Run: 2026-02-24-01KJ8X7ZXCEQP9CRYYWZ6JP1K1

<nc-section data-title="Version 1: Sir Roland's Greeting" data-color="red"> As I dismounted Thunder near the stables, a towering figure emerged from the shadows of the great wooden doors. Sir Roland was a broad-shouldered knight, his armor bearing the scars of a hundred battles. His eyes were sharp as a hawk's, yet a warmth flickered behind them as he approached me with heavy, deliberate strides. "You must be the new squire," he said, his voice like gravel rolling down a hillside. He extended a gauntleted hand, gripping mine with crushing force. "I am Sir Roland. I have broken better men than you, boy — and made legends of the rest." He studied me for a long moment, then allowed himself a thin smile. "We shall see which you become." </nc-section> <nc-section data-title="Version 2: Sir Roland's Greeting" data-color="green"> The stables smelled of hay and leather and something wilder — the scent of adventure, I thought foolishly. A man was there already, brushing down a pale grey destrier with long, careful strokes. He was older than I expected, grey at the temples, with kind lines etched around his eyes. He turned as I approached and set down his brush without any great ceremony. "Frederick," he said simply, as though he had been expecting me for years. "I am Sir Roland." He looked me over slowly, not unkindly. "You've had a long ride. See to your horse first. A knight who neglects his animal neglects his own soul." He handed me a brush. "Then we will talk." </nc-section> <nc-section data-title="Version 3: Sir Roland's Greeting" data-color="blue"> I had barely tied Thunder's reins to the post when I heard the laughter — a great, booming sound that rolled out from behind the stable wall like a thunderclap. Around the corner came Sir Roland, red-faced and grinning, trading jests with one of the stable hands. He was nothing like the solemn warrior I had imagined on the long road here. "Ha! The squire arrives at last!" he bellowed, clapping me on the back so hard I nearly stumbled into the hay. "I lost a silver coin betting you'd arrive tomorrow, lad. You owe me for that." He winked broadly and gestured toward the castle with a sweep of his arm. "Come, come — there is hot food, cold ale, and about a thousand things I need to teach you before sunrise. We waste not a moment here." </nc-section>