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_ Forging Rust _

by Reserved Rodent

co-authored with AJH

Chapter Two

Stepping inside Rust's Guard

Rust gave the lynx a nod before turning to the armor racks. The young rat knelt to pull out oil and a cloth for treating leather first. Cleaning and treating each strap on each plate also allowed the Squire to note where the metal had gained dents that needed to be hammered out.

Lord Chase watched his Squire work while quietly refreshing himself from a bowl and jug nearby. The feline's eyes studied the rodent's curves and lean body. "I picked a good Squire from that town market," he commented as Rust put away the oil and hung the cloth up to air out.

"Thank you, sir. I am honored to be given this chance." Rust focused on hammering out the dent the rhino's club had put in his lord's breastplate.

"Tell me about yourself, Squire. Where were you born?" Chase smiled softly and shook his head as he watched the rodent work. "Funny. In the three weeks since I bought you, I've never asked."

The back of his paw rubbing the sweat from his brow, Rust shrugged as he examined the breastplate's refined shape. "Not much to say. I was born out on one of the many farms in Lord Thunder's estate." Seeing the need for a few more adjustments, the hammer goes into play again while the Squire continues his answer.

"While the family worked hard and made the land profitable, father was responsible for the best producing land for the lord. The share we got to keep just wasn't enough to feed our big family. Most of my older siblings had left before me, and when I got old enough, I knew I had to go elsewhere to not be a burden to the rest of my family. Father had his heirs. Lord Thunder had selected several siblings to handle other farms. There was no room for me there."

Running a paw over the work he'd done to smooth the large dent, Rust shook his head and began making a few more adjustments. "I didn't want to be a bandit. I know a lot of young men think that's an easy way of life, but my family knew better. We were raised to support the lands, not take from them. We were raided from time to time so know how they burden their victims as well as the country as a whole. I hated the raiders. I had also seen so many of them cut down, so it was not an appealing lifestyle in any way."

The Knight grunted. "If you did not like the bandits, did the guard or army appeal to you?"

The rat shook his head. "I had some siblings in the local guard and one who joined the army. I knew it was a path that could bring a good life with hard work, but despite understanding that banditry was not an easy life, at the time I needed to leave the farm, I still believed there had to be an easy way somewhere. As a country rat, I assumed that the city had to be a better place to make my way in the world." Finally satisfied with the breastplate, Rust set it back on the rack to be polished later before taking up one of his mentor's gauntlets.

Rising from the chair, Chase joined his Squire at the racks. "A story I'm all too familiar with," the lynx said as he picked up his other gauntlet and started beating it into shape. While he worked, the Knight's tail coiled around his Squires neck, slowly.

Flicking his ears, Rust did his best to ignore the tail and continue both his work and his story. "I had thought it would be easy to get work in the city. I was a hard worker, strong and optimistic. I could be friendly with other furs. What I didn't take into account was how many other furs would be looking for jobs who were already a part of the community. There were a few shops that gave me temporary work, but the big break I expected never showed up."

The Knight nodded as both furs continued to work. His tail remained lightly curled around Rust's neck.

"I did good work. Several folks wished they could give me a permanent position, but none were able. I was surviving. Staying alive. Not as bad of as some, but also making enemies. With so little to my name, I was around those with even less. There wasn't anywhere else I could afford to stay. They thought I needed to take advantage of those who gave me a chance, and I refused to do so for them. They started to actively seek to harm me."

Rust's eyes were fixed on the floor of the tent.

The Knight flexed his paw in the gauntlet, then grunted and began working on it again. "I see..."

The Squire shook his head. "I don't know which one of the bastards did it, but after I thoroughly thumped the badger that cornered me in an alley, someone set me up. Stolen merchandise was planted where I slept and the constables were called. I was arrested, found guilty and sold to pay the fines."

Chuckling, Chase loosened his tail from his Squire's neck. "And here you are."

Nodding, the rat rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah, a Squire. I... I never imagined this life was possible. It still seems a dream. Why did you buy me? I've heard there are lots who would be proud if you had chosen their son."

