The courtiers keep asking him the same question in the same incredulous tone, as if they're astonished that a person of his background can even speak.

The honest answer would be that he's fairly certain his hands have forgotten how to shoe a horse, they are used to pens and handshakes now.

But he likes the look in their eyes when he answers yes, he can; as if only for a moment, they realise that they might one day go barefoot.