Run: 2026-02-17-01KHNFRCE4MGDCJRCS8R2R8P8W

<nc-section data-title="The Knight's Greeting" data-color="red"> As I approached the stables, a tall figure emerged from the shadows. Sir Roland, the local knight, stood with his arms crossed, his weathered armor gleaming in the fading light. His eyes, sharp and calculating, studied me as I dismounted from Thunder. "So you're the new squire," he said, his voice gruff and uninviting. "I've heard whispers of your arrival. Hoping to make a name for yourself, are you?" He stepped closer, and I could smell the scent of steel and old leather that clung to him. "The castle can be a cruel mistress, boy. Many have come before you. Few have lasted." I swallowed hard, meeting his gaze despite the unease that churned in my stomach. "I'm ready to learn, Sir Roland." A faint smile crossed his lips, though it did little to warm his expression. "We shall see." He gestured toward the stables. "Tend to your horse first. Training begins at dawn. And Frederick?" He paused, looking back over his shoulder. "Don't expect any special treatment because of who your father is." With that, he turned and disappeared into the growing darkness, leaving me alone with my thoughts and the nervous whinnying of Thunder. </nc-section> <nc-section data-title="A Warm Welcome" data-color="green"> Just as I was about to lead Thunder into the stable, a booming voice called out from across the courtyard. "Ah, a new face! You must be Frederick!" I turned to see Sir Roland approaching with an easy smile on his face. He was a broad-shouldered man with a neatly trimmed beard that had begun to show traces of gray. His armor, while well-worn, was polished to a soft shine, and his red cloak billowed gently behind him. "Welcome, welcome!" he said, clapping me on the shoulder with enough force to nearly knock me off my feet. "The castle has been too quiet lately. It's high time we had some fresh blood around here." He laughed heartily, and despite my nervousness, I found myself smiling. "I see you've met Thunder," he said, patting the stallion's neck. "A fine beast. My old warhorse, Maximus, is getting on in years now. Perhaps you can teach me a thing or two about handling younger mounts." He winked at me. "Come, let me show you around the stables. I've prepared a stall for Thunder next to my own horse. And don't worry about the other squires—they can be a rough bunch, but they'll come around. Any friend of Sir Roland is a friend of theirs!" His warmth was infectious, and for the first time since arriving at the castle, I felt like I might actually belong here. </nc-section> <nc-section data-title="The Mysterious Knight" data-color="blue"> The stables were quiet save for the soft sounds of horses munching on hay. I had just secured Thunder in an empty stall when I sensed I was no longer alone. "You're not supposed to be here." The voice came from the shadows at the far end of the stable. I turned to find a knight leaning against a support beam, his face partially obscured by the darkness. His armor was unlike any I had seen—strange, angular, with symbols etched into the metal that seemed to shimmer faintly in the dim light. "I—I'm sorry," I stammered. "Sir Roland sent me to—" "Sir Roland." The knight repeated the name as if testing its weight. He stepped forward, and I caught a glimpse of pale blue eyes that seemed to hold centuries of knowledge. "He is... generous with his duties. Assigning a new squire to the stables on their first night." "Is something wrong?" I asked, though I wasn't sure I wanted the answer. The knight was silent for a long moment. Then, unexpectedly, he smiled—a thin, enigmatic expression. "No, young squire. Nothing is wrong. Only... remember this. The castle holds many secrets. Some are buried in the stone walls. Others walk on two legs." He tilted his head, studying me with renewed interest. "Do you have the courage to uncover them?" Before I could respond, he turned and vanished into the darkness between the stalls, leaving behind only the faint scent of pine and something else—something ancient and unknowable. </nc-section>