11
as no reprieve. As soon as they learned how to ve their lis in the series of rtial arts neuvers, they were given their swords and required to learn the ves all over again. They continued to work on the archery field, the sun beating down on their backs as arrows flew left, right, and asionally straight. But that was not the worst of it.
The worst was the shrine. Day after day, when the sun was highest in the sky and the hottest on their shoulders, the conscripts were given two buckets of water. Lifting the heavy, awkward vessels out until their ar were level with their shoulders, they were told to cli. The shrine, a huge structure situated on the top of a rocky cliff, was only essible by hundreds of narrow stone steps.
Taking a deep breath, Mulan began the trek. The first few steps were nageable. But as she continued upward, her ar started to shake. Beside her and in front of her, the strongest of n began to stule, failing at the challenge. Water sloshed over the edge of her bucket and she felt her legs growing weaker and weaker until, at last, she sank to the ground, defeated. Up ahead of her, Honghui, who had de it farther than anyone, gave up, too. Mulan stayed still, trying to catch her breath, furious at herself and her weakness.
Hearing a shout fronbsp; Sergeant Qiang, she saw that the others had dued their buckets and were king their way back down the few steps they had clied. As they arrived at the base of the steps, the soldiers rushed toward a large trough of water. They pushed each other out of the way, thirsty and iatient. Mulan approached slowly. Waiting until the others had finished, she stepped forward. Taking the ladle, she drank.
As the water hit her lips, Mulan bit back a groan of pleasure. Her eyes closed, she didn’t notice Coander Tung watching her. In the ddle of the chaos, she was posed. His eyes narrowed with interest. Hua Jun was a surprise. Every task thrown at hi he had t with a quiet grace. He had not once plained, and even when he had been overwheld and weak, he had ed on. And now he had waited while the other n acted like beasts, allowing thenbsp; the chance to satisfy their thirst first. Only the strongest of leaders had the strength of character to wait in such a way. The nder nodded to hielf. Hua Jun was soone to keep an eye on.
“Now she is a girl worth fighting for.”
Cricket’s voice carried over the eating area. Entering the chaotic roo Mulan scanned the soldiers and seats, looking for a safe place to sit. Out of the c
The worst was the shrine. Day after day, when the sun was highest in the sky and the hottest on their shoulders, the conscripts were given two buckets of water. Lifting the heavy, awkward vessels out until their ar were level with their shoulders, they were told to cli. The shrine, a huge structure situated on the top of a rocky cliff, was only essible by hundreds of narrow stone steps.
Taking a deep breath, Mulan began the trek. The first few steps were nageable. But as she continued upward, her ar started to shake. Beside her and in front of her, the strongest of n began to stule, failing at the challenge. Water sloshed over the edge of her bucket and she felt her legs growing weaker and weaker until, at last, she sank to the ground, defeated. Up ahead of her, Honghui, who had de it farther than anyone, gave up, too. Mulan stayed still, trying to catch her breath, furious at herself and her weakness.
Hearing a shout fronbsp; Sergeant Qiang, she saw that the others had dued their buckets and were king their way back down the few steps they had clied. As they arrived at the base of the steps, the soldiers rushed toward a large trough of water. They pushed each other out of the way, thirsty and iatient. Mulan approached slowly. Waiting until the others had finished, she stepped forward. Taking the ladle, she drank.
As the water hit her lips, Mulan bit back a groan of pleasure. Her eyes closed, she didn’t notice Coander Tung watching her. In the ddle of the chaos, she was posed. His eyes narrowed with interest. Hua Jun was a surprise. Every task thrown at hi he had t with a quiet grace. He had not once plained, and even when he had been overwheld and weak, he had ed on. And now he had waited while the other n acted like beasts, allowing thenbsp; the chance to satisfy their thirst first. Only the strongest of leaders had the strength of character to wait in such a way. The nder nodded to hielf. Hua Jun was soone to keep an eye on.
“Now she is a girl worth fighting for.”
Cricket’s voice carried over the eating area. Entering the chaotic roo Mulan scanned the soldiers and seats, looking for a safe place to sit. Out of the c