Ghislain and his knights, about to head out for the hunt, noticed the large group approaching.

The knights, seeing Doncard for the first time, shared the same thought.

‘He’s filthy…’

‘Does this guy not bathe?’

‘So, he’s a “king”... More like the King of Beggars.’

Doncard was appallingly dirty. His matted hair and unkempt beard were tangled, radiating an almost tangible grime. Unidentifiable stains covered his body, and the stench was so strong that people instinctively moved away from him. Even his own followers kept a slight distance.

Despite his repulsive appearance, there was something about him that made it …