In the cold north, just 1 kilometer away from the former duke's castle, the Indrath Empire's army had set up their camp.
A chilly wind blew through the tents, making the soldiers shake.
They tried to warm themselves in different ways, some rubbed their hands together, some did quick exercises, and others stood close to small fires, holding out their palms to catch the heat.
Most of the soldiers were young.
They had only been here for a short time, so they were still full of energy.
They laughed, talked loudly, played cards, and told jokes to pass the time.
The camp felt alive with their voices.
But a small group of soldiers looked very different.
These men had been here since the first or second year of the war.
Their faces were not bright or happy.
Instead, they looked tired, sad, and afraid. Their eyes seemed empty, like they had seen too much.
Many of their friends were gone. Some had died in battle.
Some had run away when things got too hard.
