20
the imperial palace was quiet high in the sky, the sun cast long shadows across the throne room sitting on his throne, the emperor was silent, lost in thought he had heard more disturbing reports of bri khan and his shadow warriors wreaking havoc all along the silk road it was only a matter of time before panic and fear spread through the kingdom and with panic and fear came instability and danger this could not happen he needed to protect his people and keep his kingdom safe
hearing the throne room doors opening, the emperor looked up his chancellor was ing toward him, urgency in his steps when he reached the throne, he bowed low then, straightening, he spoke “your majesty,” he began “a word in private”
the emperor nodded, trying to keep his face neutral as the other officials and attendants in the room moved away he had known the chancellor for a long time for him to look this worried, something must be truly wrong
unfortunately, he was right “scouts have informed me that bri khan has infiltrated the city,” the chancellor said, his voice urgent “he assembles at the new palace with a small group of highly skilled assassins”
the emperor bowed his head in thought for a moment, his mind racing at the news bri khan was bold to go after the new palace the building, aptly named, was new and not yet finished built in honor of his father, it was important to the emperor it was also less guarded, which made it an easier target if bri khan were to take it, it would also make for a good statement of his strength
when the emperor looked up, the kind expression he normally wore was gone in its place was the expression of a fierce—and deadly—warrior “prepare my guards,” he said “we ride to the site immediately”
“your majesty,” the chancellor protested “it is far too dangerous”
“your loyalty and concern for my safety are greatly valued,” the emperor said but it was clear he had no intention of listening to his advisor’s protest motioning to the generals and other officials who had moved into the shadows to step forward, he prepared to give them orders
but the chancellor interrupted him before he could start “if i may be so bold, your imperial highness” he began, earning him a stern look from the emperor but despite the look, the leader nodded for him to go on “put me in charge of your imperial army at least allow me to have them follow you and surround the new palace” the emperor was silent as he weighed the chancellor’s words taking the silence as an opportunity, the chancellor pressed on “please consider your citizens your safety must be ensured”
the words struck the emperor while it was not what he would choose, the chancellor was right he was the emperor throwing himself right into the enemy’s waiting arms without backup was a foolish maneuver that could leave the empire without a ruler no, the chancellor was right
turning, he gave his orders “i am placing my chancellor in charge of the imperial guard his mand is my mand” as the generals and officers bowed in assent, the emperor went on, his voice loud “this brute who attacks our trade routes! this murderer who threatens our way of life! i will kill this bri khan as i killed his own father with my own hands”
without another word, the emperor strode out of the throne room behind him, the chancellor watched for several minutes, he stood there, his eyes narrowed and his hands clasped in front of him as all around the room, officials and generals fluttered about after a few moments, he moved to one of the windows a flicker of approval flashed in his eyes when he saw the emperor riding away from the palace, flanked by his guard
turning, the chancellor looked at one of the senior officers “assemble all imperial guardsmen immediately in this square that includes every guard on every tower and every gate”
the announcement was met with shocked murmurs “but who will protect the city” the officer asked
“you question the judgment of his majesty the emperor” the chancellor snapped, his words harsh
immediately, the senior officer shook his head “of course not, chancellor,” he said, backpedaling “i will see to it immediately”
when at last the throne room was empty, the chancellor walked toward the throne as he did, he lifted his arm and pulled a pin from the back of his neck as the man’s body slumped to the floor, unconscious, a hundred small birds rose in his place it had been xianniang the whole time the birds rose up and shot toward the open door soaring into the sky, they flew in a tight formation, shifting and twisting so they formed a long, dense shape
they were a signal
and down in the new palace construction site, bri khan saw it a smile spread across his face xianniang had done it she had convinced the emperor to leave his palace open and unguarded and race right into his trap the man was a fool and now he would pay signaling to his shadow warriors, bri khan watched as they slipped into the scaffolding along the west watchtower and disappeared
mulan pulled black wind to a stop in front of the imperial city gates they had ridden hard from the mountain steppe garrison, and the horses and their riders were tired but spotting the gates open and unmanned, she and the other imperial soldiers instantly went on the alert mulan’s body tensed and she felt her skin prickle something was wrong spurring black wind on, she and her fellow soldiers raced into the city
citizens jumped out of the way in fear and surprise the soldiers didn’t slow until they reached the main square of the imperial palace
as they entered the square, mulan pulled back on black wind’s reins she slowed the horse and looked over her shoulder at mander tung he met her gaze, her worry mirrored in his eyes the square should not have been open the gates shouldn’t have been unprotected where were the men who were supposed to be guarding the emperor and the palace
there was the sound of creaking wood whipping her head around, mulan saw the gates to the square shutting a moment later, the doors slammed closed they were trapped!
