Chapter 3
On the third day, a few hours after dawn. From the top of a low hill, Joshua and Yue spotted the dense, circular gray mass that was Ruvenheigen, a stark contrast to the flat green fields surrounding it.
By the time they reached the customs checkpoint some distance from the city, it was mid-afternoon. Yue exclaimed, eyes wide and mouth open with awe as she craned her neck to gaze at the bustling city beyond the stone walls.
From where they were, queued behind a troupe of travelling performers and several peddling merchants whose carts loaded with goods, they could see bits of the massive city beyond the squat stone walls. Lining the stone walls at fixed intervals were squat round towers, each of which flying bright heraldic flags.
Being the stronghold of the church within these lands, the city of Ruvenheigen was huge. Despite the distance, they could see the massive cathedral situated right in the middle of the city like a tall, spired keep. Unlike most other cities which were run by councilmen or nobles, Ruvenheigen was ruled the archbishop, who answers only to the pope.
For those like Yue, who were born and raised in small communities where one could walk from one end to the other within half an hour, seeing such a massive city for the first time must be shocking. Even Joshua, who had twice visited the city beforehand, found himself enraptured by the sight.
Everything looked exactly as he remembered from before, from the tall bell towers of numerous churches dispersed throughout the city, to the clustered multi-storey buildings that lined the central business districts. In the middle of each district were open air circular spaces, where shopkeepers manned food and drink stalls; where poets and missionaries preached from raised podiums; and where musicians and actors performed on stages. Truly a lively place, despite being under the rule of an austere church which preach modesty and humility.
"Are you sure your disguise will be ok?"
Joshua questioned, regarding Yue's outfit with a worried glance. She wore a long oak-brown cloak that reached down to her ankles with the hood pulled up her head, over the white fur kerchief that concealed her ears. Her ears and tail were thus hidden from view, but if they were found out…
"Worry not. If they become too touchy, I only have to chastise them for being naughty. They'll stop after that, face as red as apples."
She confidently reassured before letting out a brief snicker. Joshua accepted that reply with a nod. Her lack of shame, coupled with that brazen accusation, could even make a lecher become shamefaced.
When it was their turn at the customs checkpoint, the officer on duty gave Yue a quick glance and stared sharply at Joshua before inquiring their reason to enter Ruvenheigen. Yue promptly replied that she was here to visit a relative, and Joshua was her manservant.
The manner with which she spoke, full of confidence and aloofness, resembled that of a proud young daughter of a minor noble or wealthy family. Coupling that were the fine clothes she wore and her long wheat colored hair – the envy of any noble woman –which lent her words much persuasiveness.
Perhaps coming to that conclusion, the official nodded perfunctorily before ushering his attendants forward to search them. The lightly armed and armored attendants sifted through the few items that remained on the mule Yue rode and patted down both travelers before declaring them clear.
From their neutral expressions and high efficiency, it was clear that this was customary. Following that, the official handed Yue a wooden plaque detailing they have been searched and gruffly ushered them through to the second checkpoint to pay their entrance tax fee.
"They sure didn't hesitate. Have they no respect for a woman's body?"
Yue muttered once they passed the second checkpoint after handing over the wooden plaque and paying the tax, and were directed to the final checkpoint, one of the stone gates that lined the city walls. Joshua was unsure from her quiet tone whether she was disgusted by their roughness, or disappointed by their lack of embarrassment towards her.
"They're used to searching travelers, including ones as comely as you."
He replied, and noticed the bottom of Yue's robe flick once at the intentionally unflattering remark. She then tilted her head while humming in contemplation.
"I suppose their job is to search for smuggled or illegal goods. If they get flustered, they might miss the items those comely women might have hidden within their dresses."
Joshua regarded Yue with raised eyebrows, amazed at how quickly she deduced the exact reason. The wolf-girl turned to him with a satisfied grin.
"I am proud, but not vain. Also, my father had a small run-in with this city in his younger days. He ended up smuggling gold into the city."
