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

Joshua corrected, knowing he was in no danger.
    Xu Kang laughed and tossed his arm over the boy's shoulder. "Yes, one hundred, and next year at the hunter's campfire it will be two hundred. You are truly becoming a Shan."
    The Sawbaw's smile slowly dissolved as he looked into the boy's eyes. "How is my son, little Sao? Is he doing well in school?"
    "He is the smartest in our class in arithmetic and writing," said Joshua. "My mother says he is her best student."
    Xu Kang's face beamed. "Do you hear this, Bak? My son is first in his class!"
    The old man sipped his zu and nodded. "He is far more intelligent than his father."
    Xu Kang laughed and patted Joshua's back. "You must return home, little Sao, before your family worries. This is our secret. Tell no one you saw me, not even Stephen. He would not understand."
    Joshua stood to face the Sawbaw and waited for the shoulder clap. Xu Kang nodded to Bak. "You have taught him well. He knows our customs and shows respect." He placed his hand on Joshua's shoulder. "I am proud of you, little Sao.
    You and my son ride and shoot like Horsemen. You both lifted my heart. I thank you for being my son's friend. He is honored."
    Joshua clapped his small hand on the Xu Kang's shoulder.
    "I am the one honored, Chindit. Stephen is my best friend."
    Bak guided Joshua to the door and walked out into the darkness with him. "Be careful on the walk home, and remember to say nothing of what you saw."
    Joshua stopped and looked up at the old man. "The Chindit misses his son, doesn't he?"
    Bak patted the boy's back. "Yes, very much. He will be back often, for he cannot stay away, but Stephen must never know the Sawbaw watches him."
    Joshua turned away in silence and began the long walk home. He knew that his father was watching him, too ... from afar.

    Chapter 5.
    1964 Shaduzup, Burma.
    "Don't be distracted!" Bak bellowed. "Stephen, you are first. Watch your front and remember what I taught you."
    Both boys turned back to face the meadow. Stephen took a step forward and raised an old British pistol. From the opposite side of the meadow's tree line, six militiamen stepped out and began running toward the boys. Stephen aimed and fired the pistol, which held only blank ammunition.
    Bak stood directly behind Stephen, watching his every move and sight alignment. "Hit!" he barked after Stephen fired at his first target. Stephen aimed at another oncoming attacker and pulled the trigger. The militia were closing in fast, shooting rifles loaded with blanks as they ran.
    Bak kept his eyes on Stephen. "Hit ... miss ... hit ... miss ... miss."
    The militiamen ran past the boys and Stephen turned to his teacher, who was shaking his head. "You are dead. Yes, you fought bravely, but not wisely. Remember what I taught you. You must pick your targets based on their threat to you, and once you select a target you can see or hear nothing else."
    Stephen dejectedly handed the pistol to Bak. "But Teacher, they came so fast. There isn't time to determine which targets are most dangerous, let alone shoot them all."
    Bak reloaded the old revolver with more blanks. "You blinked when they shot at you. Blinking demonstrates a lack of concentration. It is a difficult test, my students. I have never had a student shoot all the targets the first time. You will get better with practice and concentration." Bak handed the weapon to Joshua. "Now it is time for your first attempt.
    Remember, the weapon is an extension of your mind. Point, aim, and shoot. When under attack the victor is the man who keeps his senses and is not distracted. Fear is your enemy, more so than the attacker. Fear causes blinking, and fear causes you to jerk the trigger instead of squeezing. Shooting a man is difficult to teach, but a man who can accept death will always be the victor in a fight over a man who fears for his life. When facing an enemy with weapons it is a truth that someone will die. Accepting death is like a shield because you no longer have the