Forged in Honor (1995) Read Online Free PDF

don't make much sense, but-"
    Stephen interrupted, "Why did you not run like the others when my father and his Horsemen rode toward the village?"
    Joshua shrugged. "I dunno. I think I knew he wouldn't hurt me."
    Stephen pushed Joshua's hand off his shoulder. "If my father had been 'a bandit, you would be dead and your body would be food for worms."
    Again Joshua shrugged. "But he's not a bandit and I'm here."
    "Fool," Stephen said.
    Joshua turned around and walked for the door. "I came to tell you the Horseman wants you," he said, speaking over his shoulder. "He said it was time for you to stop mourning."
    Joshua slowed at the doorway. "I think the Horseman is wrong. You like to be sad." He closed the door and strode down the hall.
    "The pony has a mind! Yank back on the reins and show him you have one!" Bo Bak bellowed.
    Joshua pulled the reins back but the obstinate pony kept heading for the lettuce field.
    "Yank back on the reins!"
    Joshua yanked back hard. The pony reared back on its hind legs and tumbled the young rider to the ground.
    Bak slowly shook his head and sighed.
    "Greetings and blessings, Teacher."
    Bak turned to face the dark-haired boy who had walked up behind him. "Greetings and blessings, Sao. It is good to gaze upon you again."
    "And I am happy to see you," said Stephen as he took the reins from Bak's hand and swung up on the Horseman's pony. "Is the white Sao your only 'militia'?"
    "Until the pastor gives me men. The boy has heart, but he doesn't understand the ponies."
    Stephen motioned toward the distant boy, who was picking himself up from the dirt. "It appears you need some help."
    Joshua was mumbling to himself as he walked with a slight limp toward the pony, which was munching lettuce in the middle of the field.
    Stephen frowned as he rode up beside the blond boy. "I see that you are not a cowboy. I thought all Americans were cowboys."
    Joshua kept walking, not showing his surprise at Stephen's presence. "Nope, I'm not a cowboy. I'd never been on a horse before yesterday, but I'm gonna ride that devil before the day is through. He will go where I wanna go."
    Stephen reined his pony to a halt. "Then you have learned the first lesson. You must have a stronger will than the beast.
    These are Yunnan ponies from China. My father says they are the best mountain ponies in the world because they are so mean and strong. They don't understand kindness, little Sao, but they do understand a good kick."
    Joshua mumbled a sarcastic "thanks" as he plodded on.
    Stephen watched as Joshua took the reins of his pony and swung himself up into the saddle.
    "Keep your feet in the stirrups," instructed Stephen, "and press your knees against him tightly. Keep a good grip on the reins. ... Now rein him around. Good. Now a little kick in the flanks ... Very good. You see, a kick works with him.
    He will respect you for it."
    An elated smile covered Joshua's face as he headed the pony toward Stephen. "I'm doing it! Look! I'm doing-"
    The pony suddenly reared back on its hind legs, pawing the air with its front hooves. Joshua was still in the saddle, but his smile had turned into a terror-stricken grimace. He dropped the reins and grabbed the saddle horn for a better hold. The pony reared again and came down in a dead run.
    Stephen sighed as he watched the horse head for the tree line with its bouncing rider. Giving his own horse a kick, Stephen headed the animal after them.
    It was like twilight under the canopy of trees as Stephen reined his pony to a halt, and listened. It took only a moment within the quiet before he heard crashing and hoof beats off to his right. Sighing again, Stephen reined his horse toward the sound. He had traveled only twenty yards when directly in front of him the runaway broke through a green wall of vines and headed toward him. Still holding on, Joshua looked as if he had been flayed with a whip. His shirt was in tatters and his face, chest, and arms were covered in bloody scratches.
    Stephen had