K.M. Robinson - Mulan Dragon Shifter

MULAN DRAGON SHIFTER

Copyright 2020 by K.M. Robinson.

A piercing screech fills the valley. Glass in the windowpanes rattle as the mighty beast goes by, flapping its wings. It dips low over the town, forcing air to barrel through the streets, knocking people off balance.

I have to go. Im so sorry, Mulan.

Keung, wait! I shouldnt have called to himI know betterbut I couldnt help myself. Youre not ready to go back.

Stepping toward me, Keung takes my shoulders in his hands. Its been two months since you found me, Mulan. You healed me.

Keung cups my chin in his hand as he tilts my gaze up to meet his. The lieutenants kiss is soft, piercing my very soul. My hand snakes out from my side, wrapping around his waist and I will us back to the blanket we laid on yesterday, eating lunch in the sparkling afternoon sun outside of the hospital where he had been staying to recover.

He obliges as I pull him closer, running his hands through my hair. Everything sparks under his touch. The bottom of his long hair tickles my wrists as my hands brush over the back of his belt in my foolish attempt to keep him by my side.

I have to go, he shouts, pulling away quickly as another dragon flies overhead, screaming commands at the army. Ill come back to you, Lin Mulan. When the war is over, Ill come back to you.

Smirking over his shoulder, he blows a kiss at me. The moment he turns away, he shifts. Red wings lift him into the sky over the pointed and sloped buildings; hes careful not to cause too much of a wind tunnel as he takes flight, sparing the merchants tables and wares.

I lower my hand from where it had been outstretched to him. Two months wasnt enough time. His wounds from the battle had healed but I wasnt ready to say goodbye.

Theyre calling for a conscription! A womans voice rises above the noise of the vendors and floats to the alley Keung and I were hiding in to say goodbye. They demand our men to go to war!

There wasnt supposed to be a conscriptionthe enlisted men are to meet in the Center, but now we have to send our sons to war with them? Chens army must be escaping us with the black jade blossomwe cant let that happen.

It is an honor to serve the emperor and the province, woman! a man shouts in return.

They would take our sons! she fires back as I round the corner, hurrying to see what is happening. Every family must provide a warrior to join the army today. They dont even have time to prepare!

Her screams turn to hysterics as she clutches a toddler in her arms. The merchants try to calm her, but the women in the crowd pick up her cries.

Suddenly, as if realizing it all at the same time, the crowd disperses, rushing to their homes. If what the woman says is true, well all have to provide a dragon to fight in the emperors army to fight to get our life source back.

Jinhai, I whisper. My brother will be forced to fight. His dragon scales will protect him from attack, but hell die anyway, and it will be my fault.

I race through the town past ancient, angled buildings and pagodas, knocking into people running for their homes. Ripples of whispers fill the streets, It is an honor.

An honor. How is it an honor to burn cities and die for the province? It is a necessity, but theres only obligation, no honor.

Yet, I know giving oneself to protect others is the most valiant and selfless thing a person can do, which is why I know my brother will never survive this war.

Mulan! Fathers voice is strong as I crash into the house. Steady, child.

Ancient-looking paintings fill the walls of the house as screens block off sections of the main room. A cluster of lanterns hangs in one corner, their tassels reaching halfway down the wall. The short table on the far side of the room is covered with a project my little sister was working on, but she's nowhere in sight.

Where is Jinhai? I demand, forgetting all about my teary goodbye with the lieutenant moments ago. My gaze darts around the house searching for him.

Painted fans on the wall flash in my sight as I search. Bowls with luxurious markings resting on shelves blur in my vision. I filter out the soft music coming from the other room.

Whats going on? Father orders information. As a retired general for the army, he knows how to get us to tell him things. Despite his injury, he is still terrifying.

The army needs men, Father. Jinhai steps into the house, closing the door behind him. I step out of his way. A dragon is required of each family.

Ill go, Father proclaims.

No! my twin and I banish the thought at once.

Ill go, Father, my twin announces.

You cant, I protest. Youll die.

Im not as strong as I should be, Mulan, but Im not a lost cause. Jinhai glares at me. Im to blame.

The door bangs open, knocking objects off a shelf. Mother stands in the light, a force scarier than Father.

Kuo. Her voice is chilling.

I know, my love. Father walks to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. He will be fine. He is ready.

Mother shrugs him off and walks to Jinhais side. You are strong, my boy. You will serve the province well. Youll remain in the area for a few days, so we dont need to pack you yet, but youre due in the Center within the hour. You should go now. Get dressed.

He can wait a few minutes, Mother. Ming peeks out of her room. It wont take an hour to get to the Center.

Your brother will be early, Ming. It shows strength and preparedness. He will find favor with the generals.

I wonder if hell be serving with the lieutenant now. Perhaps hell be in the Center when I take Jinhai to drop him off.

He will find favor with the generals because of Father, Ming replies, unafraid of Mothers reaction. Mothers jaw tightens but she chooses not to argue when she could be putting her energy into preparing her son for battle.

Jinhai slips away to get ready, holding eye contact with me for a moment as he scoots around the furniture and green plants mother keeps in the house.

Your brother will find favor for many reasons, Ming. He is a fearsome dragon from a strong family line. He will be fine in battle and will return to us victorious with the rebels heads on pikes.

Mings eyes grow wide.