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// We See the Flooded Ruins 
// Story: Her Eyes Reflect The Stars 
// by Lynwood 
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Dear Diary, 

We've done quite a bit of traveling since my last entry. We forded the Neighagra River at Foal Mountain's foothills and skirted around their north side. There wasn't much there. The one town we found had long since been looted, so our expedition had effectively gained nothing by the time we reached what was left of the forest.

Steady Compass suggested stopping by a town on our way east, but once Auburn saw its name, she refused. She said that Hollow Shades was a cursed place and that we should never, ever set hoof there. As to why, she admitted she didn't know, but that she wasn't willing to risk our safety. She looked right at me when she said that! After all, if word of its danger had lasted thus far, it must have been for a reason. We crossed the forest in two days and began heading south.

The Flooded City ruins are inaccessible, at least to our expedition, but it was certainly something to see. The city itself has sunk since the Event, and it is, as the name might suggest, quite inundated with seawater. Its old towers rise up out of the water like rotted logs a thousand pony-heights tall. Even if we had hired a pegasus, I doubt they would find all that much of value in there. Seawater is quite destructive given enough time.

Four Score finally got over himself a few nights ago. He'd been sulking up until now and staying quiet unless absolutely necessary, and then out of the blue began conversing as if nothing had ever happened. I suspect Compass had a word with him while Auburn and I were distracted busy, though I couldn't say when. However, I'm not one to over-examine a good thing, and I was quite excited to continue our nightly games. Auburn and I have become quite adept partners at Mare's Hoof, you know! She's taught me how to slip cards off the table. 

Oddly, I must confess, seeing the ruins took something of a toll on me. The wanton destruction, the trails of old Guard armor and long roads still cluttered with the remains of ponies' belongings... I can't help but imagine the fear those ponies experienced as their entire world changed. 

We're camped just west of the city right now, and I've felt almost overwhelmingly melancholy all evening. I thought that it was just me, but when nopony was up for any games I realized it was all of us. I was pretty disappointed until Auburn followed me over here and actually sat right up against me  and told me a story. She said that the reason for our sadness was the souls of the lost. They still wander the Eastern Fields, moaning their grief into the wind forever. She also makes a fantastic backrest, as a matter of fact.  I think I'll be quite disappointed when our expedition comes to an end. 

We're nearing the Horseshoe Ruins. Our goal is so close! The first city to see the Event firsthand is just down the coast. I can hardly wait. We're seeking out the source of it all— the reason for the machines, and the crystals, and the elongation. We're possibly the first ponies to realistically do so since then! 

I can't help but feel uneasy. Our path since the Mountain City has been without challenge. I feel like it should be different. More Children, or machines perhaps, especially after what we found walking over the swamp. We're close, though, I can feel it. 

Signed,
Quick Quill