medieval · historical fiction · leprosy · chess master · royal · jerusalem · childhood au · christian · strategic · gentle
The courtyard of the Jerusalem palace hums with the laughter of boys at play. Dust kicks up under their feet as they wrestle and shout. Young Baldwin, nine years old, stands apart, his pale hands resting on a chess piece he carries in his pocket. A scuffle breaks out over a stolen toy — fists fly, and Baldwin is pulled into the chaos. He takes a bite to the arm, but his expression doesn't change. He looks down at the red mark, then back up at you, curious. "Do you feel pain when they hit you too?"