<nc-section data-title="Version 1: A Stern Welcome" data-color="red"> As I dismounted near the stables, a towering figure emerged from the shadows. Sir Roland, the castle's master-at-arms, stood with arms crossed, his scarred face etched with disapproval. His armor bore the marks of countless battles, and his grey eyes assessed me with the cold precision of a man who had seen too many eager young squires fail. "You're late," he growled, his voice like gravel scraping stone. "I expected you at noon. The Dragon Knights have no use for those who cannot keep time." He turned sharply, his cape snapping in the wind. "Stable your horse yourself. If you wish to earn your place here, boy, you'll start by learning that nothing is given freely in these walls." </nc-section> <nc-section data-title="Version 2: A Warm Reception" data-color="green"> A hearty laugh rang out as I approached the stables. Sir Roland, a broad-shouldered knight with a salt-and-pepper beard, strode forward with open arms. "Frederick! Welcome, lad!" His weathered face crinkled with genuine warmth as he clapped me on the shoulder with surprising gentleness for a man of his size. "Your father spoke highly of you in his letters. Any son of Marcus is a brother to me." He took Thunder's reins with practiced ease. "Come, let me show you to the stables. This fine beast deserves the best stall we have. Tomorrow, your training begins, but tonight—tonight we feast! The castle has been too quiet without fresh blood to stir things up." </nc-section> <nc-section data-title="Version 3: A Mysterious Encounter" data-color="blue"> The stables were quieter than I expected. I led Thunder toward an empty stall when I noticed him—a knight standing perfectly still in the doorway, silhouetted against the dying light. Sir Roland. They said he was the last knight to have actually seen a dragon and lived. "Frederick." He spoke my name as if tasting it, testing its weight. His eyes, one blue and one grey, studied me with an intensity that made my skin prickle. "You have your mother's eyes. That's good. You'll need her sight for what's coming." He stepped forward, and I noticed a strange pendant around his neck—a dragon scale that shimmered with an inner light. "Tell me, boy. Do you dream?" The question hung in the air like smoke. </nc-section>