Velinsk – Around Midnight
The night was bitter and still.
Inside the dimly lit office, General Nikolai sat at his desk, his face half-shadowed by the soft glow of the candle beside him. The air was cold, creeping in through the cracks in the window, but he didn't seem to notice. He had been sitting there for hours, reading through papers, scanning names, updates, and maps. His back was stiff. His eyes tired.
A soldier stood across from him, his voice quiet and respectful as he gave a report of the patrol. "Nothing suspicious near the northern wall, sir. Just deer tracks, and one of the towers needs repair."
Nikolai didn't lift his head. He nodded slowly, still reading. "We'll send men to the tower in the morning."
But then—flutter. A soft sound, gentle but clear, broke through the silence. Both men looked toward the window.
A pigeon had flown in and landed neatly on the bird rail.
