"What did you see?"
Shang gripped Mulan's shoulder and she winced. "I - It was so fast. I didn't..."
"Mul-, I mean Ping". Still gripping her shoulder, Shang ushered them to the outside of the camp. "Look at me. Tell me what you know. This camp is inpenetrable. My father made it so. Our defences are second to none. Its not possible that anyone could get in here-"
"Yeah, well they did!" Mulan shook her shoulder free angrily. She glared at Shang, the adrenaline still pumping through her veins and wiped a smear of blood from her cheek with a shaking hand. "Our defences cant be so good if the gate is left wide open at night!" She glanced back into the camp and could see the motionless figures slumped on the ground. Suddenly this war seemed bigger than childish games of proving her worth to her father and to Shang. People were dying - no - were dead. She suddenly felt its weight on her shoulders, heavier than those weights she used to climb the training pole. She didnt feel so much like a girl masquerading anymore. She felt the horror and responsiblilty that a soldier must feel on the battlefield. Feeling her legs about to give way, she sat down heavily and leaned against the gate. Her limbs were still trembling.
"I dont understand!" Shang pressed his hand to his head in frustration. The guards wouldn't leave their posts. They would have seen them coming and raised the alarm".
He looked at the gate beside them, still ajar. "It's not forced". He exclaimed in horror. "They walked right in.."
"There was someone already in the camp". Mulan whispered. She closed her eyes with fatigue. "They gave them some sort of signal and they knew the layout of the camp".
Shang's eyes narrowed. "What are you saying? Theres been a Hun here all along?" He punched the gate in frustration. "No, I would have known! That's impossible. I know my soldiers".
Mulan opened her eyes. "With all due respect sir, you didn't know about my - about who I was". She swallowed, reddening in spite of herself.
Even as the words left her mouth, she felt a cold dread settling upon her. Had a Hun been there all along? A decoy to learn their secrets and use them to destroy the Chinese army? It was incomprehensible... She thought to the hooded figure, so familiar, crooked and thin, now she thought of it, but her thoughts were racing too fast to slow and make sense of what she had seen.
Shang knelt next to her. "You're right. We have to - " He caught himself. "Look, are you alright? I didn't ask..." He touched her shoulder again, gently this time. "You fought good there. When I heard you were fighting, I thought the worst." He didnt need to tell her what the worst was. The ghost hovered in the air between them, then was gone, as quick as she appeared.
Mulan gave him a wan smile. "I'm ok. I honestly didn't know what would happen when I picked up that sword. It looks like your training paid off". She got to her feet unsteadily. "Shang - I mean, Captain, either I need to go, or I need tio help. There are wounded and I dont know if we're safe".
Shang nodded. The events of the last 20 minutes had completely wiped their last conversation from his head. She was still a woman. There were still consequences. But they had bigger problems to deal with, and he needed to secure the camp and think of a next move. He also felt relief at how she had handled herself against the Huns. Maybe she didnt need as much protection as he thought...
"We must attend to the wounded. Find the traitor, and what happened here. We'll talk after, Stay close and keep your sword up". He got to his feet and started back towards the camp, when he noticed the scrunched paper on the floor by the gate. He bent to pick it up.
"What is it?" Mulan peered over his shoulder.
Shang unfolded the paper and scanned it contents. The ink was smeared and he couldn't make all of the characters out. It was in Chinese, and seemed to be instructions.
"Make your way to the front of the camp at midnight. The way will be open, i will guide you. Bring only three men to avoid detection...He will be in his tent, it should be easy."
Shang's hand trembled in anger. WHen he found who did this... He was about to crumple the paper when he noticed the seal at the bottom.
The imperial seal.
How did a Hun get hold of the materials that only Emperor's council had?
He looked slowly at Mulan and held out the paper.
Someone inside the camp, They knew the layout...
By the time their eyes met in horror and they understood, it was too late. They ran towards the gates as they were pulled shut in front of them.