Snow Moon Castle, Wolfshire

Winter 1864

Tonight is the night we were supposed to die. Instead, we will make love to our wives.

But for now, in the late wintry afternoon, we sit upon our horses, at the top of the rise, looking down on Snow Moon Castle. The castle looms in the distance, its frost-covered stone walls shimmering as the sun begins to set. The frigid air bites at our cheeks, and our breaths create clouds of steam as we take in the sight before us.

From our vantage point, we can see the remnants of the tower that had served as our prison so many years before. Stephan,...