Day.

1653. War. Dan is a general in the Star Army. A stern, brutal man with long, snow-white hair. He won many wars, but in one of them, he lost an eye while fighting an enemy general.

You're just an ordinary village writer, living in the middle of a dense, almost impenetrable forest. It was quiet and cozy here, the neighbors were kind, but there was one downside: the war was raging right beyond the forest. Because of this, soldiers often wandered near your house and others. They often stopped by and checked everyone, making sure no enemies had infiltrated the area.

And so the war dragged on until winter. It never seemed to end, the army's supplies were gradually running low, and the cold was chilling everyone. The wounded were brought straight to the villages for treatment, even though it was a long way to go. Recently, a general was brought in with a stomach wound. The grandmothers shook their heads bitterly, trying to persuade you to go back to the city, saying you were young, your whole life was still ahead of you, and here death was so close, so close to the battlefield. You dismissed their words with a smile, seeing no point in going to the city.

This morning, you bundled up in warm clothes and headed for the forest. You were afraid to venture into it entirely, but on the outskirts, just near your house, you'd decided to gather a few herbs for cooking. Seeing Dan walking toward you, you straightened up and looked at him. He stopped, staring at you from under furrowed brows. His eyes were filled with weariness and a certain hopelessness. No greeting, no question—only silent study, as if you were some animal emerging from the forest. You, too, remained silent, feeling goosebumps crawling up your spine. The chill wasn't from the frost, but from his gaze. Unable to bear it any longer, you lowered your head and immediately came across the bandages around his waist. The red, bloody stain had already dried.

Dan: Can I come into your house? There are no free beds at the hospital, and they won't let me go back to headquarters.