"I'll take the first watch," said Kay.
While alone, there were some things he had left up to chance, namely, his safety at night. Though it had only been for a single night, he had been left with no other choice than to sleep unprotected. Nothing had come of it, but he didn't want to keep tempting fate; he had survived in the jungle up until now and he'd very much like to avoid becoming a jaguar's nighttime snack.
The pair was exhausted, but considering Sanson's utility it was more important that the old man get his rest. Far too tired, the wizard dozed off by the fire. He straddled his staff like a body pillow, as he enjoyed sweet dreams.
Considering that he was staying awake, Kay tried formulating a plan for tomorrow. Based on the Sanson's estimation, the tower for about ten miles in the direction they were headed. For a car, it'd take a couple hundred seconds. For two physically active men, it'd take an hour or two. For Sanson and Kay, two or three days would be the bare minimum.
There were simply too many things to look out for. Although he now had Sanson's magic, he'd rather avoid using it. For one, it was too destructive. If it saved them from a bloodthirsty lion, then great. But it was draining and any forest fires or floods would make their journey much harder. Kay had gotten lucky, being able to kill that deer. Without food, Kay would be low on energy and Sanson may not have recovered from his mana sickness.
That being said, he'd gladly abuse the hell out of the old man's utility spells. The silence spell would make it easy to gather more food and the night vision spell would make night time lookouts that much easier.
Tonight he hadn't asked Sanson to cast it. He'd pushed him far enough today. It pained Kay how he had to rely on his wizard companion.
Kay was trying to prove himself useful. He was trying to make up for his wasted life where he hadn't learned anything, but the harder he tried the more he ended up relying on those around him.
Without Sanson there'd be no deer meat and no fire. Right now, he'd be wandering through the jungle cold, alone, and helpless. He vowed to put his brain to use. If his body was useless and he didn't have any applicable skills, he'd just have to think harder. Solutions didn't present themselves; he had to find them.
He spent several hours deep in thought, until it was time for him to get some rest. After a couple tries, he roused Sanson from his sleep. He yawned deeply, sitting himself upright and staring bleary eyed into the distance. Not the most trustworthy lookout, but Kay didn't care.
Taking the plants he gathered earlier and tucking them into his dried suit jacket, he had made himself a pillow. The excess foliage made a decedent mattress, better than the cold and sticky mud floor.
In a matter of minutes he could feel his cousiness drifting away, the world of dreams becoming him. His body and mind numbed, sleep was a heartbeat away. He was ready to enjoy a well-deserved rest. When…
A wall of static noise overwhelmingly consumed the forest. Senses returned to his body and his mind was keenly alert. He'd heard the static last night, and the voice that followed made his blood flare with anger.
'There has to be a better time to schedule these. He has to be doing this on purpose.' he thought.
It was the god's voice. Wasting no time, he spoke six soul crushing words.
"Two more have reached the tower."