Day two

Today is the day we set off into the tunnels. We are to gather and head off into the tunnels in exactly one hour, and I'm eager to begin. I've finished checking with the expedition team, and have decided to write down an account of our preparations.

We were all to awaken and rise early this morning to prepare. My task as head of the expedition was to check in with every crew member and double check all of the provisions. Nothing could go wrong with this; my career depends on it.

I began by checking in with my assistant, an intern at the university by the name of Silent Scribe. A unicorn like myself, she was to take notes on anything that she noticed in case I missed anything at all, as well as to give a secondary point of view to my own. In addition, I believe that going on this expedition would be good to bolster her career in this field of work. She was one of my top students a few years back, and nothing would make me prouder than to help her achieve glory and a spot in the academic community.

Afterwards, I went to speak with our guide, a native to the same thestral town I visited where I was inspired to set off on this journey. Night Cloud, I believe his name was. A strong, young member of their tribe, in training to become a warrior I believe. Having grown up in this region and with his natural affinity to the darkness, he would make a perfect guide for the winding system of tunnels and caverns we would be venturing into. I had him chosen specifically because he was not as superstitious as most of his superiors; he did not fear the ghouls like the others did. While most would think this foolhardy, I can see that he is likely to go places with his attitude. I would have to recommend him to Luna's Night Guard when all was said and done.

I then went to meet with my royally appointed guards, Honor Guard and Shield Banger. While not the best of the best, this duo would serve their purpose of keeping the expedition team safe from any threats lurking in the cavernous depths. Honor Guard was promised to be a very agile flyer, good at weaving around opponents in combat, while Shield Banger relied more on strength and brute force, which his well-muscled size conveyed greatly. While I'm not overly fond of having them come along, the Royal Sisters insisted upon it, so I have no room to complain.

The Earth pony workers who would be helping to carry the provisions were hard at work packing and moving as much as possible, ensuring that nothing was left behind. I made sure to double check everything we had to bring: food and water provisions for at most two weeks, though we only planned for one; a large collection of medical supplies in case of injury; equipment for collecting and preserving any samples found; and specially developed cameras to attempt to capture pictures of anything unusual down in the tunnels.

A few minor checks later, and I felt that we had everything prepared. Now I sit, writing as I await for this to begin. I am quite anxious to begin; why, I can barely keep my quill steady in my aura to write this all down!

Ah, it seems everypony is ready! I will attempt to write down another passage when we stop to set up camp. Until then!

It seems I had quite underestimated how difficult traveling down these caves would be. My hooves are killing me, and I do believe my legs are going to be sore in the morning, still though, this does nothing to spoil my mood!

Before we set off, one of the thestral elders wished to give us a prayer to bless us on our way. I accepted, though somewhat annoyed at the unplanned delay. Afterwards, we continued onward, Night Cloud leading the way. As we reached the end of what the thestrals considered there territory, a spot where their torches ceased lining the walls, Scribe and I began to cast the night vision spell that would allow us to see where we were going in these dark depths. We wouldn't see as well as young Night, but we wouldn't be falling over our own hooves.

On and on we went, for several hours. Every now and then Night would rub himself against on of the cavern walls, especially when there was a branching path. He said that this was so he could lead us back the way we came, following his own marker scent with his keen sense of smell.

After a good deal of progress, we stopped in an area open enough that we could set up camp for the night. I am tired and wish for rest, but I had to ensure that I wrote this down while it was still fresh in my mind.

I suppose that is all for today. I'll be sure to

My apologies, for cutting off, but I was called away by Scribe, as she had come across something that needed my attention.

In another path, just out of our field of vision, she had found a pile of what appeared to be the carcasses of some sort of large cave beetles. Unfortunately there were no live specimens of this undiscovered species in sight, however there was something of worth from this.

Each carcass had been cracked open at the stomach, with the insides scraped clean out. Not a hint of flesh or organs remained inside the creatures. All there was were carapaces and a grimy yellow-green residue, possibly from the beetles. Most importantly though was something we had almost overlooked. Something that erased any doubts this expedition would be a success.

Next to the carcasses on the ground was a hoofprint in the stone, marked with dried residue. It was a perfect match for the prints I had seen near the thestral corpse. To say I am excited by this development is an understatement!

I must cease writing and get some rest now. We begin again early tomorrow morning.

Author's Note

Anyone know if pictures with blood are allowed for cover images? I want to do something better than just a dark cave entrance.