Joshua's raised eyebrows rose even more at that blunt statement. Smuggling gold into Ruvenheigen was an errand for fools or desperates, since the penalty for being caught was the same as being caught using counterfeit Lumione: dismemberment.
His first thought was that Yue's father must be really daring to consider such a risky ploy. However, he then recalled that her father was a merchant, and merchants were said to be willing to walk through the fires of hell and even risk death, so long as they profit in the end.
Yue suddenly jabbed his ribs whilst scowling, making him jump.
"If you must know, he did it not for profit. He was on the verge of bankruptcy, and his fate would have been to slave away in a mine, or row his life away on a ship."
The uncompromising glare, which she regarded him with, made Joshua look away and apologize. His travelling companion then shrugged as if to say it didn't matter.
After that, they approached and passed the final checkpoint, and passed under the massive stone gate that led into the city.
After entering the city, they left the mule at a stable near the gates and asked the stable boy where the Rowan Trading guild house was.
Initially, Yue's expression was one of awe as they walked along the city's stone-paved streets, taken in by the sight of so many tall and prestigious buildings. That enthusiasm promptly diminished when they entered a path that branched from the main road, and now all that remained was obvious disdain.
"You don't seem very impressed."
Joshua commented as they walked through a narrow cobblestone path across a dense housing district, which was the quickest path to the Rowen guild house. The wolf-girl wrinkled her nose before replying.
"It stinks of trash, sweat and others I'd rather not mention. How could anyone stand to live in such filth?"
Joshua grimaced in agreement. The air was indeed magnificently foul, especially so for Yue with her superior sense of smell.
"It's not too bad here. There are places much worse than this."
"Yes, yes. Let's just be away from here. I fear the next time I cast my eyes downwards I'll retch."
Yue grumbled and increased the pace. Joshua didn't have to look down to understand what she meant.
In every city and large town, districts were separated according to purpose. Most were self-explanatory and could be categorized, such as commerce, civil, and military. But there was one type of district that was explicitly separated according to wealth: housing.
A disproportionately small fraction of the population, composed entirely of the rich and noble, resided in luxurious homes befitting of their status and wealth. Rather than districts, their extravagant mansions could be found in prestigious places: on high ground, surrounded by similarly prestigious homes and buildings.
Below that, about two thirds of the city's population were wealthy enough to live in modest lodgings. Their homes usually consist of small houses or rented apartments. While far from luxurious, their districts had access to clean water and were overall decent to live in.
That left the rest of the city's poor population, who lived in cramped housing districts with little to no supply of clean water and no sewage system. As such, living conditions were generally poor and overall hygiene appalling.
While reminiscing on that, Joshua gently pulled Yue to walk on the opposite side of the narrow street. A few moments later, a pile of things-best-not-mentioned splattered onto the pavement, caused by someone who overturned a bucket of waste from a second storey window.
Yue's face cringed in disgust at the sight of the puddling sludge, before turning to him.
"Why do you look so unaffected?"
"A slave's living condition is much worse than this."
Joshua stated calmly. He noted Yue's immediate look of surprise, followed by self-admonishment. It looked as if she wanted to say something, but could not find the words to do so.
"Come on, let's get out of here as quickly as possible."
He kindly urged, and sensed Yue's trepidation fade at that. They continued the rest of the way in relative silence.
Shortly after exiting the slums and entering the business district, Yue's mood improved drastically. Compared to the cramp and stagnant slums, there was a bustling atmosphere in the air.
The stone pavement in the business district was broad and clean, and rather crowded. On either side of the road were large multi-storey shops and offices, each of them unique in architectural design and style. The building they were standing before was four storeys tall, with wide arches before the front door and tall glass windows that flanked it. A large wooden signpost above the arched doorway had the words 'Rowan Guild' intrinsically carved onto it.
"Should we knock?"
Joshua inquired as they paused before the closed doors. Yue nodded.
"You do it."
She stated without compromise.
"What? Why me?"
He protested out of nervousness. Yue arched a fine eyebrow.
"Because you are a man, are you not?"
