Yesteryear

Myths about San

For a third and last time, Wooyoung and Yeosang went to eat together. This time, they asked the inn to pack the food on the plates they brought from Yeosang's home so they could carry them in their baskets. Yeosang showed Wooyoung the way to the old watchtower where he had originally come from. Since the tower wasn't in use anymore, it was free for anyone's enjoyment. It was also a popular dating spot, as Yeosang had told Wooyoung with a bashful blush hidden behind his hand.

With a smirk, Wooyoung had slung his arm around Yeosang's shoulders and teased him about whether there was a person in town that Yeosang would like to take up the isolated tower for dating purposes. When Wooyoung pointed out how peaceful of a kissing spot it was, Yeosang had grown redder than a tomato.

The tower wasn't occupied when the two arrived. They climbed up the winding staircase and emerged on the stone flat on top. Wooyoung whisked some fallen leaves aside while Yeosang spread out their picnic blanket. Their food was still warm when they distributed it between them.

With the delicious meat melting on his tongue, Wooyoung leaned back to stare out into the colourful forest. He wondered what San was doing. Had the thief group moved on already after the sheriff returned to hunt them? Or was evading him an easy play for them? As long as San was safe, Wooyoung didn't mind either way. They had made a promise, so both of them had to keep it.

"Your friend... Are you thinking about him?"

Yeosang's abrupt question ripped Wooyoung out of his thoughts. He hadn't noticed that he had been smiling subtly, but he hid it now by taking another bite of bread.

"All the time, yes. I apologise for drifting off," Wooyoung said around his food. He washed the big bite down with a sip of ale.

Yeosang shook his head.

"No need to apologise. I see how you two match each other. You must be very close." When Yeosang's voice drifted off oddly at the end, Wooyoung raised his eyes to check on him. He found the researcher's eyes stuck on the slope of his neck. He dimly remembered San leaving visible marks there in their shared night.

"We are. Do your beliefs go against two men together? Is that why you are apprehensive?"

This time, Yeosang shook his head with vigour.

"I believe in the bible but not in all of its rules. Too often, I felt attracted to men to condemn those men who lie with them. I'm not too firm of a believer, although I count myself to the more dedicated ones. Even though these beliefs spread through the lands among non-believers, since they are so popular. But no, this is not about the bible. I just heard some things about your friend, I believe. Although his name wasn't San in those rumours."

Wooyoung inclined his head curiously. Rumours about San sounded promising.

"His name is Alisander, and we also knew him for the terror he brought upon travellers when he was still a lone rogue. The people at church whispered about him since his name isn't one from here and neither is his face. He sticks out, but they feared him too much to ask questions."

"Did he also steal from the townspeople?" Wooyoung inquired. He was surprised that his emergency lie had lined up with San's life, but ever since they had spent so much time together in Norway, Wooyoung believed he had gained quite a good grasp on the man's personality.

"Similar to you, he often robbed those who wandered the woods by themselves. But contrary to Hood, he had a run-in with the sheriff before. Only because he survived that fight, Robin Hood took him under his protective wing." Yeosang's voice had dropped to a low whisper as if he feared the rustling treetops might listen to them. Wooyoung leaned closer as if they shared dark secrets about witchcraft.