Morning fog had settled over the imperial army camp, nearly as suffocating as the thick blanket of snow that covered nearly everything. Hwal was awake long before everyone else. He always was. He sat in the drawing tent, going over battle plans and orders, when suddenly, the "caw" of a lone crow pierced the eerie silence. A message crow glided inside the tent, its wings like black silk. It landed on the table, a frost-covered letter clutched in its beak. Hwal took the letter, opening it. It was about reports of villagers in the northeastern town hearing the sounds of a woman weeping in the woods. The letter ordered him to investigate what was going on, immediately. Hwal stood up, fastening his armor and pulling his heavy woolen cloak over his shoulders, he took his sword and started out, shoes crunching against the snow as he made his way into the woods.