Chapter Two
Rusty bit down on the rope, snapping it in half with his teeth before looking down to admire his work. Leaping to his feet, he rose the sword high above his head, pointing the tip at the sky. He had all day hacking at the tree, and sharpening the wood. He had forged his blade. Now he was a true knight.
"For Thunderforge!" he shouted. High above him, the sun shown brightly, basking him in its warm rays. He didn't have time to enjoy the weather for long, as his heart nearly popped out of his chest, the realization of how late it was getting suddenly hitting him. The sun was already nearly at its highest, and if he didn't make it back before noon, he would miss the biggest opportunity of his life.
He ran through the field with all its skinny trees, the wind rustling his short ginger hair. When he finally made it back home, he sprinted upstairs to his room to change. Through there were two stories, his house was a small one. It was actually one part pot shop, one part house, the former being on the first floor. His mother would spend her days molding pots for every occasion and function. Since he was little, Nutmeg had been teaching him and his sister the art of pottery, but she was still much better at it than either of them. She'd even gotten orders from knights.
"Rusty?" his mother called from downstairs. "Where have you been?"
"Just playing!" he returned, his voice muffed through the red tunic he'd pulled over his head. "Did the squire ceremony start yet?"
"Not yet, but it should soon," she said. "Most of town will be there, so I'm going to close up for a few hours."
"Okay," Rusty replied as he hurried back down the stairs. He tied a leather belt in a knot around his waist before looking around the shop. His mother was sitting at the pottery wheel, finishing up a slender necked container. "Where's Penny?" he asked.
"She left with Toby and Cloud a while ago."
"Oh," he muttered back, slightly disappointed. "Are you going to the ceremony?"
"I don't think so, dear," Nutmeg replied, wiping her hands on her apron. "I've already need it many times before. I'll go for a walk I think. Will you be alright on your own?" Rusty nodded, standing up straighter as his mother gave him a kiss. Nutmeg place a hand on his forehead.
"I'm fine, mom!" Rusty insisted. "I wouldn't miss Squire Day two years in a row."
"If you had another fever, you wouldn't have a choice," Nutmeg lectured before smiling. "Take care now, darling. And have fun."
After waving his mother goodbye, Rusty headed down the cobblestone streets, towards the town square. Once he entered the heart of the market district, the street grew more and more crowded, filled with people who had come to see the squire ceremony. Every few years the town would hold one, whenever the children of knights would turn twelve.
"Smudge!" Rusty hissed as he snuck through the crowd and up to a slightly pudgy boy around his age with black hair. The boy was standing beside a large wooden platform with a slip of paper in hand.
"Oh, hey Rusty," he replied with a grin. "They're going to start soon. I'm so excited! Wanna hear my speech?"
"Smudge, I need you to do me a huge favor, ok?" Rusty whispered, leaning closer as the two of them crouched on the ground so that they wouldn't be overheard by the crowd.
"Sure thing. What is it?"
"I need you to add me to the roster."
"What?!" Smudge cried. He sprung to his feet in shock, and Rusty quick put his hand over his friend's mouth.
"Not so loud!" he begged. Smudge batted Rusty's hand away.
"What are you thinking? Impersonating a squire?"
"Please! I'll never ask you for anything ever again," Rusty pleaded. "If I can only pretend for a day or two. Even a couple of hours!" he said. "I want to see the inside of a castle. Meet a real knight up close. Just one peek, and I'll be satisfied."
"We could both get in serious trouble for this," Smudge groaned.
"I'll say it was all my idea."
"It is all your idea," he muttered. "But I don't want you to get in trouble either."
"As long as I get a chance. I don't mind," Rusty assured him.
"Well, what should I say?" Smudge asked, hesitantly.
"Say that I'm Fire, son of Sir Lionheart!" Rusty cried, grinning. He grabbed his wooden sword from his belt and showed it to his friend.
"You do sort of look like him," Smudge admitted, looking at the weapon in awe. He nodded. "Ok. I'll do it."
"You're the best, Smudge. Thank you!"
"Yeah, but you owe me!" He looked through the crowd. "The rest of them are behind the curtains on the other side of the stage. Her Majesty will be here any minute now, so you should get going."
"Right."
"Good luck," Smudge whispered after him.
As Rusty made his way to the opposite end of the stage, he noticed a pair of horses tied to a wooden post. They were young stallions, well muscled and groomed with a small blanket tossed over each of their backs and satchels strapped onto their thighs. He guessed the horse belonged to the squires. His stomach turned as he suddenly got nervous. Only merchants and the wealthy had horses. He was neither. After the ceremony, if the others rode back to the palace, he would be the only one without a horse. Maybe he could say it ran off. He would look like a fool for not tied it up right, but it was the only excuse he had.
Standing at the top of the stairs on the other side of the stage were two boys around Rusty's age. The shorter of the two had broad shoulders, spiky dark gray hair and a confident smile on his face. The taller, was somewhat scrawny, with a head full of black curls. Both stood facing the curtain with wooden swords at their sides.
