Miguel was sitting in his office, surrounded by a pile of old documents he had retrieved from the former baron's archives. The fireplace crackled softly, casting dancing shadows on the walls as he skimmed through the yellowed pages. A glass of wine rested in his right hand, almost empty, and he occasionally raised it to take small sips, trying to ease the tension pressing on his chest.
The documents he was reading discussed the climate and seasons in Drakmoor and throughout the duchy. It was something he hadn’t paid much attention to until now. He had always been more focused on survival and managing the realm, but now, with the relentless cold taking lives, he felt compelled to understand the environment he was in better.
Suddenly, something caught his attention. He stopped reading and widened his eyes. “Two years?” he murmured to himself, almost incredulous. The document indicated that, on average, winter in this region lasted up to two full years. Two long seasons of intense cold, constant snow, and short days, where sunlight was almost nonexistent.
Miguel leaned back in his chair, still absorbing the information. He knew winter was harsh, but two years? He hadn’t imagined that the climate in this world could be so extreme. He raised the glass of wine to his lips and took a large gulp, feeling the bitter liquid slide down his throat as he tried to process this new revelation.
He then got up and walked to the window. Outside, the wind was whistling softly, carrying with it small flakes of snow that fell incessantly. The city was covered in a white blanket, the streets nearly deserted as people sought refuge from the cold inside their homes. Miguel looked up at the sky, and there it was: this world’s moon, with its peculiar ring surrounding it, glowing softly in the dark firmament. Every time he looked at this moon, he felt even further away from Earth, from his old life. Everything here was strange and different, and now he understood that even the climate followed its own rules.
The ring around the moon intrigued him. He didn’t know much about the geology or astronomy of this world, but he had always suspected that this ring of rocks or ice had something to do with the extreme weather cycles. Perhaps what caused these prolonged winters was beyond common understanding. But at the same time, he knew it was something he had to deal with. Two years of winter meant two years of constant struggle against the cold, hunger, and death.
Miguel ran a hand over his face, trying to organize his thoughts. He felt the need to understand more about this world, about what surrounded him and how he could predict what was to come. Maybe there was some clue in the old documents, something about how the previous barons faced such long winters. But for now, all he knew was that the challenge ahead was greater than he had imagined.
With a heavy sigh, Miguel returned to the table, refilled the wine glass, and looked at the papers before him. Time was running out. He needed to find a way to keep his people safe during this endless winter. As the fire burned in the background, he prepared himself for the difficult battle that lay ahead, not against men or armies, but against the very nature of this cold and unforgiving world.
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A year had passed since Miguel began facing the harsh winter that seemed endless. He was sitting in his office, looking at the plans for the new houses he had been carefully designing. Dark circles marked his face deeply, and his grown, unkempt beard was a reflection of how exhausting that year had been. The city of Drakmoor, now partially covered in snow, was transforming. Even amidst the pain and losses, progress was visible on every corner.
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Unfortunately, not all the hard work was enough to prevent tragedies. The relentless cold had claimed the lives of 80 people over the year. Miguel couldn’t shake off the weight of responsibility he felt. Although hunger was no longer an immediate threat, the issue of the cold seemed more complicated than any battle he had faced before. The chimneys he had designed were installed in almost every house, but for many, it wasn’t enough. Even with doubled efforts, the extreme temperatures had defeated some families.
Still, there were advances. The brick roads Miguel had dreamed of were 60% complete, connecting much of the city and providing a safe and stable route, even under the snow. Each meter of road was a victory against the hostile terrain and the challenges the winter presented. But these roads weren’t just transport routes; they were also symbols of hope, that the future could be better for everyone living in Drakmoor.
Miguel had devoted himself intensely to the new house designs. He knew the chimneys were a temporary solution and that he needed something more permanent. Inspired by the old Roman style, he designed homes that could withstand the prolonged winter and retain heat longer. These houses used the **hypocaust** method, an underground heating system that channeled hot air through small chambers under the floor and into the walls. The fire would be lit in a special room, and the heat would spread throughout the house, providing a comfortable environment, even on the coldest nights.
The walls were made of special bricks, crafted with the improved concrete Miguel had developed. They were thicker, designed to retain heat longer. Additionally, he decided to use small amounts of glass to create windows, allowing natural light to enter during the day, something essential in a winter that seemed eternal. Every detail had been thought out precisely. The height of the ceilings, the location of the fireplaces, even the orientation of the houses in relation to the sun had been calculated to maximize heat retention.
Miguel sighed as he looked at the final sketch of these houses. He knew he wouldn’t be able to build them all immediately, but he had already started constructing the first ones for the most needy families. As resources became available, he planned to expand the project to the entire city and eventually to the surrounding villages. Even so, the cold was a formidable enemy, and the losses still echoed in his mind.
Moreover, the kingdom's politics had changed significantly in recent months. His sister Amelia had returned with unexpected news: two neighboring baronies, also neglected by the kingdom of Ardia and the duchy, had decided to join the kingdom of Drakmoor. The leaders of these baronies, tired of oppression and abandonment, saw in Miguel and his actions an example of governance. They believed that, under his rule, they had a chance to prosper.
Miguel was surprised by this turn of events. Although he knew other baronies were dissatisfied with the duchy and the kingdom, he hadn’t imagined that anyone would risk joining him so soon. The meeting with the leaders was scheduled for a few days, and he knew he would need all his political cunning to ensure that this alliance was solid and beneficial for all. Amelia's achievements showed that she, like him, had matured greatly. The pain, betrayal, and bloodshed of the past years had transformed them into leaders, shaped by adversity.
As he thought about what was to come, Miguel felt the weight of the past months accumulate on his shoulders. He was tired. Much more tired than he had ever been. His body ached, and his mind felt exhausted. He looked at the glass of wine on his desk, which had accompanied him every night. This year had changed him. He was no longer the inexperienced young man who had been thrown into this world. Now, he was a king, with battle scars and the weight of responsibility etched into every line of his face. Despite this, he knew he had to continue, for the sake of his people.
Besides the political issues and construction projects, another new development had emerged recently: Lysandra, the stealthy fox, had begun training the young mage Lila. It had only been two weeks since the training started, but it was already clear that Lysandra possessed vast knowledge, not only in magic but also in the art of stealth and espionage. She was teaching Lila not only to control her magical abilities but also to be agile, silent, and to observe and analyze her surroundings. Miguel was intrigued by Lila's progress, which showed surprising determination for such a young girl.
The relationship between the two was deepening. Lysandra saw in Lila an untapped potential, something that could be used not only to protect Drakmoor but to change the course of future battles. And Miguel, though wary of Lysandra's somewhat reserved nature, knew he could trust her, just as he had during previous battles.
As winter advanced, Drakmoor endured. The deaths from the cold still haunted Miguel, but he knew he was doing everything he could to protect those under his care. The houses, the roads, the political alliances — everything was being shaped so that Drakmoor could emerge as a strong and independent kingdom.
Miguel looked at his reflection in the window. His thick beard and tired eyes showed how much he had changed. The man now staring back at him was not the same who arrived in this world. He knew the journey was far from over, but at least now, he had something to fight for.