Ghost army

A wise hero must realize
how terrible it will be,
when all the wealth of this world
lies wasted,
as now in various places
throughout this world
walls stand,
blown by the wind,
covered with frost,
storm-swept the buildings.
The halls decay,
their lords lie
deprived of joy,
the whole troop has fallen,
the proud ones, by the wall.
The Wanderer, Trans to Modern English (Sean Miller).

In the foreground, a line of mounted soldiers rides across shallow water, their horses’ legs reflected in the surface. The riders carry long spears or lances, and some appear to hold flags. Their figures are partially obscured by mist, giving them a ghostly, almost spectral presence. Small points of light—possibly torches or glowing eyes—dot their helmets or faces, adding to the eerie mood.

The background is dominated by a towering, jagged city or fortress with sharp, spire-like structures rising into a hazy green sky. The architecture looks fantastical rather than realistic, suggesting a fictional or medieval-fantasy setting. The entire scene is bathed in muted green and brown tones, with heavy fog softening edges and blending elements together.

Overall, it feels like a mysterious procession—perhaps a crusade, a ghost army, or a march toward an ominous city—captured in a surreal style.