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I’mdead,

Mulanthought.

ThatiswhyIfeelsoterrible.I’vediedandI’mbeingeternallypunishedbecauseIdisobeyedmyfamily.

Mulanopenedhereyesandimmediatelyshutthemagain.Shewasn’tdead,butshealmostwishedshewere,becausethenmaybeshewouldn’tfeelsoawful.Herheadwaspoundingandhercheeksfeasthoughtheywereonfire.Shetriedtomoveanarmtocoverherfacefromtherelentlesssunabove,butherarmsfetooheavytolift.

Shestoppedmovingandsimplylayforamoment,yellingatherselfandthemonksformakingherfeehisway.SheshouldneverhavelistenedtoSkatch’s“advice.”Asmartwarriorwouldnotdrinkwine.Especiallyifthiswashowtheyfeafter.

Somethingpeckedhernose.“Ouch!”Mulanshouted,hereyessnappingopen.Tohersurprise—andannoyance—theuglybirdwasstaringdownather.Mulanfrownedwhensherealizedthebirdwasscowlingather,asthoughjudginghercurrentstate.

Sittingupquickly,Mulaninstantlyregrettedherchoice.Themovementmadeherheadpoundevenharder.Sheletoutamoan.Then,whenshecouldstomachit,shelookedaround,eagertotellSkatchandRamtishjustwhatshethoughtabouttheiradvice.

Herstomachheaved.