“ambush!” mulan shouted to the other soldiers as the nervous horses nickered and shifted on their feet
unsheathing his sword, mander tung yelled out orders to the soldiers, moving them into formation just as he finished, dark figures appeared on the balconies that ringed the square a moment later, the figures shifted and came into focus, revealing themselves to be bri khan’s shadow warriors they leapt from the balconies, landing on the ground with dancer-like grace, their swords already raised for battle
the mander turned to mulan “protect the emperor!” he ordered
mulan didn’t hesitate jumping off black wind’s back, she raced across the square her arms whipped her sword through the air in precise and fluid motions as she fended off the attackers behind her, mander tung called for the others to keep her path clear instantly, honghui, cricket, po, and the rest of the soldiers ran ahead to fend off the warriors in mulan’s way
clear of her attackers, mulan entered the palace in search of the emperor quickly, she made her way to the throne room as she ran, she silently thanked mander tung for his leadership and preparation he had spent their journey to the capital describing the layout of the palace to her in case they were separated she turned left and right and then went up a flight of stairs, reaching the doors to the throne room pushing them open, she walked inside the outside noises of battle faded as the doors closed behind her spotting a figure on the throne, she hurried down the long room and then bowed
“your majesty,” she said, her racing heartbeat slowing when she saw the leader safe “i am hua mulan from the fifth battalion i’ve e to protect you”
“impossible”
mulan’s head lifted in surprise when she heard the familiar female voice answer looking up, her eyes adjusting to the darkness of the room, she saw that it was not the emperor sitting on the throne it was xianniang the witch stared back at her then the woman stood up and spoke again, her voice laced with disbelief “a woman leading a man’s army”
mulan’s eyes narrowed the witch could think what she wanted the truth was mander tung, honghui, and all the other soldiers had accepted her and they were counting on her now “where is the emperor” she said, unsheathing her sword and advancing toward the throne
but her steps slowed as she came closer to xianniang pain and grief were etched on the witch’s face, making her sharp features oddly more beautiful she looked vulnerable—and scared mulan felt the urge to ask her what had happened but she didn’t need to she knew without words bri khan’s victory might be approaching, but xianniang was alone in so many ways
“you were right,” mulan said, lowering her weapon “we are the same”
xianniang gave mulan a small, sad smile “with one difference: they accept you, and they’ll never accept me” the witch’s words were full of emotion, and as mulan watched, a tear dropped down xianniang’s cheek
mulan’s heart ached for the woman in front of her she had, only a short time ago, felt there was no place for her, either yet, ironically, it had been xianniang who had given her strength to embrace her true identity if only now she could make xianniang see there was another way
“all along, you told me my journey was impossible,” mulan said, softening her voice as she approached the throne “yet here i stand, proof there is a place for people like us”
“no,” xianniang replied, shaking her head, then bowing it in defeat “it’s too late for me”
mulan sheathed her sword she came to a stop in front of the throne, unarmed and vulnerable
for a long moment, warrior and witch watched each other mulan didn’t move, her breathing steady as she watched xianniang struggle to pick a side “please,” mulan said, breaking the silence “i need your help” her voice, strong and proud, bounced off the walls of the throne room
mulan could not read the witch’s expression then xianniang took a deliberate step forward mulan’s breath hitched
what was she going to do
in answer, xianniang let out a piercing shriek mulan’s hands went to her ears as she watched the witch drop her dagger and run down the throne stairs—straight toward her just before she slammed into mulan, xianniang let out another cry and transformed into a hawk flying up and over mulan’s head, the witch disappeared through the doors at the end of the room
racing after her, mulan burst into the hall and followed the hawk as it flew down the palace steps and out into the air above the imperial square her head arched back, mulan tracked the bird as it continued out over the city and then turned, flying in the direction of the new palace
