90 第18章 智取柔然（1）

第18章 智取柔然（1）

Hidden in a high crevice, Mulan looked down at the ridge where the Rouran army prepared their attack. As she watched, one of the men shouted orders, sending some soldiers toward the edge of the ridge with bows and arrows while others loaded a large, heavy boulder onto the trebuchet. Groaning with effort, the men moved it into position so that it was aimed at the valley—and the Imperial soldiers—below. 
Taking a moment to make sure she was ready, Mulan looked in front of her. The helmets she had taken from the battlef ield were lined up in a row. Black Wind was safely hidden. She was ready. Lifting her bow, she turned and took aim at the Rourans. 
Her f irst arrow f lew through the air. There was a surprised cry as an invader fell to the ground. Then another. And another. It didn’t take long for the soldiers to notice what was happening. One turned, and Mulan saw him scan the ridge where she was hiding. Spotting the Imperial helmets, he let out an angry cry. Shouting new orders, he had his men turn their attention from the valley. The trebuchet was moved until it, too, was pointed toward the mountain where Mulan stood, hidden from view. 
At the leader’s signal, the Rourans f ired arrows at the row of Imperial helmets, unaware that they were nothing but empty shells, dummies to trick the enemy. When it appeared that the Imperial soldiers were unharmed, the Rourans grew angrier. Their attention turned to the trebuchet. Mulan watched and waited, hoping she had planned correctly. 
A moment later, the group of invaders lit the fuel-covered boulder that sat in its perch on the trebuchet. Instantly, the boulder ignited, bursting into f lame. The invaders released the trebuchet. 
As the f laming boulder f lew, Mulan held her breath. The rock was huge and heavy, and even though it had been propelled with great force, it seemed to move in slow motion across the sky. For Mulan’s plan to work, she needed the boulder to f ly strong and true. 
Closer and closer the boulder f lew until, with a loud boom, it slammed into the snowy mountainside behind her. The noise of the impact echoed down the mountain and over the valley f loor below. The Imperial Army, appearing as small as ants from Mulan’s perch high above, seemed to pause as the sound reached them. Mulan waited, listening. She reached down and put her hand to the ground. 
She felt it. Just the smallest of vibrations, but it was enough to tell her that her plan had worked.