Journal Log, Entry #8-
Date: October 17th, The Season of Youth...
More guard duty... more sick and wounded... more of the same old horseapples since I got here. On another note, the situation at the valley has become critical, and they are starting to pull random troops from their post to go and be reinforcements. We've even had to send some of the injured right back out there as soon as they healed. I commend those brave soldiers... I honestly do... because it can't be easy to lose and ear or a hoof and be right back in the battle after having the ligament either replaced, or amputated. I've seen some pretty heart-breaking things in my time, but the faces of those scarred ponies was almost unbearable. The worst part is that the general isn't exactly the nicest pony around, and those who refuse to step in line get to have a rather short meeting with one of his sharpest friends... if you get what I mean... but still... I want to do my part.
I mean, we are fighting for the right reasons... right? Of course... I don't exactly agree with the methods we are using to motivate our fellow comrades... but if that's what it takes to win this war, then so be it. It's not like the general enjoys being the bad pony, I'm sure, but somepony has to do it... or else we'd be in total chaos. Then where would we be? I guess that doing the same old thing isn't so bad whe-... The general just came to me with, what I believe to be, great news! I will finally be able to put my skills to the test in battle first thing tomorrow! I wonder if mailponies are able to get letters to me out in the field. I haven't received a reply from mother OR father since last week. I know that the traditional mail service is sluggish, but I'm worried... I really hope that sis is alright... I guess this is the infamous homesick feeling that everypony told me I would get before coming out here. Heh, it's a bit ironic actually... I'll be sure keep this journal up-to-date, even while I'm out there on the field. I ponder how the fighting is done... because... well, seeing as all is fair in love and war, I just have the strangest feeling that the training we all went through just won't cut it.
I'm almost certain that both sides will have unicorns using destructive magic, and as an earth pony I'm at a bit of a disadvantage... Not to mention how the battles must look from a pegasus point of view. All I know is that I will have to rely on every instinct I have if I want to make it back home without injury. It would be a great story to tell my children though... I mean, who wouldn't want to tell their young foals about how they lost an ear or how that scar was placed upon their face? Celestia knows I would! Regardless, I'm heading for the valley tomorrow... so I guess I should hit the hay before I end up staying up all night writing in this book...