mulan gave chase below her, mander tung and his men fought, pushing back the shadow warriors mulan clambered up onto a roof above the square her eyes locked on the hawk as she ran over the tiles when she reached the end of one roof, she leapt onto another, making her way out of the palace and onto the tops of the nearby houses her steps were confident despite the uneven surfaces and the buildings’ great height in no time, she reached the construction site of the new palace
only then did she slow leaping down onto the ground, mulan stood catching her breath as the hawk swooped into the west watchtower the faintest of smiles tugged at her lips in her gut, she knew xianniang had answered her call for help somewhere amid the construction was the emperor—and bri khan now mulan just needed to find them
“why are you here”
bri khan’s voice boomed with anger as xianniang flew through the window of the tower scaffolding covered the inside of the unfinished building the rouran leader stood on one of the raised wooden platforms, the emperor tied to a pole behind him transforming back into her human form, she approached the rouran warrior, ignoring the daggers he shot at her with his eyes
the rouran leader had no power over her anymore
“the attack has met fierce resistance,” xianniang said
bri khan’s eyes widened in disbelief “from who” he snapped
xianniang almost smiled, but she kept her expression stoic as she responded, “a young woman from a small village”
bri khan laughed “a girl”
walking toward the edge of the tower, xianniang looked out over the construction site on the ground below, she could see mulan racing toward the tower she was calm, posed, her face a study in focus turning back to bri khan, xianniang shook her head “no,” she said “a woman a warrior” her voice was strong and proud “she leads a band of brave and loyal soldiers the army is not far behind” she smiled as she saw her words make bri khan’s face contort in rage he looked out the unfinished window of the tower as if he might actually see the army instead, he saw mulan making her way toward them—the warrior who threatened to ruin his plans
“a woman leads their army,” xianniang continued, each word slow and deliberate “and she is no scorned dog”
“you led her here,” bri khan accused, turning back to xianniang he sounded surprised
“you shouldn’t have trusted me,” she said the moment was an echo of their earlier conversation only now it was she who held the upper hand because she no longer needed him and he knew it bri khan’s face grew red and his hands, hanging by his sides, shook as rage enveloped him he reached behind his back and grabbed his bow, notching an arrow and aiming it right at the witch
xianniang didn’t move except to lift one perfectly arched brow “what makes you think you can kill me” she asked
“i can’t,” bri khan replied fast as lightning, he turned and aimed the arrow away from xianniang—and toward mulan, who had made her way inside the new palace gates and stood on the ground below “but i can kill her,” he said, letting the arrow fly
xianniang watched the arrow move through the air as if in slow motion looking down at mulan, xianniang knew she could not let the girl die at the hands of bri khan the rouran warrior had been the last in a long line of people who had made xianniang feel trapped, afraid to embrace the power within herself
xianniang had been right they were alike mulan had hidden who she was, perhaps not in the form of a bird, but under the armor of a man yet she had ultimately embraced who she was and allowed others to see her true self mulan had done what xianniang could never do: she had bee free if mulan were to die now, everything she stood for, all that she had fought for, would be for naught
xianniang knew what she had to do
leaping into the air, xianniang transformed into a hawk with a flap of her wings, she put herself right in the path of the arrow
the arrow slammed into her body, knocking her out of the scaffolding wind whistled in her ears as xianniang felt herself fall just before she hit the earth, mulan’s arms reached out and caught her as mulan lowered her to the ground, xianniang transformed back into her human form she looked up at mulan and gave her a weak smile as she felt the life draining from her body
her head grew heavy, and xianniang let it fall back as she did so, she met mulan’s eyes, which were full of surprise and passion “take your place, hua mulan,” she whispered and then, with one last breath, her chest grew still