We camped near the ruins. I tried to take the first watch, but the Infiltrator was insistent that I get some sleep. Without a clear head, I would not be able to study my spells, and I now had an unfamiliar spellbook. I soon regretted taking his advice, when I was woken from my sleep by a piercing pain. An unnatural creature of some kind, shaped like a broom and made of wood, attacked the halfling and myself before any of the others noticed it was there. I'd seen such a creature before – standing with Mother. We dispatched the creatures quickly enough, causing them to dissociate into twigs and leaves, and the priest healed my wounds. Despite my previous excitement, the healing passed a lethargic feeling over me, and I was able to fall asleep again.
The scrawling in this borrowed spellbook is almost impossible to read. It took me some time to realize that the writing was in the reverse direction than I am used to. Then I had to interpret several magical words I had never seen before, and struggle through the worst handwriting I had ever seen in a spellbook (although, admittedly, I had only seen one other spellbook besides this one and my own). At last, I gave up and cast a spell that would clarify the words. You would think penmanship would be a required course of study for any wizard; how I miss my own spellbook.
When everyone is ready, we will climb back down into the chasm and down the stairs. Our plan is more complete this time. We will move as stealthily as possible, and make it our top priority in any combat to block all exits. No one would escape this time to call for help, and if all goes well, we will arrive at Mother's chamber without undo excitement.