"There was something about you," Chase said as he continued working on his gauntlet. "When I walked the cages, you were one of the only furs to stare back, no weakness in your eyes."

Looking over at the lynx, Rust's whiskers twitched. "I wanted to meet my fate on my own terms. It's why I had all the whip marks. That's not how I was supposed to act as a slave."

The Knight walked over to the weapons rack and looked over his armaments. "Mm. Yes. I registered my... displeasure at your treatment..."

Rust's ears perked up as he grabbed the polish. "You did?"

Chase nodded, not looking back at the almost naked rat with his scared back. "He... learned his lesson well. I'm not a vindictive man, but I will not stand for that."

Ears folding down, the Squire frowned. "But... didn't he have every right to discipline me?"

"You do not flog what you own. Ever. I have punished my own men for mistreating their Squires and servants. Never must that happen." The Knight picked up his broadsword, testing the balance.

Eyes watching his mentor, Rust nodded. "Beatings do not work with livestock... I mean they do work, but not well. You get better results when..." Ears twitching, the rat chuckled. "Sorry. You know all this I'm sure."

The lynx set the broadsword back and picked up two wooden practice swords. "I think it's time for a little more practice."

"Yes, sir." the Squire rolled his shoulder, moving towards his mentor.

Chase gave a sharp toothed grin. "First one to disarm the other gains a forfeit from the loser." The lynx tossed a practice sword to the rat, who caught it easily.

Spinning the wooden sword to check its balance, Rust nodded. "Okay. Disarm you or owe you a forfeit." The Squire assumed a guarded stance.

Smiling broadly at the smaller male, Chase seemed impressed with the rat. "Remember what I told you. If you're to protect me, you need to..." The feline lunged with two overhead blows. "Be aware!"

The wooden swords clacked as Rust blocked the first blow. While the force staggered him, he was prepared and rolled out of the way of the second. Springing back to his feet, the rodent attempted to surprise his mentor with an attack from the new direction.

Chase barked a laugh as he blocked the attack, then stepped in with two side sweeps and an attempt to strike with the weapon's wooden pommel. "Good, Squire! Good!"

With surprising agility, the rat leapt over the first sweep, blocking the second. One paw caught the feline's arm, lessening the force of the pommel hit. Rust grunted from the impact of that blow, but held on, swinging his own weapon to try and strike the feline's hand.

A well practiced twist of his arm freed Chase from his Squire's grip. The Knight stepped inside the rat's guard with a series of thrusts and wide chops, trying to force the smaller fur into a position open to a disarming strike. "Force... me... to... defend!" the feline growled.

Hard pressed to protect himself from the assault, Rust managed to keep his guard up. Other than a few easily blocked swings, he failed to find a way to reverse the momentum of the fight. The rat's ears pressed flat against his skull and sweat now matted his bare fur. During an aggressive swing from the lynx, the rat dropped under the blow to kick at his attacker's leg, trying to break the Knight's momentum.

Chase failed to predict the leg sweep, losing his balance and stumbling back a step, his sword high in defense. "Ow! Shit!" Chase laughs. "Good!"

The rodent started a furious assault on his mentor, though to the Knight's experienced eye, he could see the toll that the long defense - followed by this attack - had taken from his Squire's speed.

Stepping inside Rust's guard again, Chase rapped the blade over the rat's wrist, loosening his grip for the follow-up to send the Squire's weapon tumbling.

"Ow! Crap!" Rust said, shaking his arm as the wooden blade clattered on the ground.

Chase spun his own blade twice as he stepped back. "Best mind your tongue in the presence of a Knight, Squire." The lynx winked, letting Rust know he jested.

The rat's ears reddened as he grinned. "I'm sorry, sir. I will try to be more Knightly and use 'shit' like you did."

The feline laughed heartily. "Well, you're in training. I can't expect you to know all the parlance."

Excellent bout." Chase gave another wink, then stood straight, looking straight at his Squire. "Excellent bout."

Rust flexed his fingers. "Thank you, sir. I wasn't excellent enough to win, though."

