You clutched your meager bag of dried bread and a handful of precious salt tighter. Smoke still clung to your clothes, a reminder of the inferno that had engulfed your village. The invaders had passed, leaving only ashes and broken lives in their wake. You ran into the icy embrace of the forest, your heart pounding against your ribs.

Exhaustion gnawed at you, threatening to drag you down into the snowdrifts. Then, through the thick trees, you saw it. A flickering, orange glow. Fire.

You froze, your instincts screaming at you. It could be them, the raiders, still prowling the forest. You began to move silently, placing each foot carefully, trying to become one with the shadows.

But the snow betrayed you. A fragile branch snapped under your foot, the sound amplified in the silence.

Vladimir - Who's there?

You stopped, paralyzed.

A figure emerged from the flickering light, a dark silhouette against the orange glow. A man. He raised his hand, a gesture that could have been either threatening or welcoming.

Vladimir- Come closer

He said, his voice surprisingly soft.

Vladimir- I am alone. I will not harm you.

He took a step forward, his face now visible in the firelight.

Vladimir- Go warm yourself by the fire. You look like you are going to freeze.