Twist of Fate

Chapter 5: Complications

"Stay here." Zulén ordered. "I'm going to see the Village Chief."

  "Okay."

  He stared at me with no expression. "Don't leave this room. Understood?"

  I sighed. "I won't, I won't. That wouldn't be a good idea in any way."

  He raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Just don't leave this room or open the door unless it's me. I won't be back for an hour or so."

  I nodded dully. "Sure."

  Zulén opened the door to our room and glanced back. "I will not repeat myself again, Kouríeó. You don't exactly have a clear record of listening to me, so I'm warning you this one time. Leave and you'll regret it." He slipped out the door and slammed it shut.

  I scowled and rolled my eyes. "He acts as if I'll try to run away. It's not like I have any idea where to go."

  I muttered to myself some more and fell back on my bed. I curled up on my side and relaxed into the soft mattress. For some reason, my muscles were strangely tensed and had been since Zulén rented our room. I hid the soreness from him but he seemed suspicious. I sighed in frustration. That man was far too perceptive. He could see through my act almost as if it wasn't there. But he couldn't tell exactly what I was hiding, thankfully.

  I flipped to my back and stared at the ceiling. The room we rented was painted a bright peach color that made my growing headache worse. The color was way too close to pink. The matching colored furniture and covers were not helping.

  "Why did he have to choose such an ugly room," I grumbled.

  The room was big and contained two beds, two desks, other furniture I have no idea their use is for, and a large bathroom about half the size of the room because of the bath. They had pipes here, apparently, but there was nothing remotely similar to electronics. The lights were all oil lamps, there was no TV, not that I expected it, no sockets or anything of the sort. It seemed that the people of Zestiol used other means to survive and entertain themselves.

  I breathed out loudly. "I wonder, will I ever get back home?" Not that I've tried to get back.

  I closed my eyes. There was no point having a thought like that. I arrived in the world of Zestiol when an explosion went off at close range. There was no explanation that clarified how I was teleported to another world, but it wouldn't help to be pessimistic. I should just maintain the same optimistic outlook I usually had and investigate ways to return back home.

  At some point, I fell into a deep, dreamless slumber. It was serene and calm until I heard a noise. Thankfully, I was a light sleeper even in deep sleep.

  My eyes slitted open to darkness. I sat up slowly and looked out the window. The sun had set and two moons glowed in the night sky. I smiled faintly and snapped out of my half-asleep daze as the sound that had disrupted my thankful sleep dispelled the silence again.

  I jumped to my feet. It sounded like people were running through the halls, opening and closing doors over and over again. I would've considered going out of the room to check if there was some kind of an emergency, but decided against it as I heard yelling outside.

  "Get anyone that looks strange!" A man's rough voice called a little ways from my room. "Master wants the Kaéwén before anyone gets there hands on it! Keep your eyes out for foreigners!"

  I frowned. I'd pretty much categorize as foreign, wouldn't I? And they mentioned "Kaéwén" again. What is it? Why would they need to search for strange or foreign people? What's going on?