[center][h2][b]The Tsardom of Radena[/b][/h2][/center]
[center][b]1901[/b][/center]

[center][h3][b]The Blizzard of 1901[/b][/h3][/center]
The morning hours had been long, cruel, and gruesome. Frightening temperatures had persisted throughout the month, catching most within the small town by surprise. Rations and blankets spread thin and outside aid from the capital had arrived two weeks too late. Most whom were susceptible to the fearsome blizzards that Dachne had faced, had long since perished nearly a week ago. 

One of whom was Yegor’s mother, an elderly woman in her late seventies. She had lived through both him and his brother marching off into separate wars, her only daughter Katenka dying six months into childhood, and her only husband Leontiy collapsing dead three streets over near a small bar called the Chernyy Almaz, the doctors believing it to be a rare heart disease. Now it was her turn to be put to rest, a tired soul who only wished to be free of her memories. She had gone peacefully in her sleep just three days ago, and only now had the storm letup enough for her to receive a proper burial.

“For now we lay these unfortunate souls to rest, may they forever be with the ones whom they loved dearly in the afterlife. Now and always will we remember them for the things they had done, the people who they cared for, and the cherished memories that they bring. Let us all gather in silence.” All who had gathered begun to respectfully mourn. Soft whimpers could be heard throughout the crowd. Twelve people had perished this long and drawn out winter, many praying to god for it to soon be over. That his merciful and loving light grace the town of Dachne once more.

Yegor sat quietly. He had no wife, no child, no family to speak of. The winter putting to rest the last person whom he cared deeply for. Laid to rest in a hurriedly made grave, the tombstone marking nothing but her name. “Anya Stanislavovna” it read, the text already faded from the shoddy craftsmanship. His eyes sank into what had for the time being felt to be a pit of despair. The cruel reality had placed him lonelier than ever before.