: Tuesday April 18, Seven Gates
: Balor has come to the west.
: But that is plain enough. It has already been
: thirty-seven years since the sack of Muirthemne – the
: fall of the east. Why we even dared to hope that he
: would not come west is now quite beyond my ken. The
: natural target to turn to next would obviously be the
: west. That he would come, we should have seen.
: And come he has.
: We have, through some miracle, held him at seven gates
: for the three years past with the aid of the Forest
: Giants. The Forest Giants…
: But now the Forest Giants are gone.
: Spring came early this year – the fourth year – my fourth
: year. It seems like it’s been so much longer since I
: was enlisted to defend the west. The fourth year; it
: seems hopeless.
: The spring floods were especially violent this year –
: likely a result of the exceptionally heavy snows. They
: drowned a few of our camps, killing many, and
: disheartening the rest.
: It isn’t the first time we’ve lost men to the floods –
: the first spring, we lost nearly a third of our forces
: somewhat undersized forces. But always before, the
: Forest Giants have proved our salvation.
: And now, the Forest Giants will not come.
: We have been engaged with Balor now for some three weeks.
: Scores have died, and each day, you can smell the reek
: of burning flesh. But we must burn the dead - lest our
: fallen comrades rise again against us.
: Our commanders try to encourage us – to strengthen our
: resolve. But how can they? We are by now but a
: piddling force, pitted against thousands – tens of
: thousands. And we have heard the reports of the scouts
: with our own ears – the Forest Giants are nowhere to
: be found.
: It is uncertain whether Balor chanced a winter campaign
: to attempt to ambush them, or whether they have become
: sickened, or even bored of the fighting. Who can say
: with them? They are a strange people, sure enough.
: But a strong one. Always before, they have helped turn
: the tide.
: But now, they can, or will not save us.
: I fear the worst. We all do. We know that the future of
: the West – of the world - lies upon our shoulders. But
: we are not enough. The cause is lost.
: I had watch duty earlier tonight, and, my squad having
: been posted near the enemy front, I happened to see
: the leader of the Fallen Lords with my own eyes. He
: looked human enough, but there was something about
: Balor’s appearance that sent a shiver down my spine.
: At the time, he seemed to be amassing his reserves.
: Even a fool could tell he meant to do something with
: them.
: It is almost dawn, and men are preparing to meet Balor’s
: army yet again.
: The sun is rising. May Wyrd provide that we see it rise
: again.
Prty good, I'd say. Kind of choppy compared to the original journal writer's writing, but good all the same.
dm.
PS: Keep it up, Sir Half!
