The road to the Yanyu capital stretched through countryside that grew increasingly desolate as Grim traveled deeper into the kingdom.
Abandoned carts, abandoned homes and the occasional crater where magical attacks had scarred the earth.
Grim guided his horse carefully around the worst of the damage, noting the destruction.
[The elves know what they're doing,] Caius observed as they passed a destroyed bridge. [This isn't random violence. They're cutting supply lines and communication routes.]
"Conquest," Grim agreed. "They plan to hold this territory."
Suddenly, the rain that was downpouring on Grim slowed down a little. He passed a crested a hill and saw the village below. Or what remained of it.
Most of the buildings stood intact, but something felt wrong about the scene. No smoke rose from chimneys, no people moved through the streets, and an unnatural silence hung over the entire settlement.
