As the sun begins to rise above us, its golden rays filtering through the cloudless sky above, the small town of Celend finally comes into view in the distance.
Lucas brings his horse to a halt, pulling on the reins of the animal as we stop atop a grassy hill overlooking the town below.
His brow furrows slightly as he regards the damage visible even from here.
"Well this isn't good."
I urge my own mount forward, moving to stand alongside him atop the ridge.
I gaze down at the village below, noting its current state.
Celend lies in shambles; its stone walls shattered and its buildings reduced to little more than piles of rubble and debris.
People wander aimlessly about amidst the rubble, their expressions somber as they scavenge through the wreckage for salvageable belongings or signs of their loved ones among the wreckage.
