Thefirewasout.Themonksweregone—andsowasBlackWind!
Inaflash,Mulanwasonherfeet.Theclearingwassilent.Whistlingloudly,shewaited.Therewasnoansweringwhickerorsoundofhoofbeats.Shewhistledagain.Stillnothing.Mulan’sheartdroppedashergreatestfearwasrealized.BlackWindwasgone.
Inhisplacewasthemonks’raggedy,tireddonkey.
Mulanbitbackascream.Shehadnohorseandnofood.Stompingherfootinfrustration,sheyelpedassherealizedthathershoesweregone,too!Andshehadn’tevenreachedthearmyyet.
Takingadeepbreath,Mulansteadiedherracingheart.Shehadspethisfar.Shewasn’tgoingtoturnbacknow.Sheowedittoherfamily—andherself.Gatheringherfewremainingpossessions,shebrushedherfingersoverthewritingonthesmoothmetalofherfather’ssword.LOYAL.BRAVE.TRUE.Thewordshadgottenherfatherthroughhisownbattleandwerenowapartofherstory,forbetterorworse.
Strappingtheswordtoherback,shegrabbedthereinsofthedonkeyandleditoutoftheclearing.Thedonkey’sstepswereslowandplodding,andeveryfewfeetthestubbornanimariedtostoptograbapieceofgrass.Mulantuggedimpatientlyatthereins.
Couldanythingelsegowrong?
shewondered.