Before he could object to such a reason, someone coughed loudly behind them. Joshua turned around and saw a man that was the splitting image of a city merchant, complete with a short gray goatee and thin lines on either side of his eyes. The merchant gave a professional smile.
"Excuse me, but may I ask what your business is with the Rowen Guild?"
It was a polite way of asking 'what are you doing here'. From the way he stood and spoke, it was safe to assume that he was a merchant of the guild. Despite wearing that smile, Joshua felt intimidated by the man who looked quite a few years older than him. Were all merchants this cold?
"We are here to see Mister Hans."
He replied in Yue's stead, as the wolf-girl remained facing the building with her back to the merchant. The merchant did not even blink.
"I see. Do you have an appointment?"
The older man asked in a tone close to scorn. Joshua realized that he was being looked down upon because of his skin. The city merchant probably thought him a lowly slave of some rich person.
At that point, Yue turned to glare at the man with ruby red eyes.
"We are here to see him, now take us there."
The city merchant was taken back by the authority in the seemingly young girl's voice and the ferocity in her eyes. But the man quickly composed himself and was about to retort when the front doors swung inwards. Since he was facing the door, the merchant immediately saw who it was.
"Mister Neil! These two-"
The man who had opened the door ignored him, and smiled warmly at the two guests who had turned to face him.
"Welcome. We have been expecting you."
He greeted Yue with a polite inclination of his head. He was the same height as Joshua, with short dark hair and possessing a perfectly calm yet composed demeanor. His crystal blue eyes then settled on Joshua. They did not look cold or degrading. If anything, they seemed curious.
"I am Neil Landt. Welcome to the Rowan Trading Guild branch of Ruvenheigen."
"Enough pleasantries."
Yue stated, and pulled a stuttering Joshua pass Neil into the building. The man promptly closed the door after they entered.
As for the city merchant who had been left outside, he remained rooted to the spot, baffled.
"You were expected a few days ago, Miss Yue. Did something happen?"
Neil inquired as he brought them towards the stairs that led to the upper floors. The ground floor of the guild house was close to empty, save for a bartender seated behind the bar and a waitress who was waiting on a trio of merchants that occupied the sole table out of the three dozen or so others around the room. All of them glanced at Neil and stared briefly at the two strangers before returning to their own business.
"Hmm, something like that."
Yue vaguely answered before turning to regard the man with mild curiosity.
"You've more lines in your face. How old are you now?"
"Hei, you are being rude."
Joshua interrupted, having grown more and more discomforted by her flippant attitude at such an inappropriate place. She responded by sneering like a defiant child. Neil chuckled at the sight.
"It's alright, Miss Yue and I have met on several occasions. I also know about her family."
He emphasized the last word, then answered her question with 'thirty six'.
"That's right. So there, drop that frown."
Yue harrumphed at Joshua and patted his shoulder in a placating manner. Who replied by muttering to himself.
The reason I'm frowning is because of your terrible manners.
"So, how is my dear nephew Hans? And what about Abel?"
Yue inquired of Neil as they ascended the last flight of stairs. Along the way to Ruvenheigen, Yue had briefly named and described her family to Joshua.
Her mother had two children, Yue and her older sister Myuri. The age gap between them was sixteen years. Of the two, Yue had inherited their mother's wolf-ness, and thus lived most of her life in secrecy. Myuri on the other hand was human through and through, and thus lived a healthy and normal woman's life, to the point of getting married and having four children. Also, as there was no son to inherit the family name, Myuri's husband married into the family instead, and took up the surname Lawrence.
Their first child was Hans. The second was a daughter Alda. The third and fourth were a pair of identical male twins, Cain and Abel. Yue had mentioned Cain and Abel were officers of Ruvenheigen's city guard, while Alda attracted the attention of a noble's son and became married into nobility.
"Mister Abel is accompanying an archbishop's entourage to Poroson. It would be another month or so before he returns."
"Ooh? Did something happen?"
