The Yuhao Chronicles - Volume 1 Chapter 8

The next afternoon, after one more night camping on the side of the road, the duo arrived at Soutuo City. There were ten-metre-high walls surrounding the entire city, with three spirit masters acting as guards at the southernmost gate where Yuhao and his mother were entering. As he walked past them they gave him and his mother a quick glance before assessing no threat from them and turning their gazes elsewhere.

As they entered within the city walls they began to walk past a wide variety of shops and stalls. These shops were not only on the main street however, as Yuhao quite often saw store entrances down some of the many alleyways that branched off into the lower-class housing district. Yun Er’s hand squeezed his tighter as they walked, being not only careful to not lose each other in the hustle and bustle of the city but as she was in awe at seeing city life once again.

She had been a maid for the duke and his family for just over half of her life, starting back when she was only 14 years old. Back then, she was somewhat of a close childhood friend of the Duke, however, they eventually got separated once he began making a name for himself as a spirit master and a soldier in the Star Luo army. When he stumbled across her going through tough times in Star Luo City upon his return, he took her into his mansion as a maid. Seven years later, after returning from the army, he explained how he lost one of his closest friends in their last battle. While talking, he had begun drinking and it led to them sleeping together. When she woke up in the morning, in his bed, alone, she freaked out. She noticed he had left her a note saying he was sorry, and he had to go back to the frontlines.

Ever since that night he hadn’t looked or talked to her, expressing his intentions and orders for her solely through other maids. When she discovered she was pregnant with his child she had no idea what to do. There were several people who were aware of what happened that night, and while the knowledge hadn’t spread as people of his standing quite often slept with their maids, getting one pregnant was an entirely different manner. Quickly the rumour of the Duke being the father spread around and yet he still didn’t even look in her direction. Yun Er, however, had to stay strong for her child and while internally, her hope for the Duke accepting her was crushed and despite her son’s comments, she still wished he would. Now, being in a city again, Yun Er could start all over again. No one knew who she was here, and this boosted her determination and hope to help her son out.

“Let’s go Yuhao. We will use some of the gold coins I have saved up to get us a room for a couple of nights. I can search for a job tomorrow.” His mother said, pulling him along to a decent looking in on the side of the main road.

As they entered through the doors, the smell of booze swept over their senses, as the bar on the ground floor had already begun serving the nightly rounds of ale and roast. She pulled his hand along as they weaved through the tables over the woman behind the bar.

The woman looked to be in her late 30’s, with a considerable bust, that was definitely attracting the gazes of several men around. She had strawberry blonde hair hanging down to her shoulder blades and bright blue eyes that were placed quite nicely on her oval face. As she finished serving a customer she noticed Yuhao and his mother heading her way. “Good Afternoon Miss. My name is Lu Xiaolei, how can we at the Dwarven Mug Tavern help you?” She asked, speaking just loud enough over the customers.

Yun Er replied kindly, with a smile, “Could we have a room, please? For two nights.”

Xiaolei smiled in return, “No worries, it will be 2 gold, one a night. We do require payment in advance to save your room.”

“Very well,” Yuhao’s mother replied, fetching two gold coins out of a small back on her wait and sliding them over.

The woman reached over, took them and placed them somewhere below the counter out of reach. “Thank you. Your room number is 14. It is on the second floor on the left. Can’t miss it.”

“Thank you. I hope you have a good night” Yun Er replied before once again dragging Yuhao along with her up the stairs off to the side. They had some leftover food from their journey so rather than waste it and spend more, she decided they can just finish off that.

“Well, that was easy,” Yuhao muttered, just loud enough for his mum to hear it.

She chuckled at his response, “Yes, yes it was.”

“Well, let’s hope finding a job tomorrow, will be just as easy.” He replied back.

“We can only hope”