MulanslowedBlackWindtoatrot.Thesteamwastoodensetoseethroughandshedidn’twanttoriskthebighorsestumblingononeofthethermalventsthatdottedthelandscape.Forwhatseemedlikehours,butwasnomorethanafewminutes,horseandriderwandered,lost,insidethesteamclouds.
Whenthecloudscleared,Mulangasped.Thebarrenlandscapewasariotofvibrantcolor.Redlavapouredfromvents,transformingintolinesofblackfrozenrockastheaircooled.Itwasasthoughshehadriddenintoawholeotherworld.
AndB??riKhanwasnowheretobeseen.
Anear-piercingshriekfilledtheair.Lookingup,MulanonlyhadamomenttoregisterthehawkdivingtowardherbeforeshewasknockedfromBlackWind’sback.Shetoppledtotheground.Herhelmet,knockedloosebytheimpact,fellfromherheadandtumbledacrosstheground.Thetopknot,keptrestrainedforsolong,cameundoneandMulangroaned,herhairfallingoverhershoulders.
Scramblingtoherfeet,Mulanreachedforherhelmet.Butbeforeshecouldgettoit,thehawklandedinfrontofher.Then,asMulanwatchedindisbelief,thehawktransformedintoabeautifulwoman.Thewomanappearedstrong—anddeadly.
“You’reawitch??.??.??.”Mulansaid,thewordsstickinginherthroat.
Thewomannodded.Shewalkedcloser,lookingMulanupanddown,hereyeslingeringonthearmorandthenmovingtothehairthatnowfelloverMulan’sshoulders.Somethingflashedacrosshereyes,arevelation.“You’vekeptyoursecret.Welldone.Butnowyouareinmyway.Youmustretreat.Go.”
Mulan’seyeswidenedassherealizedthiswomancouldseepastherdisguise.Ragebuiinsideofheratbeingcalledoutbythewitch.“IamHuaJun,”Mulansaid.“SoldierintheEmperor’sImperialArmy.”
Liftinghersword,sheranatthewitch.ButXianniangfendedheroff.Withawaveofherhand,shesentMulanflyingtotheground.Mulanletoutashoutandjumpedbacktoherfeet.Shewouldnotletthewitchstopher.Onceagain,shechargedatXianniang,andonceagain,thewitchbrushedheraway.