Yue inquired as they reached the landing of the topmost floor. Joshua noted the hem of her cloak shift slightly, likely due to intrigue.
"Still nosy as ever, Aunt Yue."
Came a curt reply before Neil could answer. The person who had spoken stood at the open doorway at the end of the short corridor with his arms crossed. Despite having short silver hair with spiky bangs that parted on either side of his forehead, and standing almost two heads taller than Yue, Joshua instantly knew that this was Hans Lawrence, Yue's oldest nephew. Despite being aunt and nephew, by looks alone, they resembled uncle and niece instead.
When Yue approached the man with quick, wide strides, Joshua imagined it was because she was happy to see him. That imagination was fleeting, as the moment she was close enough, she jabbed the sharp nail of her forefinger into the tall man's chest with enough force to make him lurch back with a wince.
"Aunt? It's 'Miss'."
She corrected in a pleasant tone, though her eyes said otherwise. Hans smiled pleasantly instead, as if this was the norm.
"It is good to see you too."
The branch manager of the Rowen Trading Guild replied before patting Yue's head in a placating manner. His gaze then focused on Joshua, and those light gray eyes sparkled with intrigue. He then stepped back, and invited them into his study.
After everyone had seated, made introductions and exchanged mild pleasantries, Hans inquired Yue to explain her delay.
She started from how she spent – or rather squandered – all her money, her failed attempt in stealing a roasted pig, and finally collapsing from exhaustion in the snow where Joshua found her, naked and freezing. She described Joshua's near-lynch experience, how she saved him, and finally their 'contract' to travel together to Ruvenheigen.
When she finished, Hans closed his eyes. After a few seconds, they opened.
"What an extraordinary tale. I almost couldn't believe my ears."
Yue huffed proudly at that, like a knight basking in the glory of an accomplished mission. Hans then turned to Joshua with a sympathetic smile.
"I apologize for the inconveniences my aunt has caused, and thank you for accompanying her here."
Joshua deferentially replied that it was no problem. Then, without moving his head, Hans's gray eyes returned to Yue. The playful warmth behind them now replaced by a sharp, calculating gaze.
"So, Aunt Yue. Why have you come here?"
For the first time, Joshua saw Yue become nervous. Her entire body jittered while her ears pricked up sharply, judging by the two sharp tents on her cap. Despite that, her voice remained calm.
"Did she not tell you?"
By 'her', Joshua assumed it was Yue's mother; Hans's grandmother.
"She only said to expect you, and left the minor details to me."
Hans sighed while slowly shaking his head and wearing a lopsided smirk. An exaggerated show of exasperation. After that, however, he placed both elbows on the table, covered his right fist in the other hand and leaned forward so that his bearded chin rested just behind it. During then, his demeanor seemed more wolf than human.
"Again. Why have you come here?"
He repeated in an even tone, the splitting image of a merchant in the midst of an important negotiation. Yue looked straight into her nephew's sharp gray eyes.
"I want to work."
After uttering statement, her resolve strengthened as she continued.
"I left Nyohhira because I wanted to travel, and work along the way."
Hans nodded silently, as if that was exactly what he had expected to hear. His eyes then drifted over the fur cap on Yue's head, which concealed her ears, before resuming.
"You understand that you are… Different, compared to the rest of the family, yes? If people find out about your ears and tail, you will be forever hunted as a monster. If you are caught alive, you will be handed over to the church and be burnt to a stake. And it won't be just you, but everyone close to you. Including family."
Hans paused to let that thought sink in. In Joshua's mind, he imagined the agonizing screams of those condemned to such a fate, even whole families young and old, and shivered.
Even so, Yue's expression did not falter. After scrutinizing her for a few seconds, the sharpness in Hans' eyes faded and he smiled thinly.
"I see you are determined. Very well, I shall oblige."
Yue's eyes widened with elation and her mouth opened, about to speak.
"From henceforth, you will act as a messenger between the shops and stalls associated with the Rowan Guild in Ruvenheigen."
Hans declared. Yue's expression sank faster than a rock sinking in water.
