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In the Rouran camp, warriors also readied for battle. Swords were being sharpened and bows were being stretched. B�0�2ri Khan was also preparing. He stood with his bare chest glistening as he washed himself. It was a ritual, one that allowed him to brace himself both physically and mentally for the fight ahead.

Khan was pleased. His army had grown, and now hundreds of yurts filled with hundreds of men dotted the harsh landscape around him. It had taken him more time than he had hoped, but with the death of Duba Tegin he had ensured the loyalty of all the tribes.

Now they just needed to take over the Empire.

Hearing the familiar screech of a hawk, he turned as the bird flew into his tent. As he watched, the creature transformed. Wings became arms, claws turned to feet, and soon Xianniang stood in front of him.

“You have news from the garrison?” Khan asked, not stopping his washing.

The witch nodded. She had been on patrol for most of the night and looked bothered to not have his complete attention. “New soldiers,” she reported. “Children. It will fall. Before the new moon you will take the kingdom. You will have your revenge. If our plan continues.”

At her words, B�0�2ri Khan’s hand stilled and he lifted his gaze to meet hers. He didn’t like the defiant edge to her tone. “What threatens our plan?” he asked. As he spoke, he took a menacing step toward the witch.

“I must be able to trust you,” Xianniang said, her tone cold. She did not shrink away from B�0�2ri Khan’s hulking body, but she did lift her chest higher, as though trying to match him.

“You can’t trust me,” he replied, taking some small satisfaction from the surprise that flickered over the witch’s face. “But you have no choice. When I found you out on the desert steppe, wandering alone, you were exiled. A scorned dog. Your powers meant nothing without me.” He stopped, his words hanging heavy in the air. He stared down at Xianniang, waiting for her response.

In a flash, Xianniang’s talons were out and wrapped around his neck. “I could tear you to pieces before you blink,” she hissed.

B�0�2ri Khan felt the talons at his throat and saw the anger in the witch’s eyes. But he remained calm. When he spoke, his voice was even—and ice cold. “Remember what you want. A place where your powers will not be vilified. A place where you are accepted for who you are.” He watched the witch’s expression grow angrier as the words she had said to him in confidence echoed back at her. “You won’t get what you want without me. And do you want to know why?” He paused, though he knew she wouldn’t answer. “No army will follow a woman.” He let his words hang in the air. “Trust me or not, I’m your only option.”

B�0�2ri Khan watched as the anger dimmed in her eyes. Xianniang knew he was right.

“Remember you also need me, B�0�2ri Khan,” she replied after a short pause, her grip still tight on his neck.

“I don’t deny it,” B�0�2ri Khan said.

They held each other’s gaze for a moment longer. Xianniang withdrew her talons from B�0�2ri Khan’s throat.

“We will finish what we started,” she said.

This time, B�0�2ri Khan gave a nod. “Yes,” he agreed. “And you will see to it that nothing—and no one—stands in our way.”

Pushing past her, B�0�2ri Khan put on a tunic and strode over to the door of the yurt. Yes, things were falling into place. He had his army. He had his witch. And soon he would have his kingdom.

Mulan stared out at the thick mist in front of her. The sun tried to cut through the gray, making it hard to see what was shadow and what was real. Astride Black Wind, Mulan could make out a bit more than the soldiers on the ground could. But not much more.

She had been surprised when Commander Tung had ordered them to stop in the middle of the mist-filled valley. It seemed like that would put them at a disadvantage strategically. But apparently not. This way, the commander told them, the element of surprise would be on their side. They knew which direction the Rouran army was coming from, whereas the enemy had no idea what now lay in wait.