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For a long moment, Mulan stood, her chest rising and falling evenly. She turned around, her eyes growing wide as she took in the breathtaking view from the top of the shrine. Her eyes paused as she spotted the Phoenix perched on a nearby statue. Spreading her feathers wide, the Phoenix called out in triumph.

Pride flooded through Mulan. She had done it. She had done what no man had been able to. She, Mulan, a girl from a small village, had made the impossible possible. She turned back to look at the soldiers gathered below. Only then, as she saw the looks of wonder, awe, and amazement on their faces, did she allow herself a smile.

Commander Tung’s thoughts swirled in his head. Hua Jun had done it. He had conquered the shrine. In all his years training soldiers, he had only seen a handful of men accomplish the task. And none of them had done so with the grace and focus Hua Jun had demonstrated. Turning away from the shrine, the commander walked toward his tent. Sergeant Qiang fell into step beside him.

“Hua Jun is a true leader,” the sergeant observed. He, too, had been impressed by the soldier’s success.

Commander Tung nodded. “Yes. He has the same spirit as his father—a warrior.” He paused, his face thoughtful. “But I sense something still holds him back.”

“Perhaps in time he’ll overcome the obstacle,” Sergeant Qiang said after a moment.

The commander’s steps stopped, and he turned to look at his second-in-command. “We’re out of time,” he said. “The enemy advances. We deploy at first light.”

He didn’t need to say more. With a nod, Sergeant Qiang turned and ordered the soldiers to the parade grounds. Despite their exhaustion, the men jumped to attention and made their way over as fast as their tired legs could take them. Mulan arrived last, having had to climb down from the shrine.

When all the conscripts were gathered, Commander Tung took his place in front of them. “Our training is not finished,” he said. “But we live during a time of war. Therefore, we shift with changing winds.” He paused to make sure he had everyone’s attention. Satisfied the men were listening, he went on. “We leave to defend the Mountain Steppe Garrison.”

The response was swift. Surprise, fear, and excitement spread through the men. Whispers and murmurs rose over them like a wave. This was what they had been waiting for—and dreading. From 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 accomplish a training task. It was an entirely different thing to face actual battle.

Commander Tung lifted a hand. The men grew silent once more. “You will now take the Oath of the Warrior, pledging fidelity to the Three Pillars of Virtue.” The commander pulled out his sword. Mulan’s eyes widened as she realized it was identical to her father’s. Sensing her eyes on him, Commander Tung looked over and nodded ever so subtly in her direction. “Without each one of these pillars, your vital chi is diminished.”

One by one, the student warriors unsheathed their swords and held them high. As Mulan lifted her own, she saw the inscription glittering in the sun. Her eyes read the words as, in front of them, Tung said them aloud. “Brave!” he shouted.

The soldiers, including Mulan, echoed the word back to him.

“Loyal!” Again, after the commander’s shout, the soldiers shouted back.

A sense of dread began to build in Mulan’s stomach as she saw the word that would be shouted next. “True!” Commander Tung finished.

Around her, all the other soldiers yelled out the word, their voices full of emotion and pride. But Mulan stayed quiet. How could she swear to be true when she was living a lie?

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