Hans hummed to himself approvingly, totally ignoring her reaction.
"It is safe. You get to travel about the city, and do honest work."
He stated, then reached towards a stack of folded parchment for a blank sheet.
"Give me a moment to authorize this."
"W-wait! Surely you aren't serious!"
Yue stuttered. Her nephew looked up whilst scribbling away on the paper.
"Surely, I am."
Yue's face turned red with fury and she exclaimed.
"I refuse! I want to travel far and wide, not just within this-"
Neil coughed gently with a placating smile to interrupt her outburst.
"Miss Yue, please understand that Mister Hans is doing this for everyone's best interests. It is dangerous to travel alone, even if you act in the name of the guild."
"I haven't left the confinement of home to be confined in a city!"
Yue protested and shook her head, causing long strands of her wheaten hair to swish wildly. Hans sighed deeply and turned to Joshua, once again ignoring Yue.
"And what of you, will you return home after this?"
Yue's bluster immediately vanished, and her eyes widened as if she had forgotten something very important. Before Joshua could even open his mouth to reply, she cut him off.
"Ah, I didn't mention it before, but I have another favor."
She stated, once again drawing Hans' attention.
"I'd like you to recommend him to an apothecary or herbalist guild."
That made her nephew's hand stop writing, while his brows arched.
"You are asking me to recommend a person I know nothing of?"
"He's a fantastic herbalist! If it wasn't for him I would have died from starvation and exposure!"
Yue rebuffed adamantly.
"Even fools know how to save a starving person that is freezing to death."
Hans calmly replied, his eyes momentarily switching from Yue to Joshua as if to say 'please don't take offense' before returning to her.
Yue opened her mouth to retort, but could not find the words to do so. Everything her nephew had said was correct, and he now remained silent while waiting for her response. She started to say something, anything, but the words died in her throat with a choking sound. Finally, her shoulders slumped, and she hung her head in defeat.
Neil, who had been silent throughout the exchange, now coughed.
"Mister Joshua, do you have anything to say for yourself?"
The city merchant asked, kindly beckoning him to speak. At that point, Hans's gaze shifted to the olive-skinned man, neither speaking nor writing. Yue straightened her back and turned to him supportively.
An encouraging city merchant, a shrewd guild manager and a concerned half-wolf. The situation was so bizarre that Joshua forgot how to feel nervous.
"I learned the art of mixing herbs and brewing medicine from my home country in the far south. Since coming to the north, I've familiarized with most of the plants and herbs that grow here."
"Excuse my interruption, and I apologize for asking so crudely, but are you a former slave?"
Neil stated rather than asked, his tone as polite as possible. From the appreciative gaze with which Hans glanced at the other man, Joshua guessed that the merchant was asking on behalf of his superior.
Yue, whose fangs were bared, was about to snap angrily at Neil's direct yet insensitive choice of words when Joshua raised a hand to hold her back.
"Yes, I am. My home country was invaded by the Kingdom of Lutton when I was still a child. I was captured, brought north across the ocean, and sold to a mining company."
Hans hummed thoughtfully, and nodded as a gesture for him to continue. Joshua paused for a few seconds with a troubled expression, before continuing.
"I am also experienced with treating field injuries, including performing stitches and amputations."
There was a range of reactions among his tiny audience. Yue leaned back, Neil blinked twice rapidly, while Hans's eyes narrowed.
"And why do you have experience in surgery, Mister Joshua?"
Hans asked in a tone that was close to demanding. Surgeons were highly trained professionals trained by royal court scholars and employed by armies for the purpose of treating soldiers during their line of duty. For him to reveal that he, a former slave, to have the skills of a surgeon was equivalent to a beggar declaring they could do high order mathematics.
So when Joshua remained silent, Hans pressed in a gentler yet more insistent tone.
"Mister Joshua?"
At long last, Joshua revealed the truth impassively.
"I was freed from slavery by a band of mercenaries that were hired by a rival firm, and was assigned with the band's surgeon. When he passed away two years later, I took over his post."