This chapter officially kicks off Phase 2 of the Iron Knight saga.

The next few chapters are all about the first adventure that Tony and Pepper have together.

Hope you like it!

JanSavv - thanks for your comment...


Tony took Pepper's training seriously. In her first class, he gave her a wooden training sword and a small round shield.

Every morning, from 8 to 11, they would train in the yard. They started with simple sword techniques, blocking, thrusting etc. He dug up a straw dummy from the workshop. After a week, she progressed to sword maneuvers.

Watching her move through the routines, Tony was impressed. She's an eager student and thorough at what she learns. I love her enthusiasm, I never expected it in one as ladylike as her.

Pepper swung her sword at the dummy with the correct form, making a deep slit in its belly. She heard the sound of applause. Jarvis and Magdalene had entered the yard quietly and seen her perform the routine. Tony came over to her, clapping hard, grinning at her with admiration.

"Well done, squire!" he exclaimed and patted her hard on the back. She nearly lost her balance but quickly recovered and smiled.

Her next challenge: sparring with Tony himself.

X-x-x

Winter was coming to an end and Tony was content. The snow was melting and he had made some significant improvements to his armor. He was also pleased with his pupil's progress. He never expected that taking someone under his wing, could give him so much satisfaction.

Teaching Pepper had filled him with a new sense of purpose. He felt as if he had fulfilled some part of his duty to his own mentor, Yin Sen, in some small way. While Pepper was not a master of the sword yet, she was no longer defenseless.

He was also happy with their growing friendship. It felt funny to be friends with a woman. He was used to being around women for a singular reason: bedding them. Once the pleasure was had, he left. But Pepper, there was something about her. Yes, he was attracted to her... very attracted. But he valued her company, her wit and her opinions, immensely.

One night, he and Pepper went on a nightly ride to the lake. They stopped on the hill near the lake, admiring the moonlit landscape, in a companionable silence.

He glanced at her as she bent in the saddle to pet Buttercup. Her health had improved significantly over the last few weeks. She was no longer starved and waif-like but had started to fill out in a most attractive manner. Her eyes had lost their dark circles. She was not defensive or nervous and was confident in her surroundings.

When she straightened and looked at him smiling, he was struck anew by how beautiful she was.

My redheaded lady, I humbly thank whichever god sent you to me.

The dragon huffed at this. Tony reached into his pocket and pulled out a wild rose. He silently offered it to Pepper. She took the rose and sniffed it deeply. Then she looked at him tenderly, her eyes bright with happiness.

"Thank you, Tony... I've not seen a wild rose in a very long time."

I plucked the flower, thinking how it resembled you. Your blooming in the face of adversity. Your interesting contrast of thorns and delicateness, of strength and softness. How rare a flower you are, in this barren land of snow.

But he couldn't tell her this. He was determined to take things slow. He did not want to break the good relationship they had.

I want her, yes, who wouldn't? But for the first time in forever, I want more than just a roll in the hay. I want her admiration. I want her friendship.

She was going to say something when a loud yell disturbed the silence of the night.

X-x-x

The sound startled Pepper and Tony.

"What was that?" She asked.

They couldn't see anything clearly in the distance but they could hear the sound of horses and men shouting. The noise was coming from the east of the lake.

Pepper tensed and was going to urge Buttercup forward when Tony gently halted her.

"Remember your training. We can't go charging in there. We need to assess the situation."

"Right, right, we dismount and see what's going on from afar. Then we decide what to do." .

He nodded and they dismounted, then they both silently crept down the hill and towards the noise.