Forged in Honor (1995) by Leonard B Scott Read Free Book Online Page A

Joshua, climbing down from the saddle. He took several steps, halted, thumbed off the safety, and slowly raised his rifle.
    Stephen joined his friend seconds later and kneeled. Still keeping his eyes on the track, Joshua whispered, "You take the first when they come into view again. I'll take the second."
    Stephen began to smile, thinking it was another of Joshua's jokes, when to his astonishment two gyi stepped out from behind the clump of bamboo just fifty yards away. The one in the lead was larger and darker in color, its head erect and alert as it looked and smelled for danger. Sensing a threat, the lead gyi abruptly stopped, swinging its head right and left, its large brown eyes searching. Stephen raised his rifle, but seeing his sudden movement, the animal bolted.
    Joshua fired, and the second gyi toppled over. Running forward, Joshua worked the bolt while keeping his eyes on the escaping leader. It was bounding down the ridge, having to zig and zag around the monstrous teaks. Joshua stopped, raised the weapon, and fired again.
    He stood with the rifle held to his shoulder, not moving a muscle. He was waiting for everything to come back into focus. He had not heard his two shots nor had he seen the trees, mist, or vegetation. All he had seen were the two gyi; everything else had blurred. He had seen the first one quiver just before it bolted. He had seen indecision in the second animal's eyes just before the bullet struck. The escaping gyi's eyes had been at first full of fear, but the look had changed to hope when it thought it would live. Its huge brown eyes had dulled in that instant the bullet tore into its flesh.
    "Joshua? Joshua, are you all right?" asked Stephen, worried by the fact that his friend had not moved.
    As if in slow motion, Joshua lowered his rifle and turned to face his friend. "I ... I'm fine."
    "Did you kill the big one?"
    Joshua nodded as his eyes came back into focus. He strode to his pony and placed the rifle back into the saddle boot.
    "By the gods, you shot both of them! It is true you Americans are all cowboys."
    Shrugging his shoulders, Joshua grasped the reins of his horse. "Beginner's luck, I guess. Come on, let's get 'em and find some more. The next are yours."
    The sun was setting as Joshua and Stephen stood by the water pump behind the dormitory cleaning themselves.
    Joshua put on his shirt and felt for his sheath knife. "Darn, I left my knife in Teacher's hut. I'm gonna run back and get it."
    "I will go with you," Stephen said, buttoning his shirt.
    "Naw, you'll miss the dorm supper. I'll see you in your room after I've had dinner at the house."
    Stephen dipped his chin in reluctant agreement, and Joshua broke into a slow jog. It was dark by the time he slowed to a walk just short of the hut. When he heard voices and laughter, he froze. Who could it be? he wondered. Bandits, Wa. or-Something hard poked him in the back and a harsh Shan voice said, "Move and you die. Raise your hands."
    Gulping, Joshua raised his arms as the voice had commanded. "Who are you?" the voice continued.
    "Joshua, student of the Teacher."
    The pressure against his back was removed and a man stepped around in front of Joshua and took his arm. "Come, little Sao."
    As soon as Bak's door opened, Joshua stepped in and his mouth fell open. Xu Kang turned from the small cooking fire with a smile. "Have you come to challenge me again, little Sao?"
    Bak chuckled and set down the cup of zu he was drinking.
    "I fear your secret is no longer one, Chindit."
    Xu Kang motioned Joshua to a bench and said, "Your teacher is correct, but the question is, what should I do about it?"
    Joshua stammered, "I won't tell anybody."
    "Of course not," said Xu Kang as he sat down beside the boy. "You know the power of the Chindit. I suppose I should explain. I came to watch the hunt. To shoot your first gyi is a first step toward manhood, and I was very impressed with your shot today. The gyi was at least fifty yards away."
    "One hundred,"