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.

The house lady whacked him with his spoon on the behind. Wooyoung winced at the noise and the little jump Yeosang did to avoid the smack.

"Is this how you greet guests? No wonder you have them so rarely. Look at this handsome gentleman! Learn some manners from him, will you?" With a huff, she strutted back off into the kitchens. A moment later, Wooyoung heard her slapping around some dough angrily.

Yeosang grinned awkwardly. Wooyoung snickered under his breath.

"I'm Wooyoung. I came to listen to your stories and write them down for my lord to enjoy at his banquets," he introduced himself. Yeosang shook his hand with an awed smile that exposed his little teeth.

"Oh, what an honour! Please, come in then. My room is a mess but I would like to tell you everything that I know."

"Actually," Wooyoung smiled even wider, "I just arrived and am quite hungry, but I don't want to disturb the lady of the house. Do you want to accompany me to an inn to share food and drinks? Best if we know each other before we start work."

Little stars twinkled in Yeosang's eyes when he clapped his hands.

"What perfect sense you have! Yes, please! Release me from the clutches of the dragon."

He said the last part louder than the rest and got yelled at from the kitchens. Yeosang and Wooyoung snickered.

"Wait here for a moment." With those words, Yeosang dashed up the stairs again. Wooyoung stood at the open door and discreetly eyed the table and the many plants inside the house. It looked to be some sort of guest house, with the woman being the host. Yeosang likely lived here during his studies.

After just a few minutes of idling, Yeosang returned. This time, he wore his own bag over his shoulder and had belted his tunic into an orderly shape. He waved at the kitchens before they left. The lady called after them to be safe and return before nightfall or else she would lock the door and Yeosang would have to sleep with the chickens.

When the two young men stepped back out onto the streets, Yeosang laughed freely.

"She's a bit of a witch, but she's the sweetest caretaker. I stay with her whenever I am not at the sheriff's hut to tell him my stories."

"I see," Wooyoung answered. "What's her name?"

"We just call her Ada. She lives along there ever since her husband died of a horrible disease and her prices are fair. If you plan to stay for a longer time, I can ask her when a room gets free," Yeosang offered. Wooyoung waved it off while they wandered down the street and to the establishment he had smelt earlier.

"I'm good; I already found an inn. I don't know yet how long I will be here either."

He wanted to make the most of his time. The minute he had heard everything he needed to know from Yeosang, he would search for San and spend as much time as possible with the other man. Secretly, he prayed to every god he knew that the man would be around.

Yeosang nodded and dipped into the inn when Wooyoung opened the door for him. The faint blush on the other historian's face didn't escape Wooyoung's attention.

"You pick out a table, I will order the food," Wooyoung suggested. Yeosang shook his head until his hair flew everywhere. Through the bustling room filled with warriors, soldiers, maids, and travellers in various states of cheerfulness, he pointed to an empty corner.

"I live here. You will sit down and relax from your long trip while I get food." He sounded petulant, so Wooyoung didn't discuss with him. While he got comfortable, Yeosang strutted over to the counter to squeeze between two burly men to order. One of them said something and nudged Yeosang with his shoulder. The poor man nearly toppled over. His display of clumsiness made the men laugh. Shy, Yeosang brushed it off.

Yeosang returned after ordering and swept his hair out of his face with a sigh so deep Wooyoung worried if he had fought a battle over there. He sat the two tall jugs of mead on the table between the two of them. He spilt a few drops, but Wooyoung didn't mind. Together, they sat down and scooted closer together so they could hear their conversation over the laughter of people.

"So, where did you come from? North? South?" Yeosang asked around the first sip of his drink. It was early for drinking, but they were in medieval England. Wooyoung couldn't care less.

"I was born in Loidis, a small settling further north. My lord rules the area, and he hopes for me to become a storyteller famous enough to perform for King Henry one day." Satisfied with his lie, Wooyoung tried his mead, too. The honeyed wine was thick and syrupy in his mouth. How would Sandalius react if fed with this beverage? Wooyoung wanted to see his indignation.

"Oh, fascinating! I've been to the royal court once, but only as a visitor. I travelled with my master for a while and had the honour of being invited alongside him."

Wooyoung pretended his utmost awe and jealousy. Not that he would dislike visiting the royal court, but he liked how Yeosang ruffled his body like a prideful bird. With the other man sitting straight as a pole and gloating at his side, Wooyoung snickered at him.

"I bet it was magnificent. I hope to get called to his court one day, too. Maybe if I present him my extensive collection of stories, he will offer me a place at his side."

Yeosang slammed his jug down with a bit too much motivation. The maid nearing them with their food eyed him warily. After hunching back into himself in embarrassment, Yeosang leaned over to cheer for Wooyoung still.

"I'm sure he will! You are a handsome fellow and all the court ladies would love listening to you!" Yeosang blushed again when he delivered the compliment, but Wooyoung took it with a hum. With playful fingers, he brushed Yeosang's chin. The man's lips opened in surprise by the time Wooyoung had already pulled away.

"Thank you for finding me handsome," Wooyoung purred at him. Yeosang melted in his chair with blown eyes and disbelievingly twitching lips. While he was out of commission, Wooyoung made space for the maid to put their food down on. She wished them a delightful meal before she dipped off. Wooyoung ignored the glance she threw at them over her shoulder.

The smell of well-seasoned meat and potatoes filled Wooyoung's nose thickly. His mouth watered as he dug in. Revived by the fragrance, Yeosang also did.

They talked about Nottingham and about the court some more. Wooyoung didn't bother Yeosang straight away with business, so they ended up having a fun time at the inn until both of them were pleasantly drunk on mead.

By the time night fell and Wooyoung reminded Yeosang that they had to get home, they dragged themselves out of the cosy, warm inn and onto the chill streets. Wooyoung had to support Yeosang so he wouldn't stumble into a wall and the man's hair tickled on his neck when he leaned his head against Wooyoung. Their intimacy got whistled at by a passing merchant, and Wooyoung smiled crookedly at the man. Wet lips brushed his neck when Yeosang muttered something about Wooyoung being extraordinarily handsome and having 'skin fairer than a block of cheese.'

Wooyoung sure hoped that was the bare minimum he reached.

They came back home to the kitchen still lit and Ada working away. She gazed at them only once before she sighed and gestured for Wooyoung to be as quiet as possible.

He snuck up the stairs and heaved a flailing Yeosang into his bed. Originally, he had planned to pull right back and return to his inn. But one of Yeosang's hands caught his collar and ripped Wooyoung down to his level. A drunken mutter fell from his lips before he tried to kiss Wooyoung. He hit his cheek under his eye.

Squinting, Wooyoung tried to pull back, but gravity gave up on him. He fell into Yeosang's bed and the man snuggled right up to him. The last thing Wooyoung felt before sleep pulled him under were the lips of the other man suckling on his neck and drooling all over him.

Too tired to mind, Wooyoung just let him and passed out.