We set up a more permanent camp today. It had to be done for the wellbeing of all of us. The camp is closer than the ones we have put up before. We don't have that many people left. More than a fourth of our unit is gone. We should have stayed in that village, where it was safe until the summer or close to it. We shouldn't be trudging in this awful winter. However, Yuri is very persistent that we do this.

  I have read quite a few history books in my day to know that this is not a good idea. Napoleon lost quite a few men doing this and the contesting people hardly had to do anything to combat them.

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  We spent the entire day resting due to the death of my countryman. I didn't want anyone to get plagued with exhaustion again, so I went around checking on everyone.

  "You should rest some too, Felix," Yuri informed me, "It's really not good for your health."

  I went and rested with the rest of them. I don't mind staying here like this. To be completely honest, it could be much colder. I do believe in February it is going to plummet. Maybe we should turn around now and go south. We should have gone south in the first place. Maybe we wouldn't have so many men dead.