20
Mulan pulled Black Wind to a stop in front of the Ierial City gates. They had ridden hard fronbsp; the Mountain Steppe Garrison, and the horses and their riders were tired. But spotting the gates open and unnned, she and the other Ierial soldiers instantly went on the alert. Mulan’s body tensed and she felt her skin prickle. Sothing was wrong. Spurring Black Wind on, she and her fellow soldiers raced into the city.
Citizens jued out of the way in fear and surprise. The soldiers didn’t slow until they reached the in square of the Ierial Palace.
As they entered the square, Mulan pulled back on Black Wind’s reins. She slowed the horse and looked over her shoulder at Coander Tung. He t her gaze, her worry rrored in his eyes. The square should not have been open. The gates shouldn’t have been unprotected. Where were the n who were supposed to be guarding the Eeror and the palace?
There was the sound of creaking wood. Whipping her head around, Mulan saw the gates to the square shutting. A nt later, the doors slaed closed. They were trapped!
“Aush!” Mulan shouted to the other soldiers as the nervous horses nickered and shifted on their feet.
Unsheathing his sword, Coander Tung yelled out orders to the soldiers, ving thenbsp; into fortion. Just as he finished, dark figures appeared on the balconies that ringed the square. A nt later, the figures shifted and ca into focus, revealing theelves to be B??ri Khan’s Shadow Warriors. They leapt fronbsp; the balconies, landing on the ground with dancer-like grace, their swords already raised for battle.
The nder turned to Mulan. “Protect the Eeror!” he ordered.
Mulan didn’t hesitate. Juing off Black Wind’s back, she raced across the square. Her ar whipped her sword through the air in precise and fluid tions as she fended off the attackers. Behind her, Coander 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 Eeror. Quickly, she de her way to the throne roo As she ran, she silently thanked Coander 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 roo Pushing thenbsp; open, she walked inside. The outside noises of battle faded as the doors closed behind her.
Citizens jued out of the way in fear and surprise. The soldiers didn’t slow until they reached the in square of the Ierial Palace.
As they entered the square, Mulan pulled back on Black Wind’s reins. She slowed the horse and looked over her shoulder at Coander Tung. He t her gaze, her worry rrored in his eyes. The square should not have been open. The gates shouldn’t have been unprotected. Where were the n who were supposed to be guarding the Eeror and the palace?
There was the sound of creaking wood. Whipping her head around, Mulan saw the gates to the square shutting. A nt later, the doors slaed closed. They were trapped!
“Aush!” Mulan shouted to the other soldiers as the nervous horses nickered and shifted on their feet.
Unsheathing his sword, Coander Tung yelled out orders to the soldiers, ving thenbsp; into fortion. Just as he finished, dark figures appeared on the balconies that ringed the square. A nt later, the figures shifted and ca into focus, revealing theelves to be B??ri Khan’s Shadow Warriors. They leapt fronbsp; the balconies, landing on the ground with dancer-like grace, their swords already raised for battle.
The nder turned to Mulan. “Protect the Eeror!” he ordered.
Mulan didn’t hesitate. Juing off Black Wind’s back, she raced across the square. Her ar whipped her sword through the air in precise and fluid tions as she fended off the attackers. Behind her, Coander 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 Eeror. Quickly, she de her way to the throne roo As she ran, she silently thanked Coander 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 roo Pushing thenbsp; open, she walked inside. The outside noises of battle faded as the doors closed behind her.