Ordinary

Chapter One

Morning came quicker than it ever had before. My mother rushed into my room right at the crack of dawn, told me she'd denied Dajin-gan my hand in marriage one last time, double checked all the provisions she'd gathered for me, and compiled more maps than I knew what to do with. She practically dragged me out of bed, sat me down at the kitchen table, and made me breakfast for the first time in years.

"What's all this for, mom?" I asked, smiling.

"Well, it's my little girl's birthday and her last day in the village. I have to celebrate my little blue-jay leaving the nest!" she beamed at me.

I laughed. "Thanks mom!"

Before I knew it, I was saddled up with travelling equipment, giving my parents one last hug, and heading out the door. My father and I spent an hour or so after breakfast staring at the map and making a list of relatively nearby towns I could visit. Finally, I had an adventure ahead of me and my world expanded beyond the village borders. I took off. I was free. I was the sun and I was finally shining.

I spent my birthday fulfilling my dream. I spent months fulfilling my dream. I spent a year fulfilling my dream. I traveled to so many new places. I met so many new people. And I gained so many new skills. I never left a place before making sure I'd made friends and learned something new. A beautiful old woman with bright eyes and strong hands taught me how to make jewelry. A young boy from one of the poorest villages I'd ever been in taught me how to make sandals out of next to nothing. There were so many people and so many places. I kept a journal of everywhere I'd visited, sketching out the town, the people, the landscape.

I was finally on an adventure. I was finally forging a new path. I was finally free. Still, there was something in me that wasn't quite satisfied yet. Even with all the things that I'd done, there was still something missing. I couldn't get these thoughts out of my head as I neared my next destination. Throughout the past month or so, I'd heard a couple of rumors, all whispered around smoking embers in the wee hours of the morning. They said there was a hidden village carved into a mountain that hid dark secrets and immense power. First things first, I was all about finding hidden villages. Secondly, dark secrets and immense power? Who wouldn't be intrigued?

I set up camp that night, and felt a nervous ache settling in my bones. I couldn't help but feel that there was something waiting for me there, something that would change my life even more.

The next morning I set out with the same shiver running down my spine. There was something more, something special ahead of me, and I finally felt like I was allowed to take it.

I wandered around for what felt like weeks — but in all honesty, was just a day or two — before I finally stumbled upon what looked more like the remains of a camp than a village. The little rooms carved into the rocky mountainside looked like they were on the brink of caving in, and there wasn't a person in sight. Still, I wandered around, poking my head in doorways and quietly calling out every so often.

Nothing.

No response.

Not a soul in sight.

I sat back on my heels and chuckled. The lack of activity was more suspicious than anything. While the living quarters — if you could call them that — looked like they were far, far past their prime, the rugs covering the doorways looked well-worn, but far from abandoned. The colors were still there, and only a few were threadbare. A couple looked like they'd recently had the dust beat out of them, and judging by the fine layer of dirt on everything, that must've happened just before I got here. What kind of village has its people scurry off into hiding just because of one girl wandering in? I thought to myself. A smirk slid across my face.

This has to be it. This has to be the village that kept creeping up in the back of my mind.

"I know there's people here." I stated, loud enough that anyone hiding in the area would hear me. "I'm not a threat, I swear."

There was movement in my periphery, barely enough to catch. "It's okay. You can come out. I'm just looking to visit, not invade."

Movement again, from the same place. This time, I caught who was peeking out from the doorway. A little boy, fave covered with a painted mask, cocked his head and stared at me.

I turned to face him, and knelt down, a smile on my mouth. "Hey there! What's your name?"

He took a step closer before a hand snatch him back. I frowned and stood up, about to start wandering further into the village. Suddenly, I heard a sigh come from straight ahead.

A man in a rather worn tunic came out of one of the little rooms. "I am the chief of this village," he spoke, his voice as gravelly as the land around him. "Please, state your business with us."

Success! I beamed at him before speaking. "It's a pleasure to meet you! My name is Taeyang, and I'm just a traveler. I go from village to village learning the ways of different people and gathering experiences."

He just continued to stare at me. Stoic and cold. "A traveler." He finally said, a statement not a question.

He looked as though he couldn't decide what to make of me, like I was some sort of foreign creature curled up on his doorstep. Finally, he relented and let his shoulder relax. "We will give you shelter for one night. If you wish to stay longer, I ask that you abide by our laws and customs."

I couldn't help but grin as he gave me permission to stay. "Thank you!" I just about screamed. "I promise I won't disturb you too much. I might have a question here or there, but really I'm just here to listen to you and your stories."

As villagers popped out of nowhere, he looked as though he'd just made a huge mistake.

A/N: Hey friends and neighbors! I hope you liked the first two chapters, and if you see any typos or other mistakes please let me know! Also, just a heads up that updates will come at random times. I'm a busy bee, but I'll try to update at least once a week! I know Shin-ah hasn't made an appearance yet, but next chapter, I swear!

Thank you!

Miss Author