Chase smiled as he put the practice blades away. "You've learned fast."

"I wasn't sure the kick was allowed, but it worked okay in the streets... I am used to avoiding trouble, not attacking. I know, from the battles against enemies earlier, I can attack.... it was odd attacking you. Trying to disarm was different too."

The Knight nodded gently, sitting down in his chair again, wiping the sweat from his furred jaw, eyes still on his Squire. "Anything goes in war, Squire. But remember, it's harder to kick in armor."

"I'm aware of that. One of the costs for the extra protection - I'm not as maneuverable. But since we were out of the armor, I figured I would use what I knew."

"Good for you." Chase smiled playfully. "Now, I won, so what should be your forfeit?"

"It's your choice, sir. Whatever it is, I'll pay it."

The big lynx blushed slightly, then shook his head. "Maybe soon, Squire. Maybe."

Rust's tail flicked. "Um? I'm not sure I understand. What have you decided, sir?"

"I've decided..." Chase said, standing and stepping close to his Squire. The feline leaned in to sniff at the rat's neck. Rust remained still. "That I respect you, my Squire, and will wait, for now. Go get us some food."

"Yes sir." Confused, but hiding it well, Rust turned and left the tent obediently, pausing once outside for his eyes to adjust to the bright sunlight. A light breeze ruffled his sweat damp fur.

The camp was busy. Warriors and Squires wandered to and fro. One, a young fox Squire, paused nearby and smiled at the almost naked rat. "Hail!"

"Hail and well met," Rust replied with a smile of his own. "The mess tent is this direction, right?"

The fox nodded, still smiling. "You're serving Lord Chase?"

"Aye, that I am."

The rat started walking, with the fox following after him.

"What's he like? Last Squire he had went on to earn a Knighthood of his own!"

"He's a good teacher. He deserved the respect of his title and fights very well. His lessons are hard." Rust flexed his still aching fingers, trying to relieve the ache in their knuckles. "But I'm leaning from them."

"Kinda... kinda sexy too...isn't he?" The fox blushed.

Ears growing hot and bright red, Rust paused, fearing he might stumble from the surprise of the other Squire's question. "He is very strong and handsome."

Also coming to a stop, the blushing fox held out a paw. "I'm... I'm Sid, by the way."

Smiling, the rat took the offered paw. "I'm Rust."

Giggling, Sid smiled back. "See you soon, Rusty. I need to go serve my lord."

Without further word, the young fox scurried away, back the way they had come from.

"Until then, Sid." Rust watched him go a moment before turning back to finish his own journey.

The mess tent, when Rust reached it, was still busy serving lunch. The Squire got in line and grabbed a full meal, heaped with cuts of meat and accompanied by bread and cheese for Chase. Using both hands to keep the platter steady, the rat used his tail to grab an apple and a hunk of cheese as well before heading back.

The steamy aroma of the fresh cooked meat caused Rust to lick his lips several times during the walk back. More than one warrior walking by decided it was time for lunch seeing the meal the rat carried for his lord.

Stepping back into the tent, Rust allowed his eyes to adjust back to the darker interior. Lord Chase was quickly revealed to be sitting in his chair, footpaws up on a low table while he read from a book. The lynx still wore nothing more than his loincloth and was still a little sweaty from the earlier bout.

Rust took the plate to the large table beside where the Knight sat, setting it down within easy reach.

Chase smiled as he marked his place in the book before setting it aside and focusing on the plate. "My thanks, Squire. You did get yourself some too?"

With a nod, the rat revealed the apple and cheese he grabbed earlier.

Sitting forward, the Knight gestured to a chair opposite him. "No, boy. You're a lord's Squire now. Come, share my meal. You don't eat scraps any more."

"Yes, sir. I had just kind of assumed that I ate alone. If it makes a difference, this is more cheese than I have had in a long time, so I was... well... pretty excited." The rodent blushed a little at such a small pleasure.

Chase smiled and shook his head as Rust sat.

The pair proceeded to share the meal, the scents of the day ripe in the tent's warmth.