Reflection

Later that day Will led Mr. Huggles though the gate that led to her farm. Napoleon scampered up to her.

"How'd it go, doll?" He asked.

Will didn't answer she just walked past him. Then Tony walked out and smiled at his daughter. Will held Mr. Huggles head closer to hers, too ashamed to face her father. Will led Mr. Huggles to a water trough and started at her reflection sadly.

Will: Look at me

I will never pass

For a perfect bride

Will looked up and saw Susan telling Tony what had happened. Tony hung his head sadly.

Or a perfect daughter

Can it be?

I'm not meant to play this part?

Will opened the cage and let Blunk out. Blunk stared after her sadly knowing that he had caused this.

Now I see

That if I were truly

To be myself

Will jumped onto a bridge railing and walked on it before jumping off.

I would break my family's heart

Will looked into the pond at her reflection

Who is that girl I see?

Staring straight back at me

Why is my reflection

Someone I don't know?

Will walked into the family temple.

Somehow I cannot hide

Who I am

Though I've tried

When will my reflection show?

Who I am inside

Will wiped her makeup off and put her hair down.

When will my reflection show?

Who I am inside

Will walked outside and sat on a stone bench beneath the cherry blossom tree. Tony walked over and Will turned her head. Her father sat down next to her.

"My, my, what beautiful blossoms we have this year," He said. Then he pointed to a small bud. "But look, this one's late. And I'll bet that when it blooms, it will be the most beautiful of all."

Will smiled at her father who smiled back. Then they heard drums sounding. Tony stood up a serious look on her face.

"Dad what is it?" Will asked.

Cedric and a few other soldiers were riding toward the village to deliver the news of the invasion. Will, Susan, Tony and Yan Lin started to walk out of the house.

"Will stay inside," Susan ordered. When her back was turned, Yan Lin cleared her throat and gestured for Will to go up on the roof. Will looked over the roof to watch what was going on.

"Citizens, I bring a proclamation for the Imperial city!" Cedric cried out. "The Huns have invaded Meridian!"

Everyone gasped including Will. Cedric continued.

"By order of the queen one man from every family must serve in the Imperial army!" He cried. Then he held up a scroll and read the names off of it. "The Tubbs family!" A young boy named Martin walked up and took a scroll from one of the soldiers. "The Dun family!" Uriah walked up and took a scroll. "The Vandom family!"

"No!" Will gasped in horror. She looked at her father who handed his cane to Susan and walked over with a limp.

"I am ready to serve the queen," He said. Just as he was about to take his scroll, Will ran up.

"Dad you can't go!" She cried.

"Will!" Tony cried.

"Please sir my father has already fought bravely-!" Will was cut off when Cedric rode between her and the soldier.

"Silence!" He cried. Then he turned to Tony. "You would do well to teach your daughter to hold her tongue in a man's presence!"

"Will, you dishonor me," Tony said. Will dropped her head sadly, as Yan Lin took Will's arm.

"Report tomorrow at the Moo-Shung camp!" Cedric ordered, handing Tony the scroll.

"Yes sir," Tony replied. Then he walked back to his house. Susan tried to give him back his cane, but he refused, walking past his wife.

Later that night Will came to the room where her father kept his armor. She watched as he opened the closet and took out a sword. Tony moved the sword around in ways he had learned years ago. Suddenly his leg gave out. Will watched in horror as he dropped the sword and leaned against a pillar for support. Will backed away very afraid for her father's life.

At the dinner table, everyone sat in silence. Even Yan Lin was somber. Finally Will couldn't stand it. She slammed her tea cup on the table and stood up.

"You shouldn't have to go!" Will cried.

"Will!" Susan cried.

"There are plenty of young men to fight for Meridian!" Will cried.

"It is an honor to protect my country and my family," Tony replied.

"So you'll die for honor!?" Will practically shouted.

"I will die doing what's right," Tony said, standing up.

"But you-!" Will began.

"I know my place!" Tony shouted at his daughter. "It is time you learned yours!"

Will's eyes widened in shock and tears filled them. Then she ran from the room in tears.

It was raining as Will sat on the Great Stone Dragon statue. She looked up and saw her parent's room. Susan walked away from Tony and out of sight. Tony blew out the candle to rest for tomorrow. Will thought for a second before she got a look of determination on her face.

She walked to the family temple and lit the incense. Blunk watched as she bowed her head and ran out of the room. She went to her parent's room and took the scroll. In its place she left her favorite necklace. Then Will went to get her father's armor. She didn't need to cut her hair as it was already short. Then she put the armor on. She walked to the stable to get Mr. Huggles. At first he didn't recognize her until Will calmed him down. As Will mounted him, she looked back her house one last time. Then she burst through the gates and rode away.