Miguel was sitting near the comforting warmth of a campfire inside a cave, where he and his small entourage had decided to take shelter from the biting cold of winter. The crackling of the flames cast dancing shadows on the stone walls, and the smell of burning wood mingled with the frigid night air. The sound of the wind howling outside could be heard, blowing through the trees of the dense forest, as if trying to remind them of the relentlessness of the winter that enveloped the entire kingdom of Drakmoor.

  Miguel, however, was not focused on the elements around him. He was lost in his own thoughts, his gaze fixed on the fire in front of him, but his mind far away. Frustration consumed him. They had been on the journey for nearly two weeks and still hadn’t found the miners they so desperately needed. He had hoped the journey would be more fruitful, that they would quickly find what they were searching for, but so far, each day had proven more disheartening than the last.

  Ricardo, sitting beside Miguel, broke the silence. “Miguel, we’ve been on this journey for almost two weeks. If we don’t find what we need soon, perhaps it’s best to return to Drakmoor,” said Ricardo, his tone a mix of concern and realism.

  Miguel merely nodded in response, his mind still wandering. He knew Ricardo was right. Each passing day took them farther from the capital, and provisions were beginning to run low. Moreover, the mission that had brought them here was not yielding the expected results. They hadn’t found the miners they were looking for, and without them, the search for the vital resources for his projects was becoming an impossible task.

  The villages they had passed through were surviving the winter but were far from thriving. The villagers were surprised to find that the king, Miguel himself, had appeared in their modest lands, bringing with him a glimmer of hope amidst the harshness of winter. However, despite the good conditions and the respect he received, the truth was that his mission remained unfulfilled, and that left him uneasy.

  As he reflected, a soldier approached the fire, holding a bowl of hot soup. “Your Majesty, here is your meal,” said the soldier, handing the bowl to Miguel with a respectful bow.

  Miguel took the bowl, feeling the warmth emanating from the thick liquid in his hands. “Thank you,” he replied, with a slight nod. The soup was simple, made with the few ingredients they had managed to gather, but it was comforting, especially after an exhausting day of travel.

  He looked at the soup, watching the steam rise in spirals in the cold air of the cave. His thoughts returned to the purpose of his journey. Perhaps Ricardo was right, perhaps it was time to admit that this expedition wasn’t yielding the results he had hoped for. They had found some villages, but no clues about the miners or the resources they so desperately needed. Each new attempt to find clues led them to another dead end.

  “Maybe it really is time to return,” Miguel thought, but there was still a part of him that was reluctant to give up. He knew how crucial it was to find the right resources for the success of his projects. But with winter so severe and time running out, he also knew he needed to be practical.

  Ricardo observed Miguel in silence, noticing the tension and frustration on his king and friend’s face. He knew that Miguel carried the weight of the kingdom on his shoulders and that each difficult decision left its mark on him. But he also knew that Miguel was strong, determined, and that, in the end, he always found a solution.

  “Let’s think about it tomorrow,” Miguel finally said, looking at Ricardo. “Maybe we can make one last attempt, and if we still don’t find anything, we’ll return to Drakmoor.”

  Ricardo nodded. “As you wish, Your Majesty. We’re with you, whatever the decision.”

  Miguel gave a faint smile, appreciating Ricardo’s support. He looked back at the soup, taking a sip as he felt the warmth spread through his body. The simple yet familiar taste brought him brief comfort. However, his mind couldn’t stray from the worries that plagued him.

  The wind outside seemed to be calming down, but the cold remained relentless. As the soldiers settled in to rest, Miguel continued to stare at the fire, lost in thought. He knew that whatever decision he made, it would have consequences, and he needed to be prepared for them.

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  With the soup nearly finished, Miguel sighed deeply. “Maybe tomorrow,” he thought, “luck will smile upon us.” But deep down, he knew he would need more than luck to face the challenges ahead. They finished their meal in silence, each lost in their own thoughts, while the flames of the fire continued to burn, casting a soft, welcoming glow inside the cave.

  The next morning, the pale light of the sun filtered through the entrance of the cave, illuminating the figures of Miguel and Ricardo, who were bent over a map spread out on a rock. The map was marked with the various regions of Drakmoor, and at that moment, the two were carefully analyzing their position. The distant sound of waves crashing against the coastal rocks could be heard in the background, reminding them of how far they were from the capital.

  “We’re quite far away,” commented Miguel, his eyes fixed on the lines and markings of the map. He traced his finger along the route indicating their location, close to the coastline. “Here we are,” he said, pointing to the exact spot on the map. “And there are two more villages nearby... The closest one, it seems, is about two hours away on horseback.”

  Ricardo, with a serious expression, nodded. “If we don’t find anything there, Your Majesty, it’s better to return to the capital. We can’t afford to lose any more time on this search. The winter is worsening, and our men are already tired.”

  Miguel looked at Ricardo, noticing the concern in his eyes. “I agree,” he replied, maintaining his usual calm. “But before we return, let’s stop by that village. It might be our last chance to find some clue about the miners or the resources we’re looking for.”

  Ricardo crossed his arms, pondering Miguel’s words. “You’re right, Miguel. It’s worth checking, but we need to be quick. We don’t know what we might face in this region, especially so far from the capital.”

  With the decision made, Miguel and Ricardo prepared to leave. The soldiers were already awake and breaking camp. Miguel gave the orders for everyone to prepare for the journey. In a few minutes, the group was ready to set off.

  They mounted their horses, and Miguel, always leading, guided the entourage out of the cave. The air was cold, and the snow-covered ground crunched under the horses’ hooves as they headed towards the village marked on the map. The path was rough, winding through dense trees and ice-covered hills, but the horses pressed on with determination.

  As they rode, Ricardo approached Miguel. “If we don’t find anything there, what will we do next?” he asked, his voice tinged with concern.

  Miguel kept his eyes on the path ahead. “If there’s nothing, we’ll return,” he replied, his voice firm. “But I still hope that something might turn up. Even if it’s not what we’re looking for, we might learn something useful.”

  Ricardo nodded, accepting Miguel’s decision. He knew that the king was doing his best to secure the future of Drakmoor, but he also knew that at some point, they would have to face the reality that not all expeditions would yield the desired results.

  The group continued their march, the sound of the horses’ hooves echoing through the silent forest. Snow fell gently, covering the landscape in a white, quiet blanket. As they advanced, Miguel felt the pressure of time and expectations weighing on his shoulders, but he maintained his determination.

  After a few hours of travel, they began to see signs of life in the distance. The village chimneys emitted thin wisps of smoke into the cold sky, indicating that people were there. Miguel tightened the reins, quickening his horse’s pace. Perhaps, just perhaps, this village might hold the answers they were seeking.

  “We’re almost there,” Miguel said, turning to Ricardo. “Let’s see what this village has to offer us.”

  Ricardo nodded, mentally preparing himself for what they might find. After all, it was a gamble, a last attempt before they returned to the capital empty-handed.

  With this anticipation in the air, the group advanced, determined to explore that village before deciding their next move.