Cautious

"Burn the village!"

"Ahh!" Lance shouted as he jolted awake.

He found himself lying in a small wooden room — a modest space with a single bed, a chair, and a desk scattered with books. The wooden floor creaked as he stepped down. A sudden sensation of being watched ran down his spine. He looked around — left, right, even behind him. No one.

He walked to the door — the only path out — but it wouldn’t budge.

Am I imprisoned? Did Sunflower mean it literally when she said she’d spare my life but not my freedom?
Lance frowned, trying to figure out his next move. Sitting in a cell for the rest of his life was not an option.

He sat at the desk, flipping open the books, hoping to learn more about where he was — maybe even pretend to be less suspicious. But the pages were filled with unfamiliar symbols, a language he didn’t understand. No images. No hope.

Guess I’ll just have to wait... though I’m sure someone’s watching me. That presence wasn’t a fluke.

In a spacious, well-lit room, two people sat cross-legged on a floor mat while servants brought in trays of food. One was Sunflower, carefully eyeing the dishes. Across from her sat the Chief of Tresia Village, Dawn Fright — a tall, sturdy man with a peppered beard and mossy green eyes that mirrored Sunflower’s. He wore a loose grey shirt and white trousers.

“Only two chickens? When I was your age, I brought home ten,” Dawn teased with a smirk.

“They’re too damn fast, old man. And don’t forget the real reason,” Sunflower shot back, her eyes still on the steaming food.

“Well, your ‘reason’ just woke up,” he said, grabbing a piece of meat and biting in.

“Good. We’ll eat, then question him before he passes out again.”

Dawn nodded, chewing. “By the way, what’s this guy’s deal? Doesn’t look strong. Pretty average. You sure you’re not being overly cautious?”

“I found him with just the clothes on his back. No gear, no tools. He couldn’t have made it here alone.”

“Maybe he lost his gear before he ran into you,” Dawn offered.

“But then why give a fake name? Why not recognize the place he claims to be from?” she fired back, shoveling rice and chicken into her mouth.

Dawn sighed. “Still not enough reason to toss him in the cellar. After we eat, let’s question him and send him on his way. If he’s innocent, you’ll compensate him — fair’s fair.”

“Ugh, fine,” Sunflower groaned.

“Burn it all...”

Lance snapped awake again, having drifted off from sheer boredom.

That voice again. What the hell is it? Why do I keep hearing it?

Burn the village... Was it symbolic? Literal? Just a mental echo? He didn’t want to believe it was a sign. He couldn’t burn a village — even if he wanted to. But it had started the moment he entered Tresia.

So maybe if I leave, the voice will go too...

Voices stirred outside. Keys jangled. The door creaked open.

Sunflower entered first, followed by Dawn. He filled the doorway with his height and presence, arms crossed, studying Lance.

“This isn’t a hotel room. You do realize you’re in a cellar?” Dawn began.

Lance nodded.

“And you know why you’re here.”

“I assume it’s because I’m an outsider and I seem suspicious,” Lance said calmly.

Dawn nodded. “That’s right. We believe you’re lying. But if you tell us the truth, I’ll personally guarantee your freedom — and compensation for your time spent here.”

“You leave me no choice, then,” Lance sighed. “I’ve lost my memory. I didn’t tell Sunflower because I didn’t want to seem even more suspicious... but that clearly backfired.”

Outside the door, one of Dawn’s men held a glowing cube. A second passed — and the cube emitted a faint green light.

Dawn grinned. “So that’s it. Told you, Sunflower, not to overthink it.” He turned back to Lance. “Sorry for the inconvenience. You’ll be compensated. Take a week to rest, if needed. All your travel goods will be provided — free of charge.”

Lance nodded in acknowledgment.

“But remember,” Sunflower said sternly, “don’t ever reveal the location of this village.”

“No problem,” Lance replied.

Dawn gave one last glance at the glowing cube — still green.

Good. No blood needed today.

Outside the cellar, as Lance stepped into the fresh air, the voice struck again.

"Burn the village!"
"Burn the village!"
"Burn the village!"

Lance dropped to one knee, clutching his head.

“Are you okay?” Sunflower asked, startled. “Do you need a doctor?”

“Yeah... I think I might,” Lance muttered, forcing himself back up.

“What did you just say?” 

They turned — and there stood Dawn, eyes cold, expression hard.

He thinks I mean it... “It’s the voice,” Lance explained quickly. “It’s been repeating the same phrase since I arrived. Does this happen to other people here?”

“A strange voice?” Dawn looked at Sunflower.

There was a pause. A subtle shift in the room's air.

Dawn’s face darkened.

“Perhaps... it’s good to be overly cautious sometimes.” He looked at Sunflower with steel in his voice.
“Sunflower. Take his head.”