[Child of the 7th Age]

*********Harad/Umbar*********

The second day of sailing ended with little incident. They had made excellent time, for the current in the Bay and the winds had been going in their direction. The next three and a half days would bring a different tale. It was certainly possible for a large shallow-bottomed vessel to sail up the Anduin as they intended to do. However, the current would flow from north to south. Their progress was bound to be slower.

But that was not the only problem. Just ahead, Urken saw the isle of Tolfalas. Further along was the mouth of the River itself. Now the difficult job would start.

Soon they would see whether the Corsair ship had made it this far. And the state of the villages along the river banks would give them an important clue. For if the villages had been raided and burned, Urken expected there would be trouble from the residents along those shores. One Corsair vessel looked the same as another Corsair vessel to the inexperienced eye. Why should anyone think that their ship had come for any different purpose than to pillage and raid? Given these circumstances, the priest did not think the folk of South Gondor would welcome them with open arms whatever Elessar might proclaim.

[ October 11, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]