Love or Law

Warning!

Shang reached the grand stairs leading up to the Royal Palace. Dismounting, he untied Shan Yu's sword from his saddle. Balancing the sword on his palms, he continued on foot. His men followed him, as did the dragon that had trailed their footsteps since they entered the city, making their procession a parade of sorts in celebration of their victory. Shang lost count of how many stairs he climbed, but after what seemed like forever he reached the top. He had kept a sharp eye out for anyone who might have been a Hun but hadn't seen any signs of them yet. He needed to get close to the Emperor in order to protect him. The best way to do that would be to present the sword directly to him then get him barricaded within the palace as quickly and smoothly as possible. His men were smart, they would follow his lead without hollered orders. The trick would be to do it in a way so the Huns wouldn't realize what was happening until it was too late to do anything.

The drums boomed out a slow, formal beat, causing the very air to vibrate around him. Shang could see the Emperor emerging from the palace surrounded by important Council members and servants. The elderly man descended the stairs, matching each of his strides to the beat of the drums. He certainly had a flair for the dramatic. The servants bowed low and retreated. Shang knelt out of deep respect to the Emperor as the man approached. However he kept his attention focused on the people and buildings around them. With one last deep GONG! silence fell across all those gathered.

"My children! Heaven smiles down upon the Ming Kingdom! China will sleep safely tonight, thanks to our brave warriors!" The Emperor called in a surprisingly powerful voice and a flair of his long, flowing sleeves.

"Your Highness." Shang started formally, "I present to you the sword of Shan Yu." In a lower voice, meant only for their ears he continued, "My Lord, I fear your life is in danger. Some of the Hun army managed to survive and are somewhere in the City. We need to get you to a safe location."

The Emperor nodded once in recognition of Shang's words but pitched his voice so others could hear what he said, "I know what this means to you Captain Li Shang. Your father would be very proud." Shang closed his eyes briefly at the still painful reminder of his father's fate. He wasn't so sure his recent actions would gain him his father's approval but he was determined to make it right.

Raising the sword he offered the blade for the Emperor to accept. As he did so a familiar sound, the scream of a falcon, ripped through the air. Looking up, Shang could only watch in shock as the bird came streaking through the air and grabbed the blade directly out of his hands. The Emperor recoiled and took a step back, Shang leapt to his feet and followed the bird's path up, up, up to the peak of one of the Palace's steeply pitched roofs. There, the bird dropped the blade. As it fell, one of the hunched, stone dragons guarding the palace seemed to come to life. A large hand reached up and caught the sword by its handle. Shang instinctively went for his own sword as the rest of the man moved and stood so that he was clearly visible to all. Shan Yu.

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Mulan was too far away to do anything. She was forced to watch helplessly as the head of the dragon erupted into chaos. She saw Shang turn and block the attack but not soon enough. Horror filled her as she saw him fall. The others rushed to help but they were too late. All of those assembled saw their Emperor caught up by the enemy and dragged back into the depths of his palace. Shan Yu's triumphant laugh swept across the courtyard from where he stood, basking in his own superior might. Mulan's heart screamed as she shoved her way through the horrified crowd. Shang couldn't be dead, he couldn't be! NO!