Rusty ascended the steps and stood beside the shorter of the two who shot him a sideways, curious glance. Rusty flinched as he meet the boy's gaze. He quickly adverted his eyes. Just then, he heard the sound of blaring horns, followed by the clattering of hooves.
"Please welcome, her Majesty, Queen Bluestar!" Smudge announced. A moment later, the curtains parted and Rusty spotted a woman mounted on a black horse, her eyes icy and firm.
Her pale gray hair looked almost blue. It was cut short, and somewhat boyish. She wore a deep blue dress with a tunic and dark leggings underneath. Despite her structured posture and the power behind her gaze, Rusty thought she looked a bit tired. The beginnings of wrinkles weaved around he mouth and under her eyes. Beside her were two men, a handsome, muscular man with a long golden mane and a beard tied in a ponytail, and a dark-skinned man with a strong jaw, amber eyes and an ugly scar across his nose.
Rusty froze. Lionheart. If Smudge announced him to be Lionheart's son, he would be found out right away. He stared at his friend, but Smudge was busy looking at his paper.
"Today, we gather to celebrate the future of our country," Smudge declared. "As per tradition of the four Kingdoms, these young men will train to become the future protectors of our nation. Firstly, Raven, son of Lady Robinwing and Sir Fuzzypelt! May their souls live eternally in the stars." Rusty watched as the curly haired boy stepped forward and pointed his sword in the air, his mouth curling into a slight smile as the power of the pose seemed to revitalize his spirit.
"Next, Gray, son of Sir Smallear!" Rusty gulped. He was next. He stood up straighter as Gray lifted his sword.
"Lastly, Fire, son of Lady Goldenflower!" Rusty smiled. Good thinking!
He stepped forward and raised his sword, just as a violent force struck his hand, causing him to drop his weapon. Instinctively, he reached out to block his attacker's blows, only to find it was Gray. Though he'd only hit him with a wooden blade, his arm stung.
"What are you doing?" Rusty cried, the wood grazing the palm of his hand.
Despite his short stature, his opponent was stronger than he was. He gritted his teeth as Gray kept forcing the blade down on his arms. Just then, an idea popped into his head. It was a long shot, but the only think he could think to do. Side one arm out from under the sword, he pulled back his hand and shocked Gray in the nose.
"Ow!" Gray cried. Rusty picked up his sword, readying himself for a counterattack.
"Enough!" Rusty lowered his sword as the Queen and her knights slid off their horses and ascended the stage. He bit his lip as they looked over him and the two squires.
"Raven," her Majesty said, her voice soft, yet held an undeniable authority. "Your predecessors were strong and loyal knights. I hope you are able to, not only follow in their footsteps, but discover your own path as well." Raven dipped his head at his Queen's words.
"Thank you, Bluestar."
"From this day forth, you will be squire to Sir Tigerclaw. May he pass his strength and determination onto you."
Rusty felt a little tingle as Sir Tigerclaw stepped forward. He'd never seen the legendary warrior up close before, but he'd often heard tales of his bravery and skill. Everyone boasted that he was the greatest swordsman to be found in any of the 4 Kingdoms.
Tigerclaw walked up to his new squire and held out a sword and sheath. Raven lifted his head from his bow and stretched out his arms.
"This blade has passed through the hands of many great warriors. Treat it with respect," Tigerclaw told him as surrendered the blade. Rusty thought he almost sensed reluctance from the seasoned knight.
"Raven! Raven! Raven!" the crowd cheered.
"Gray," Bluestar continued, as the voices of the onlookers died down. "You already possess much energy, and good instincts," she commented glancing at Rusty as she spoke. "Qualities invaluable in a knight. From this day forth, you will be squire to Sir Lionheart. May he teach you the wisdom make use of your spirit." Gray shifted his eyes and looked sheepish, because bowing. Sir Lionheart approached him and handed him a sword.
"I hope we will become friends," he boomed. Gray's eyes lite up and he nodded enthusiastically. Bluestar smiled before shifting her gaze towards Rusty.
"And who are you?" she asked, coldly. Rusty swallowed.
"I-I'm Fire. Son of Lady Gol-"
"Lady Goldenflower's son is five years old," Sir Lionheart interrupted.
"Impersonating the son of a knight is a serious offense," Sir Tigerclaw added, shouldering his way round Lionheart and Bluestar to get a better look at the ginger. "What exactly were you trying to do?"
"I just wanted to become a knight!" Rusty blurted out. "I didn't mean to cause trouble, I swear!"
"You have good reflexes," Bluestar said. Rusty's eyes widened, surprised the Queen would give him such high praise. "Even though Gray is stronger than you, you found a way to defend yourself." Rusty nodded, but was still too startled to say anything. Bluestar reached for her sword, but rather than unsheathe it, she slid a few centimeters of it in and out three times, before letting it rest. "If you're serious about becoming a knight, I shall give you an opportunity to prove yourself."