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

allow me the honor, Mrs. Brown?"
    Tears began trickling down Sarah's cheeks again as she bowed her head. "It would be an honor to ride with you, Josuha Hawkins."
    Stephen took a sip of zu and tried not to make a face.
    Seated beside him in a white cotton dress, Chi leaned over and touched his shoulder with hers. "Will you take me riding tomorrow after our choir practice?" she asked.
    Stephen felt suddenly hot and flushed. Taking a breath for strength, he shrugged. "If you like."
    "Oh yes, I would like it very much," she said and glanced back to the campfire where the militiamen were gathered listening to Bak tell his stories. "When will your Teacher give you the silver band of the Horsemen?"
    Stephen shook his head. "He cannot. Joshua and I can never be Horsemen."
    Chi's eyes darted back to him. "But you passed the test today."
    "Yes, but there is another test, one that we can't take. It is the test of combat, real fighting."
    "It's not fair. You have worked so hard," pouted the young woman.
    Stephen leaned forward and lifted Chi's chin. "Joshua and I have always known we could not be Horsemen. The Master Horseman has taught us the old ways so that the traditions of the Shan will never be forgotten. It was an honor for us."
    Chi glanced again at Bak. "Why are there so few Horsemen? It is said you and Joshua were the first to be taught by the old Horseman in many years."
    Stephen began to answer but Joshua walked up behind him and answered, "Because it takes years to be trained in all the skills. The Teacher says young men who join the rebels don't have the time or care about the old ways anymore. They don't think it's necessary to learn to ride the ponies like the old Horsemen and use a sword. They want to learn about the new weapons and modern fighting." Joshua leaned forward to touch Stephen's shoulder. "Excuse us, Chi, the Teacher wants to talk to Stephen and me."
    Bak stood as the two young men approached. He rolled his shoulders back and filled his lungs. "My students, you have exceeded all requirements. Today it is my honor to proclaim you true Shan. As a symbol of your accomplishment I bestow these."
    The old Horseman held out two brass bracelets. "The metal was taken from bullet casings and made pure by fire," he said. "Soil of the Ri and blood from this Horseman were added to the molten metal, as was the hair of a boar and water from the river. The soil represents the land we hold so dear. The blood represents the people and their toil. The hair of the boar represents the courage and cunning of the forest dwellers you have come to know and respect. The water represents purity and truth. Cooled and shaped, these bands were truly forged in honor, just as you have been over the past four years."
    Bak held a bracelet up and motioned for Stephen to raise his arm. Placing the band around Stephen's right wrist, Bak squeezed it tightly until the ends touched. "This is a symbol of truth and your commitment to the Ri and your people.
    Wear it proudly."
    Facing Joshua, he placed the other bracelet on the young man's wrist and squeezed it as he had done Stephen's.
    "You are not the first foreign-born to wear the symbol of commitment to our land. The Chindit was the first. Like him I have seen your love grow for my homeland and I see in your heart you are a true Shan. This band is a symbol to all that you are committed to truth, the Ri, and the people.
    Wear it proudly."
    Bak placed his hands on the young men's shoulders and stared into the darkness. "I am proud to be called your Teacher. You have made this old man's heart sing this day."
    Shifting his eyes to Stephen and then to Joshua, he squeezed their shoulders and broke into a wry grin. "Tomorrow you begin new lessons. I have much more to teach. But tonight drink zu and talk to the ladies who have come to honor you.
    This night is yours. But remember, tomorrow you are again mine."

    Chapter 6.
    1966 Shaduzup, Burma.
    Sarah couldn't bear to wait on the porch, so she ran out to