted to the gesture as he pushed open the door leading to the balcony. A few stones hit us, but he mouthed a spell and with a shove, I was tossed into the air. My breath caught in my throat, but instead of falling to the ground, the fire of the cabin became smaller. I twisted peering into the treetops. The spell was controlling the cloak around me. The air pushing hard against my face, the fire being only a dot in the night sky, but where was Birch? What would I do if I landed without him? I twisted again, seeing a small dot of purple in the distance. There he was, coming for me again.

Coming to save me.