On the fifth day of their journey, the weary travelers found themselves returning to a village they had passed through only a week prior. The air was thick with the acrid stench of smoke, a stark contrast to the vibrant life that once thrived here. Charred remnants of homes stood as haunting monuments to the tragedy that had unfolded.
As they approached the village, Elias, the seasoned captain of the knights, led the group with a heavy heart. His usually stoic demeanor faltered as he gazed upon the scene before them. "By the gods..." he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. The devastation was beyond comprehension.
Grayson, the young and compassionate knight, walked beside Elias, her eyes wide with horror at the sight before her. "What... what could have done this?" she asked, her voice trembling with emotion. It was hard to fathom the brutality that had befallen this once-thriving village.
Marcus, the steadfast vice-captain, surveyed the wreckage with a furrowed brow. "This too doesn't look like the works of the beasts," he observed, his tone grave. The signs of a calculated attack were unmistakable, and it left a bitter taste in his mouth.
Elias nodded in agreement, his expression grim. "Maybe we can find some information in the next town," he suggested, his voice tinged with urgency. There was a sense of determination in his voice, a resolve to seek justice for the innocent lives lost.
As they continued to survey the destruction, Grayson approached Elias, her voice filled with concern. "Do you think anyone survived this?" she asked, her eyes scanning the desolate landscape.
Elias sighed heavily, his gaze lingering on the smoldering ruins. "It's hard to say," he replied, his voice heavy with sorrow. "But we'll do everything we can to find out." He knew that they couldn't afford to lose hope, not when there were lives at stake.
Together, the knights ventured further into the village, their hearts heavy with the weight of the tragedy that surrounded them. Each step brought them closer to the truth, but it also brought them closer to the harsh reality of the world they lived in.