A month flew by in the blink of an eye. Ying Yue and everyone was finally reaching the famous Xuzou desert that everyone feared. For the first time in her life, Ying Yue had never seen such a dry vast land with little to no sign of life. Duan Da had everyone rest during the day while they travelled at night when the tempeture was cooler. Water was rationed out daily to avoid wasting any. Ying Yue slightly cracks the back of the carriage opens and gets some fresh air as she looked at the bright moon. Finally seeing enough, Ying Yue slides to sit closer with the other ladies. She rubs her stomach as it continued to grow bigger and bigger with each passing day.
"How are you feeling, Ying Yue?"
"I'm doing okay, Lin An. Can't complain too much as I'm not really doing anything."
"That's alright. Father Duan was always against seeing expectant mothers working. Sometimes I wonder if it has something to do with how he was raised."
"What do you mean by that Lin An?"
"I don't know much either, but he used to tell us stories about his life when he was in the dragon kingdom. He was only sixteen when he ran away from home and was sold off to the queen dowager of Xinjing at the time."
"Wow! He was so young!"
"Indeed, he was. He regretted not listening to his parents at the time, but I guess everything happens for a reason."
"Now that I think about it.... he's probably never been married."
"Nope, we've tried setting him up in the past with potential woman but he would always decline them. It was like he refused to get close to woman. Which I don't blame him, he's still traumatized by what happened to him in Xinjing."
"Sigh...I don't even want to imagine what he went through."
"Yeah....imagine how shocked we were when we learned he revealed himself pretty quickly to you and Su Ru. Not to mention he hired you two on the spot as well."
"That's a good question. I guess I should ask him why he agreed to hire us in the first place."
As Ying Yue and Lin An chatted away; they finally stopped when the carriage came to a sudden stop. Unsure of what was happening, Lin An motions for Ying Yue and everyone to remain put as she leaves to take a look. Lin An climbs out of the carriage and in a matter of seconds Ying Yue could hear the sounds of men screaming and swords clashing outside the carriage.
"Oh no... we're under attack. Ladies, grab your weapons!"
Ying Yue motioned for all the girls to grab their nearby weapons. Duan Da made sure all the girls kept their weapons hidden inside the carriage for ambushes. Lin An and Lu Lan were the only two sword users like Ying Yue, meanwhile the rest of the girls used daggers or a crossbow. Ying Yue motions for everyone to run out together and charge at the enemies. Quickly scanning the area; there had to be at least fifty desert men with their swords and spears. Once the leader of the group noticed the flock of women, he motioned for his men to step back. Ying Yue and everyone ran to aid Duan Da and the rest of the group.
A tall man, about Jin's build moves in closer with his horse. Being in the desert, Ying Yue could see why they would have darker skin. Ying Yue knew there would be desert people, but she didn't think they would be so lightly dressed. Everyone there was dressed in a piece of dark cloth only; revealing their chest area. The man stares at everyone and signals for his men to light up torches for vision.
"Who gave you permission to step onto our lands?"
Duan Da places his sword back into his scabbard and gestured for everyone to do the same. To make sure the desert people didn't think they were enemies. Duan Da knew he had to remain calm.
"Please, let us through. We mean no harm by coming here!"
"You expect me to believe you?"
"I am telling no lies!"
"It's been decades since any outsiders have come here. What is your purpose? If it's not a good enough excuse, you'll have to fight your way out."
"You…..Hah…that's some logic. Sounds to me like you're just thirsting for a fight."
"Ha Ha! Change of plans. Leave the women here and we'll let you go."
"I can't do that. These are my children and I cannot abandon them."
"Then we'll kill you and take them by force. Women are rather limited here in the desert after all."
"Please reconsider! We don't want to shed any unnecessary blood."
"Men! Bring me back the women alive!"
With a smile on his face, the desert leader signals for his men to attack. Duan Da knew it was inevitable at this point and signals for everyone to get into formation.
"Looks like we have no choice. Prepare yourselves everyone and avoid a fatal blow if you can."
Ying Yue didn't hesitate to pull out her sword. Cutting a small part of her palm; she drips her blood onto the sword to solidify it enough to kill living beings. Even with her being nearly six months pregnant, Ying Yue couldn't afford to sit back and let others fight for her. Everyone formed a circle and fought off anyone that came at them.
After four long hours of fighting, their long battle finally came to an end. With more than half the desert men on the ground; injured. Duan Da, once again tries to talk to the leader of the desert tribe.
"Let us go, or more of your men will suffer. Be smart and your men will live, or let your pride get in the way and we'll show you no more mercy."
After a moment of silence, the desert leader places his right hand up and signals for his remaining men to attend to the wounded.
"Enough! You win. Per our customs in the desert tribe, you may follow us back to our village."
"Why should I trust you?"
