14
he said. “The ene advances. We deploy at first light.”
He didn’t need to say re. With a nod, Sergeant Qiang turned and ordered the soldiers to the parade grounds. Despite their exhaustion, the n jued to attention and de their way over as fast as their tired legs could take the Mulan arrived last, having had to cli down fronbsp; the shrine.
When all the conscripts were gathered, Coander Tung took his place in front of the “Our training is not finished,” he said. “But we live during a ti of war. Therefore, we shift with changing winds.” He paused to ke sure he had everyone’s attention. Satisfied the n were listening, he went on. “We leave to defend the Mountain Steppe Garrison.”
The response was swift. Surprise, fear, and excitent spread through the n. Whispers and rrs rose over thenbsp; like a wave. This was what they had been waiting for—and dreading. Fronbsp; her spot at the back of the crowd, Mulan felt her cheeks grow pale. The energy and strength she had only just been feeling faded. It was one thing to acplish a training task. It was an entirely different thing to face actual battle.
Coander Tung lifted a hand. The n grew silent once re. “You will now take the Oath of the Warrior, pledging fidelity to the Three Pillars of Virtue.” The nder pulled out his sword. Mulan’s eyes widened as she realized it was identical to her father’s. Sensing her eyes on hi Coander Tung looked over and nodded ever so subtly in her direction. “Without each one of these pillars, your vital chi is dinished.”
One by one, the student warriors unsheathed their swords and held thenbsp; high. As Mulan lifted her own, she saw the inscription glittering in the sun. Her eyes read the words as, in front of the Tung said thenbsp; aloud. “Brave!” he shouted.
The soldiers, including Mulan, echoed the word back to hi
“Loyal!” Again, after the nder’s shout, the soldiers shouted back.
A sense of dread began to build in Mulan’s stoch as she saw the word that would be shouted next. “True!” Coander Tung finished.
Around her, all the other soldiers yelled out the word, their voices full of etion and pride. But Mulan stayed quiet. How could she swear to be true when she was living a lie?
(https://liew/b/22451/22451189/36792996.ht)
He didn’t need to say re. With a nod, Sergeant Qiang turned and ordered the soldiers to the parade grounds. Despite their exhaustion, the n jued to attention and de their way over as fast as their tired legs could take the Mulan arrived last, having had to cli down fronbsp; the shrine.
When all the conscripts were gathered, Coander Tung took his place in front of the “Our training is not finished,” he said. “But we live during a ti of war. Therefore, we shift with changing winds.” He paused to ke sure he had everyone’s attention. Satisfied the n were listening, he went on. “We leave to defend the Mountain Steppe Garrison.”
The response was swift. Surprise, fear, and excitent spread through the n. Whispers and rrs rose over thenbsp; like a wave. This was what they had been waiting for—and dreading. Fronbsp; her spot at the back of the crowd, Mulan felt her cheeks grow pale. The energy and strength she had only just been feeling faded. It was one thing to acplish a training task. It was an entirely different thing to face actual battle.
Coander Tung lifted a hand. The n grew silent once re. “You will now take the Oath of the Warrior, pledging fidelity to the Three Pillars of Virtue.” The nder pulled out his sword. Mulan’s eyes widened as she realized it was identical to her father’s. Sensing her eyes on hi Coander Tung looked over and nodded ever so subtly in her direction. “Without each one of these pillars, your vital chi is dinished.”
One by one, the student warriors unsheathed their swords and held thenbsp; high. As Mulan lifted her own, she saw the inscription glittering in the sun. Her eyes read the words as, in front of the Tung said thenbsp; aloud. “Brave!” he shouted.
The soldiers, including Mulan, echoed the word back to hi
“Loyal!” Again, after the nder’s shout, the soldiers shouted back.
A sense of dread began to build in Mulan’s stoch as she saw the word that would be shouted next. “True!” Coander Tung finished.
Around her, all the other soldiers yelled out the word, their voices full of etion and pride. But Mulan stayed quiet. How could she swear to be true when she was living a lie?
(https://liew/b/22451/22451189/36792996.ht)