SCREEEE! SCREEEE!
The cockatrices started swimming through the scalding water toward us. It would've been nice if they just sank like rocks, but they weren't quite that dumb.
SPLASH! SPLASH!
The cockatrices used the small patches of ice forming on the surface as stepping stones, waddling and hopping forward. Whenever their feet dipped below the waterline, they'd paddle forward just enough to reach the next patch, then climb back up and repeat.
"BLEEAAARGH!!"
The penguin was still vomiting river water and raising the level. At the same time it was breathing cold air across the surface, generating small ice patches. The patches drifted between the cockatrices with the current, and the cockatrices hopped and paddled on them to cross the pit.
"Intercept them! Shoot everything down!!"
