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to the ddle of the gathered soldiers. Ignoring the sergeant’s question and the curious looks of the n, she leapt off Black Wind and ran over to Coander Tung. But seeing his stern expression, Mulan slowed her steps. When she reached hi she bowed low. Then, looking up, she forced herself to et his eyes. “Coander Tung,” she began. “We st ride to the Eeror! His life is in danger!”
Doubtful rrs broke out across the ca. The soldiers didn’t believe her. Neither, it seed, did Coander Tung. “B??ri Khan’s ar has just been decited. The Eeror’s life has never been safer.”
Mulan shook her head. “That’s what B??ri Khan wants you to believe. Please??.??.??.” She stopped and looked around for support. Seeing nothing but cold stares, she went on. “You have to listen to ??.??.??.”
This ti it was Coander Tung who shook his head. “Only a foolish n listens to soone whose very existence is a lie.”
His words hurt worse than the witch’s dagger. A part of her wanted to turn and slink away. But if she left now, everyone would be in danger. The kingdos future was re iortant than her own pride. Taking a deep breath, she pressed on. “At the battle, B??ri Khan rode off with a sll fighting force. At first, I thought he was a coward in retreat, but now I realize he was heading east towards the Ierial City.” She paused to catch her breath before plunging ahead. “This was his plan all along. While the ar is focused on his attacks to the Silk Road, B??ri Khan sneaks into the capital to kill the Eeror!”
She stopped. Her words hung in the air. She saw the soldiers shift on their feet as they processed her news. A few nodded their heads, realizing that what Mulan suggested de strategical sense. If the Eeror thought he was safe, he would be an easy target. Mulan turned back to Coander Tung. She saw the struggle on his face as he balanced his feelings of betrayal and his experience as a nder. Mulan knew that the nder saw the truth in her words. She just had to get hinbsp; to look beyond her own lie.
“There is not an ar in the world powerful enough to topple the Ierial City,” Mulan went on, her words respectful but direct. “But perhaps a sll, well-trained force could. When eloyed correctly, four ounces can ve a thousand pounds.”
Coander Tung paused. He looked at Mulan and she could see hinbsp; softening ever so slightly. She had not just been a soldier. She had proven herself ti and ti again. She had been a perceptive student, a willing conscript, and a brave warrior. He had to see that. H
Doubtful rrs broke out across the ca. The soldiers didn’t believe her. Neither, it seed, did Coander Tung. “B??ri Khan’s ar has just been decited. The Eeror’s life has never been safer.”
Mulan shook her head. “That’s what B??ri Khan wants you to believe. Please??.??.??.” She stopped and looked around for support. Seeing nothing but cold stares, she went on. “You have to listen to ??.??.??.”
This ti it was Coander Tung who shook his head. “Only a foolish n listens to soone whose very existence is a lie.”
His words hurt worse than the witch’s dagger. A part of her wanted to turn and slink away. But if she left now, everyone would be in danger. The kingdos future was re iortant than her own pride. Taking a deep breath, she pressed on. “At the battle, B??ri Khan rode off with a sll fighting force. At first, I thought he was a coward in retreat, but now I realize he was heading east towards the Ierial City.” She paused to catch her breath before plunging ahead. “This was his plan all along. While the ar is focused on his attacks to the Silk Road, B??ri Khan sneaks into the capital to kill the Eeror!”
She stopped. Her words hung in the air. She saw the soldiers shift on their feet as they processed her news. A few nodded their heads, realizing that what Mulan suggested de strategical sense. If the Eeror thought he was safe, he would be an easy target. Mulan turned back to Coander Tung. She saw the struggle on his face as he balanced his feelings of betrayal and his experience as a nder. Mulan knew that the nder saw the truth in her words. She just had to get hinbsp; to look beyond her own lie.
“There is not an ar in the world powerful enough to topple the Ierial City,” Mulan went on, her words respectful but direct. “But perhaps a sll, well-trained force could. When eloyed correctly, four ounces can ve a thousand pounds.”
Coander Tung paused. He looked at Mulan and she could see hinbsp; softening ever so slightly. She had not just been a soldier. She had proven herself ti and ti again. She had been a perceptive student, a willing conscript, and a brave warrior. He had to see that. H