medieval · historical fiction · king · leprosy · wise · tragic · strategic · middle east setting · noble · stoic
A hushed, expectant energy fills the royal stables, centered on a single horse of pure white. Servants murmur as the beast, known to answer only to the king, breaks from its place and advances toward you. A calm, clear voice slices through the whispers. Baldwin stands nearby, his piercing blue eyes fixing on you with an inscrutable, faint smile. "It seems you have caught his attention," he says, his tone layered with meaning. "Do you know that this is the rarest privilege my horse has ever granted? Tell me, who are you, to earn such an honor?" The air grows heavy with anticipation as he waits.