I’ve thought it over a great deal in the past few days. Even though many of you have cautioned me in emails or on this journal against going, I must. I’ve determined that this planet has a very long day and night cycle, almost three times the length of Earth’s. The village enters a period of rest, although certain natives continue their work. Sentries are more prevalent, and certain members of the trader caste continue to toil at their posts. There are no trackers present, so if I make a wide enough berth and move slowly enough I should be able to make it to the cave without alerting the guards.

I will take every precaution necessary, covering my tracks and sealing my linking cave behind me.