The narrow road opened into a small clearing lit by strings of paper lanterns swaying in the night breeze. The scent of woodsmoke and roasted meat mingled with the sweet, heady smell of flowers scattered along the dirt path.
Daon and Eunjae stepped into the edge of the village just as the sound of laughter and music grew louder. In the center, people in colorful traditional clothes spun and clapped in rhythm a wedding celebration, the kind that seemed untouched by time.
A young woman with flushed cheeks from dancing spotted them and hurried over. "Strangers! Welcome, welcome!" she said in a cheerful voice, as if two unfamiliar men wandering in at night was the most natural thing in the world.
Daon cleared his throat. "We… had an accident with our car. Could we stay here for the night?"
Her smile widened. "Of course! Tonight is a wedding all are welcome. Eat, drink, dance. You can sleep in the guest house by the well when the music ends."
