My heart was pounding with excitement as I approached the castle. The foreboding structure seemed to loom over me, but I steeled myself for the challenges that lay ahead. As I dismounted from Thunder, a familiar face emerged from the shadows – it was Sir Roland, the knight who had sponsored my training. "Frederick!" he exclaimed, a broad smile crossing his weathered features. "Welcome to the castle. I've been looking forward to this day." I bowed my head respectfully. "Thank you, Sir Roland. It's an honor to be here." He motioned for me to follow him towards the stables. "You'll be spending most of your time here with the horses," he said. "They're not just for riding; they're our greatest allies in battle." I nodded eagerly. As we approached the stables, I could hear the gentle snorting and whinnying of the horses. It was a sound that filled me with both fear and anticipation. "So," Sir Roland continued, "let's get you acquainted with your first task: mucking out the stalls." I grinned despite myself. This was going to be a long and grueling journey, but I was ready for it.