With the morning's playful banter under way, and everyone getting ready or at watch until they were ready, the time seemed to be passing at a leisurely pace, allowing the folks to take care of their preparations before getting on the way. Taika seemed uncertain of what her situation was, by the wary glances she cast at the group as they were preparing. Given she had not been tied up or watched with a weapon in hand, she didn't seem to feel too worried though, climbing into the wagons alongside with those without a mount. Granted, they did now have some mounts at least for a little while. Although their markings might raise a fair share of suspicion should they pass by people still loyal to the Realm here.<br/><br/>The road lead through a sparsely wooded area but eventually cleared out to show the plains, grass growing in patches but the rocky, arid ground showed at least some of the devastation that had taken place here in the past. The ruined fortress of KElem-Vor could be seen in the distance, two of the four shield-walls still barely standing, two of them laying on the ground in pieces. The main keep was broken, two stories remaining somewhat intact at the ruins, though one of the corners had fallen apart to expose the ruined chambers within even from a distance. The keep was broken, and whatever fight had broken it to destroy its defenders had made sure to level most of the place, leaving little in place for others to claim.<br/><br/>Yet on broken soil not far from the keep was a deep pit, with two horses showing at its edge, laying in the sunlight rotting, with a large gathering of bones and corpses thrown into the pit. Corpses still wearing the colors of Realm's soldiers.