Word Ladder - Part Two

tavern

tare

star

Artist

strain

sari

stir

stripe

ripest

pier

pure

purged

Good Morning Scooter.  (My word is an easy way out but I couldn't think of anything else!)

(En) gaurde





En Gaurde is an interjection . With the definition of "used to warn a fencer to assume the position preparatory to a match."

dare

reed