"We desert people keep our words! Tonight's my lost! You can leave or follow me back to the village. The choice is yours."
With those parting words, he turns around and starts heading off with his men following behind him, Duan Da turns to check on everyone and could see how worn out and tired they were.
"We don't have to follow them if you guys aren't comfortable with it, but if we do there's a chance, they know of a short cut out of the desert."
Everyone decided to leave the decision up to Duan Da. Although he was hesitant, he knew Ying Yue needed rest and a doctor to check up on her and her child. Duan Da motions for everyone to head back to the carriages and follow the desert people.
After silently following the desert people for an hour, they all arrived at a small village. Ying Yue pokes her head out to check the surrounding area and to her surprise the desert wasn't just all sand. The homes were made of wood and the town was lit up with torches outside every home. Once everyone reached the village; they all dispersed and only the leader was left. He motions for Duan Da and everyone to follow him to his home. Once everyone reached a much larger home at the edge of the village, the desert leader hops off his horse and heads inside. Duan Da also came to a stop and gave everyone the signal that it was safe to get out of the carriages. Ying Yue exits the carriage first and pulls Duan Da aside.
"Are you sure it was safe to follow them?"
"Well, I was hesitant, but looks like what I read on the desert tribe was true."
"What? What's true?"
"They tend to bow down to whoever is stronger. They are quick to pick a fight, but know when to call it a lost."
As Ying Yue and Duan Da finished speaking, the leader walks out with a much older man. He had to be more than seventy years old, with a long white beard, white hair, and a hunched back.
"This is the clan leader; my grandfather."
"Hmm...you must be the outsiders my grandson Mo Jun mentioned. I apologize for his rude actions earlier. We've long thrown our old ways away, but seems like he's always looking to pick a fight. Please, rest here for the night as an apology."
"Thank you for your hospitality. We've also harmed some men of yours and I apologize for that."
"Oh ho ho... don't worry. No one was killed, so I believe this is a fair trade. It's been so long since we've seen any outsiders, so please feel free to stay as long as you like."
The old man heads back inside, followed by his grandson Mo Jun. Duan Da motions for the men to tie up their horses to nearby trees and close up the carriages. Once everything was done, everyone headed inside the large home. An older woman looking to be in her late forties walks out to greet them and splits the men and women up into rooms. The old women quickly noticed Ying Yue's baby bump and apologizes for her son's behavior.
"Oh goodness! You're expecting! I apologize for my idiot son's behavior! It must've been hard on you."
"Oh, I'm alright. I had good people around me to help."
"I am the village doctor so allow me to give you a quick check up."
"Oh, I don't have any money on me."
"Don't worry about it. Just think of this as part of our hospitality. Since there's more girls. I'll have to split you guys up. I have another bedroom down the hall with one bed that two of you can share."
Ying Yue bids farewell to the other lady and tells Su Ru to follow her to the other bedroom. It was a clean and well-kept room. Filled with wooden carvings and wooden dolls with a small circle window in the center.
"Oh, this is a nice room."
"Ah, it used to be my daughters' room."
"Oh? Where is she now?"
"She passed away when she was fifteen from an illness. It's been about five years now. I may be a doctor but I was unable to find a cure for her."
"I'm so sorry! I shouldn't have asked."
"It's alright, it no longer hurts. She would be about your age if she was still alive. Now, let my check your pulse."
The woman asks for Ying Yue to take a seat at the edge of the bed as she checked her pulse and temperature.
"Hmm...your pulse is fine. Your baby is very healthy and energetic, it may be a baby boy.'
"Really?!"
"Well, we don't know for sure until you give birth, but that's my hunch."
"Mothers hunches are never wrong."
Ying Yue was caught off guard as she didn't even sense Mo Jun standing at the doorway.
"You don't have to glare at me like that. I'm not going to do anything anymore."
"Mo Jun, you're in a woman's room. Get out."
"What? Mother, I'm just looking!"
"Mo Jun!"
"Alright! I'm going! Your temper is why dad left!"
With those words, Mo Jun slams the bedroom door shut. Ying Yue could hear him stomping further and further away.
"I'm sorry, you had to see such a scene."
"If you don't mind me asking, where is his father?"
"He left on a journey to find a cure for our daughter about seven years ago, but never came back. I wouldn't be surprised if he's dead now. Now, I will brew you some herbs to help you sleep tonight. The bath is outside the bedroom and to the right, so help yourselves ladies."
"Ah, wait. I didn't get your name."
"Just call me mother Zou. I will be right back."
Once mother Zou left the bedroom, Ying Yue motions for Su Ru to help her to the baths. After soaking in water for twenty minutes, Ying Yue returns to the bedroom to find a tea set with herbs. Unlike anything she's had before, the tea was definitely calming.
"Su Ru, have some. It will help you fall asleep."
"Alright, my lady,"