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A brief moment in time	By : Fanatical Category: +M through R > Mulan (Disney) > Mulan (Disney) Views: 23245 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own the cartoons of Disney Studios, nor any of the characters from them. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

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A dark shadow stole quietly out of the window. Silently, the furtive figure made its way to the barn. A small creaking sound, broke the tranquility of night as the wooden door was opened. The large black steed reared up in surprise as an unknown shape approached him. Slender, black gloved hands reached up to him. Familiar words reached the large animal’s ears and Khan began to relax. Quietly, the horse was prepared to be ridden. Then he was led out of the stall by his reins and through the open courtyard. Slowly, the large wooden courtyard gate was pushed open. Once outside, the slender form instantly mounted the big horse. Mulan dug her heels into its flank and galloped off.

Mulan did not know how she was going to rescue Shan Yu, but she would think of something.

CHAPTER 4: THE CITY

Mulan left her horse hidden, under a thick foliage of trees. She would go the rest of the way on foot. Traces of cooked foods, dried herbs, perfumes and other spices lingered in the still air as she made her way through the deserted market. Mulan tried hard to dispel the growing nervousness. She was a lone woman traveling at night. Every rustle of paper in the wind, the yellow eyes of a cat made her anxious. Stories of women being attacked, of travelers being robbed crept into her mind. She stopped short. The faint sound of male voices was coming towards her. She made out the faint glow of a ball of light bobbing down the street in her direction. What the?! Was it a ghost? A bandit?! Mulan was growing more anxious the more she speculated. Hide, you idiot! The voice of reason chided. Mulan through herself behind the wheels of an empty cart and planted herself firmly to the ground.

Soon, she picked up the sound of footfalls. The steps were steady, casual almost. No, it couldn’t be a spirit then. Laughter filled her ears. Would thieves be laughing in the middle of an empty market? And why would they be here at all? What is here to take?

“The Hun keeps insisting he’s not the one.” A man said as they approached where she lay hidden. “What does it matter. That’s one less in the world. Filthy savages!” The first one chuckled. “I understand he can speak our language.” “Strange that he could. And get this! he can even read and write it. Now how did a dirty savage get to learn how to read and write and I didn’t?” “You’re kidding. That barbarian can read and write? How’s that possible.” “I don’t know. Doesn’t seem fair though.” The second complained. “They ought to execute the one that taught him. What a waste!” The first one added. “Yeah, its like teaching women how to read. I mean, what’s the point?” “A woman doesn’t need to know such things. She only has to do one thing in this life.” Both men started snickering.

“So when’s the trial?” The second one asked. “Trial?!” the other asked incredulously. “Are you crazy. Do you really think they would waste their time with him?” “Well what are they going to do with him then? Send him to the Emperor as a gift? Let him rot?” “Well, I hear they’re going to make sure he doesn’t last the night. They got a cook at the barracks who knows all about herbs and stuff. I remember this Captain, who kept complaining about the food all the time. He really made the cook mad. So one day, he put some herbs in his food to make him sick. Didn’t kill him. But he spent the entire night throwing up. After that, the Captain never complained again. You know what I mean?” Mulan’s eyes widened in horror. The laughter turned sinister. “Oh yeah, I certainly do.” “Let’s go back, nothing’s happening here.” Mulan watched as the bobbing light receded from her.

She rose to her feet. She would follow those men. They would lead her to Shan Yu.
And just what did they mean by A woman only need do one thing? Mulan pondered that thought as she shadowed them, alongside the wall.

After several sharp turns. The two soldiers entered a well lighted corridor. Unlike the deserted market they had just come from, this area was teeming with people. Sheets of silk in a variety of color hung over make shift doorways. The heavily painted faces of women lounged in front of these entrances. Mulan could hear the laughter of people. A faint aroma of perfume wafted up to her from the center.

Mulan watched pensively from behind a small structure of collapsed wood, that faced the courtyard. The two guards had come down this place and then entered behind one of those curtains. But why? market was not until the morning. Why would these men be here? And who were these people? Her grandmother had taken her through every inch of this town. But she had never been to this part.

Mulan froze as she heard the sound of wood scraping. “Come on, I know you want this. Feel. This is a man’s cock.” Mulan heard the rustle of silk. “Mmm.” The voice signed. “That’s nice.” “Yeah, nice and big.” The female voice mocked. “It’s a coin or you can put it in a bull for all I care.” Mulan was curious. What were they talking about? And put what in a bull? And why? And what was a cock? Mulan spied a small hole in the side of the shelter and she crawled over to it. She covered the hole with her eye.

A middle aged woman was lying on her back. A man was on top of her. She couldn’t see the man. But she could clearly see the woman’s eyes. She grunted once. “Oh yeah. It’s in.” She heard the man say. What was he doing to her? The woman threw her arms over his back. Then the woman started shifting, up and down. The man groaning at her neck. Mulan raised an eye curiously. The woman was looking up at the ceiling and at one point, she yawned. Then she closed her eyes. Mulan caught a glimpse of the man. His eyes were closed tightly and his face was scrunched up into a grimace. It reminded Mulan of the face she made, when she was trying to relieve herself. Suddenly, the man stopped. His muscles tightened and let out a gasp of air. He slumped over her. The woman looked down at him with an air of indifference. “That was good.” He whispered through shallow breaths. What was good? Mulan thought curiously.

