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“Not the face—” he started to say.</p>

But Mulan didn’t let him finish. She leapt again and, this time, spun in the air before kicking Ramtish in the chest. His own fake beard went flying, landing in the middle of a table of very confused onlookers.</p>

As the pair of thieves stared at her with a mixture of awe and fear, Mulan turned and walked out of the tavern. Behind her she could hear the other soldiers picking up Skatch and Ramtish. By the time she had found Commander Tung, the two fake monks had been put in stock collars, their heads hanging uncomfortably between the wooden planks.</p>

“Tell us what happened, Hua Jun,” Commander Tung said as the sun set over the garrison courtyard. Beside him stood the garrison commander. Sergeant Qiang and the other soldiers were a few paces away, watching with curiosity.</p>

Mulan stepped forward. “I met these two bandits on the road,” she explained, shooting them a look. “They offered me food and drink, and??6??2.??6??2.??6??2.” She paused, her voice unsure. She didn’t want to admit they had fooled her into believing they were monks, and worse, tricked her into drinking. That would make her look weak and ridiculous. “And??6??2.??6??2.??6??2.” she stammered.</p>

To her surprise, Skatch jumped in. “Hua Jun showed us a rare generosity of spirit,” he said, looking up at her through the hair that fell over his eyes. “Offering a place by his fire. In return, we betrayed his trust.”</p>

Mulan’s eyes widened. Skatch was protecting her honor. But why? What good did that do him? She looked over at him, curious to see what he would say next.</p>

“It is true,” Skatch went on. “We are not monks. We are, in fact, bandits. An odd career choice, perhaps, but it’s a time-honored profession. We bandits are an integral element of the Silk Road. Eliminate us, and the delicate fabric of the entire enterprise unravels.”</p>

Unbelievable,</p>

Mulan thought. Somehow, Skatch was making it sound like his job of stealing was an honorable one. A task that others needed him to perform. She looked at Commander Tung’s face and saw that he, too, looked incredulous.</p>

Ramtish, whose face wore an expression Mulan couldn’t quite make out, nodded. “Might I add, Commander, that we could also have taken the lad’s sword, but I—personally—felt that would be wrong.”</p>

Mulan resisted the urge to laugh out loud. She very much doubted that was the case. True, she didn’t know these men well, but she would have put money on Skatch being the one who had left her the sword. Of the two, he had seemed the more gentlemanly, if that term could even be used for such heathens.</p>

Noticing that the commander and the others were losing patience, Skatch went on, pleading his case. “Accordingly, if Hua Jun finds it in his heart to forgive us”—he paused and turned to Commander Tung—“and the wise commander sees his way clear to pardoning us, we can proceed with removing these restraints??6??2.??6??2.??6??2.”</p>

The commander had heard enough. He raised a hand, silencing Skatch. Looking at Sergeant Qiang, he called him over. “Sergeant, what is the penalty for stealing a soldier’s horse during wartime?” he asked.</p>

“Death,” Sergeant Qiang replied.</p>

In the stocks, Skatch’s and Ramtish’s now beardless faces grew pale. Mulan’s eyes widened.</p>

“Hua Jun,” Commander Tung said, turning to her. “Did these miscreants steal your horse?”</p>

Mulan hesitated, but after a second, she nodded. “Yes,” she said.</p>

She was kept from saying more by the sudden shout of a soldier behind her. “Scouts at the gate!” A moment later, the large doors swung open and two men raced through. Their horses were lathered in sweat, their own faces ashen. Dismounting, they raced over to the commander.</p>

“B??0??2ri Khan assembles not a half day’s ride from here,” the first scout reported. “They prepare for battle. We are greatly outnumbered.”</p>

Instantly, the soldiers began to murmur. Turning to the guards stationed at the top of the gate, the garrison commander shouted, “Fortify for a siege!” His voice was filled with fear, causing the men around him to grow nervous.</p>

Beside him, Commander Tung remained calm. Once again, he lifted his hand. Instantly, the garrison grew quiet. “No!” he said to the garrison commander. “We will appear where we are unexpected. Let Khan charge our wall of spears on ground of our choosing. He who moves first controls the enemy.” He paused and looked out over his soldiers, his gaze lingering longest on Mulan. Then he turned back to Sergeant Qiang. “Prepare the men,” he ordered.</p>

The soldiers didn’t hesitate. Instantly, they moved into action, readying for battle. But the sergeant hesitated. Mulan saw him nod toward Skatch and Ramtish, who stood forgotten in the stocks. “Commander Tung—the bandits?” he asked.</p>

The commander barely registered the question, distracted by the news. But Mulan did. And she saw a way to perhaps save the two men from the penalty of death. She didn’t like them, but she didn’t want their deaths on her conscience. Stepping forward, she addressed Commander Tung. “If I may, Commander??6??2.??6??2.??6??2.” she began. He nodded for her to go on. “Since we are greatly outnumbered, perhaps these able-bodied miscreants can be of help?”</p>

A look of surprise and approval crossed over Commander Tung’s face. He nodded. “Good thinking. If they perish on the battlefield, at least they’ll have been of some service. Arm them.” His order given, the commander moved off. Behind him, a pair of soldiers removed the stocks from Skatch and Ramtish. Both looked upset by their sudden freedom.</p>

“Arm them?” Skatch said, repeating Commander Tung’s words.</p>

“As in, ‘fight the Rourans’?” Ramtish added. He shook his head, trying desperately to get back in the stocks.</p>

Beside him, Skatch did the same. “Might I suggest all options be considered before we embark on such a hasty decision?” he said to the soldiers.</p>

“Surely there are other ways we can be of service,” Ramtish added. “In fact, we could??6??2.??6??2.??6??2.” He struggled to think of something, anything else they could do to help. “Clean up the horse poop!”</p>

“Yes!” Skatch said, jumping on the idea. “The overabundance of manure on the battlefield is an issue that’s been pushed into the shadows for far too long—”</p>

Mulan couldn’t take any more. “Enough!” she said. To her surprise, both men quieted. “You protected me. Now I have protected you.” She pulled out her sword. “Don’t make me regret it.” Turning, she went to join the others.</p>

As she walked away, she could feel Skatch’s approving eyes on her. She bit back a smile. They were obnoxious, but they were not horrible people. They didn’t deserve to die in the stocks. She had saved them from that. Now they would just have to use their conniving ways to make sure they didn’t perish on the battlefield.</p>

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