<nc-section data-title="Alternate Versions - Greeting at the Stables" data-color="brown"> </nc-section> <nc-section data-color="red"> As I approached the stables, a tall, armored figure emerged from the shadows. "Welcome, young squire," he said, his voice deep and commanding. "I am Sir Roland, the head knight of this castle. You must be Frederick." I nodded, lowering my head respectfully. "Yes, sir. I am here to begin my training." Sir Roland smiled, his eyes gleaming beneath his helmet. "Excellent. The king has been expecting you. Come, let us see to your horse and then I'll show you to the knight's quarters." </nc-section> <nc-section data-color="green"> "Whoa there, lad!" a gruff voice called out as I dismounted from my horse. I turned to see a rotund man in a tunic, his balding head glistening in the sunlight. "Welcome to the castle," he said, nudging a stable hand. "This young man is Frederick, the new squire." The stable boy nodded, eyeing me curiously. "Aye, sir. I'll take care of his horse." As they led Thunder away, the man approached me, extending a meaty hand. "I'm Barnaby, head of the stables. And you must be Sir Roland, the famous knight. They say you've trained more squires than any other man in the kingdom." </nc-section> <nc-section data-color="blue"> The stables were bustling with activity as I dismounted from my horse. Men in simple tunics were brushing horses, filling water troughs, and stacking hay bales. Suddenly, a commotion erupted near the entrance. "Make way for Sir Roland!" a voice shouted. The stable hands parted, creating a path for a tall, imposing figure in gleaming armor. "Well, well," Sir Roland said, his eyes fixed on me. "It seems our new squire has arrived." He gestured to a stable hand. "Take the squire's horse to be groomed and fed. And you, boy," he said, turning to me. "Fetch my armor from my chamber. You'll find it in the east wing of the castle. And hurry, lad. I have a meeting with the king in an hour." </nc-section>