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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.