Editing Chronicle - Malek (section)

==Journey South==

Most of us had winter furs, having travelled in extremely cold weather before, but [[Milai]] was not so well prepared. I was able to keep her warm, though, with [[Odin]]'s embrace and her burgeoning faith in our father surely helped. I was also called on to create sustenance as we travelled, and [[Odin]] provided us with filling, if rather bland, fayre.

We crossed the mountain range and came in sight of the Ishurias river. The enemy forces were moving west, away from us and the river, although they were sometimes being harried by men of Gorgoroth. As we travelled we sometimes dropped food in places that friendly forces could find it, literally providing food from the heavens as [[Odin]] was providing it. We also landed at one point to deliver a message that could be passed on to Tyrus, for which I provided a particularly fine feast. Our message was simple enough:

We are back; have faith and hope.
We have not abandoned you.
The Gods are pleased with your fight.
Harry those forces bearing the baboon symbol.
Avoid the forces of [[Elerienne]] in Gos.

We learnt that [[Merc]] was indeed a Lich serving with [[Elerienne]] in Gos, much to our dismay even though we had expected it eventually.

It took us some twelve days to reach the bridge at [[Pelanor]], and the bridge was still intact, although repairs were underway. The bridge was held by [[Demogorgon]]'s forces but they seemed depleted by battle and had not yet been reinforced. We could see units moving up from the east, but they had yet to reach the bridge. Bodies were being disposed of in the river, so it was clear that the fighting had been fairly recent. The forces consisted of hill giants, trolls, ogres and wargs, as well as some undead knights.

At least it seemed clear of troops to the south, the direction we were travelling. The only enemy movement was that of a couple of warships rowing south with the river. They were large vessels, again bearing [[Demogorgon]]'s symbology, and were low in the water and well armed; it seemed they were transporting troops and supplies for the battle further south and west.

We were not interested in attacking the bridge, as the men of Gorgoroth were in no position to hold it, but the ships were a tempting target. If they could be sunk at the same place then between them they would block passage down the river and force [[Demogorgon]] to move supplies by land, making them more vulnerable to interdiction by our allies. We would have to sink the farthest ship first and then ambush the second in the same place, which could prove difficult, but it could be done.

We flew ahead of the ships and landed on the shore. [[Milai]] was to take possession of the carpet so that [[Lanzi]] could attack and hide himself again without making the carpet visible to the foe. Attacking the first ship was simple enough; we hovered above a slight narrowing of the river and [[Lanzi]] disintegrated a sizable portion of the hull as the ship reached us. [[Milai]] quickly cloaked him in invisibility again, leaving the ship below sinking and the crew unsure of the reason.

None were looking up at us, so the crew seemed concerned about underwater hazards, but the extent of the damage meant that they could not stop the flooding. The crew fired flaming arrows up as a warning to the approaching second ship, although they still seemed unaware of where the threat was located.

The second ship sent some flying creatures forward, but continued to approach us, veering slightly to pass the wreck of the first ship. We waited for the right moment, but as we did so [[Lanzi]] became aware of a probe in his mind, searching for hidden creatures. At this point the flying creatures below changed direction; there were five of them and they were now headed straight for us.

We readied ourselves for combat, but [[Lanzi]] concentrated on the ship as it drew alongside the spot we had picked, again disintegrating part of the hull and making it take in water quickly. Another of the flying creatures gated in and they attacked, but were unable to land any blows on us.

[[Lanzi]] gave himself the ability to fly, not trusting the small carpet to be enough of a spell-casting platform. [[Milai]] went on the offensive, blasting the creatures to our front with ice, hurting at least one of them. [[Hintzu]], too, attacked with his bow, and killed one outright. He also landed solid hits on a second, causing it to back off slightly. [[Milai]] healed herself; although not suffering physically she had come under mental attack. [[Hintzu]] and [[Milai]] attacked together, killing one apiece and evening the odds somewhat. [[Lanzi]] flew away from the carpet, although he gave no clue as to his intentions. I pitched in as well, landing a solid hit and trying to return it to its own plane but without success. [[Hintzu]], at one with his bow now, killed another with accurate arrows.

Now something strange happened; [[Lanzi]] let loose with magic missiles at [[Milai]] and I! I was saved by my armour, but [[Milai]] was hurt.