“Uh Huh. My pleasure.” She said with mild sarcasm. She held out her hand expectantly. “Oh.” The man fumbled with his trousers and pulled out a coin. He gave her money to touch her? Mulan quickly scrambled behind the structure as its’ sides creaked as the couple left the run down dwelling. Did her mother give her father a coin too?

Mulan shook off the thought. She had to focus on the matter at hand. Time was running out for Shan Yu. How was she going to get in? The guards would eventually come back outside and she would have to follow them again. She did not like the idea of walking out in the open in that place. There was an aura of menace about the place. But she had no choice. It was the only way through. But dressed as she was, all in black, the trousers and tunic of a man. A scarf around her face. She was sure to attract attention.

She had an idea. She wrapped the scarf that was around her mouth over her head. She put the knife she had hidden in her boot in her belt. She loosened her tunic. She was small, but she was still beginning to fill out the tunic. And even when she was dressed as a woman. The men never paid her attention anyway. She stepped into the center.

She cringed her nose as harsh scents stung her nostrils. These were not the pleasant smells that lingered in the market. These were of filth, urine, alcohol and heavy perfume. They collided into a dense cloud which saturated the center.

From a distance, the scene had appeared, bright. The sounds of the assembled mass, festive. But as Mulan approached the center, she could see that the splendid colors of the delicate fabric were faded. Their stained folds gathered gracefully into the dirt, caked around the opening. Standing in front of some of these doorways or mingling with groups of men were women.

She met the eyes of several women as she passed through. These were not the painted courtiers that she had seen one day, when the royal cart had come through the town. The courtiers were giggling behind their flickering fans. Their faces completely hidden behind a mask of clean white porcelain. Their unblemished faces a display of youth and happiness. No amount of powder could cover the lines of age, exhaustion and despair etched onto the faces of the women here. A hint of sadness flickered behind their sharp eyes.

The blood shot eyes of a drunk, the calloused hands of a farmer, the toothless smile of an elderly man, the occasional noble or two from a lesser house; fog wrapped from some opium den; were either sprawled out unconscious or desperately trying to garner the affections of these women. Predatory eyes weighed the coins being presented to them. Then, with a shrug of indifference, the man was gestured inside with a false smile and mocking bow of the head.

So intrigued by what she had seen, she hadn’t noticed the man approaching her. She jolted as she bumped up against something firm and fleshy. Mulan tilted her face and grimaced in disgust as the stench of alcohol washed over her. “Hey. I haven’t seen anything as sweet as you before. Why don’t you come back with me. I could use a new servant. I had to get rid of the last boy.” Mulan looked up into the bloodshot eyes leering down at her. A small shiver crawled up her spine. His strong grip on her arm made her feel filthy inside.

“Hey Tsang. You forget about me?” Came the false musical voice. Strong perfume filled their space. “Why you keep playing with these boys. Don’t you like girls. I give you special price.” A delicate talon locked around his. “A break from you. This is a treat.” He said releasing his hold on her. Completely ignoring Mulan, he followed the woman as if he were being led by a collar. She gave a silent prayer of thanks to her ancestors. At least your ruse is working. They think you’re a boy!

There was a loud scream and the guards that she had been trailing, stumbled out of a doorway. An elderly woman came out. The old woman was screaming and waving a large knife at them. “Hey! You didn’t pay for her! You just going to do it and go?! Somebody stop them!” They continued up the street. Laughing and thumping each other heartily on the back. Mulan looked around but nobody moved. Mulan’s eyes widened in shock as a girl, no older then she came up beside the old woman. The girl’s hair was long, thin and hung limply on her small shoulders. She wore a simple tunic, knee length, discolored and unwashed. Her feet were bare of shoes. The girl picked up her head. Her dull, lifeless eyes staring blankly at Mulan. A knot of sadness pricked her.

“You worthless cow! You’re supposed to get the money first! Then let them put it in! How many times do I have to tell you!” The grandmother scolded waving the knife at her. The girl dropped her head in shame. The old woman turned her head to Mulan. “What are you looking at?!” “You got any coin, you can have her. Otherwise, get a move on boy!” Mulan quickly started up the path.

A dozen thoughts flooded her mind. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t dismiss them. She had seen so many things today. But the one recurring thought was that the women were being paid by men to touch them. The first one was as old as her mother. And she had seemed bored. The second girl was nearly Mulan’s age and she had behaved as if she hadn’t felt a thing. And yet, the men were happy?

A loud shout quickly pulled her back to the task at hand. She stopped short as the men she was following halted sharply and made to turn. She stepped backwards and tripped over something lying down behind her. She remained still in the darkness. The shapeless lump stirred beside her. “What the....” The voice slurred. Mulan’s heart beat rapidly in the dark. The guard was coming towards them. “What’s wrong?” The second guard asked joining his companion. “I thought I saw something.”

“Hey wh...” The lump began next to her. Mulan quickly slung an arm over him. She stifled a grimace of disgust. His clothing was ragged and filthy. The smell of several weeks without a bath was overpowering. She had to suppress the nausea building within her. She covered his mouth. Thankfully, he didn’t try to fight her. “Come on. The cook’s waiting for us. He gets an escort and we got the duty.” “Yeah, you’re right. It’s just probably Ling. That skinny drunk. Alright. I don’t want to make the cook mad.” The other replied. He turned and followed his comrade.

“Thanks, Ling.” Mulan whispered rising to her feet. She continued to trail the men.
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A brief moment in time