Yesteryear

Kang Yeosang

The inn that the horse trader had sent Wooyoung to turned out to be tucked away in a corner between the outer city wall and the spread of the marketplace. Its secluded spot provided some privacy from the bustling and tapping of hooves on the main street. Once Wooyoung had checked out the pretty wooden board with the painted beaver on it that slumbered in a field of dandelions, he set out to the hill leading to the upper city wall. The residence of the reigning lord was rather modest, but it was secluded by a drawbridge and yet another high brick wall. From the distance, Wooyoung saw it was open to pass through that day.

With his eyes on the tall house flanked by two towers that loomed over the city like vicious gods, Wooyoung scaled the hill. He passed women in colourful long dresses and baskets on their hips, two men that held each other's collars as they fought over the price of fruit, and a swarm of geese that honked on their way down the street.

In the distance, a blacksmith hammered around on some metal. When Wooyoung passed another inn, the delicious taste of roasted meat reached his nose. Maybe he could convince Yeosang to accompany him to lunch.

With his wandering staff at his side and greeting the people that smiled at him, Wooyoung soon reached the building the horse trader had assumed Wooyoung would find Yeosang in. The milky windows had diamond-shaped iron grits all over them. Plants on the inside of the room gave the glass a green shine.

In the background, a church rung its bells, announcing the next hour dawning upon the gradually waking city. Wooyoung neatly put his staff aside on the corner of the house and lifted his hand to knock on the door. With his hand clutching the strap of his bag, he waited for entrance.

It took only a moment until the patter of feet inside closed in on the door. Wooyoung put on his friendliest smile when the heavy wood swung open and exposed a woman. She wore a white apron stained with flour over her light blue dress and a white bonnet held back her hair. Some stubborn curls dangled around her round face.

At the sight of Wooyoung, surprise crossed her features. Curiosity glinted in her eyes when she greeted him.

"Hello, stranger. What brings you to my humble home?" Her voice was warm and smooth; gentle like that of a mother. Wooyoung grinned boyishly.

"I'm searching for someone and heard he lives here. Are you acquainted with one Kang Yeosang?"

"Oh, I am! He never had handsome visitors before; I'm surprised he knows those of your rank." With a wink at him, she turned to the stairs leading up into the building. Her voice carried through the wooden insides of her home.

"Yeosang? You have a visitor!"

Once she was done yelling, she smiled at Wooyoung again. As they waited for a moment, she stemmed her hands on her chubby hips. One of her palms still carried a cooking spoon.

Only a moment passed before something clattered upstairs. The thud of a book landing on the floor right above them had Wooyoung wince. The lady sighed.

"Excuse him, he is a clumsy fool. What brought you to search for him?"

"I'm interested in myths and legends and I travel for my lord to write the most interesting ones down in a book. Yeosang was the person I got advised to visit."

Gleefully, the lady clapped into her hands. Through her cheer, the door upstairs opened and feet came thundering over the corridor.

"Then you are in the right spot! Nobody has more fantastical stories to tell than him. I'm sure that he will appreciate your interest," she said. Wooyoung just nodded, distracted by the male who came skittering down the stairs. He wore leggings and a tunic just like Wooyoung did, although Yeosang's were a simple brown. Wild brunet hair flicked into his eyes and back out when he threw it off with a huff. His youthful features were calm and pretty, as if polished by the water of the rivulet in the forest. When he came to stand in front of them with his breath quickened, Wooyoung decided to like him.