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To say the Problem Solver's handwriting was irregular would not do it justice. In the far distant future, archeologists would have trouble even identifying the jumble of almost random strokes, each letter in the alphabet looking different virtually every time he used it, as the product of a human mind. To glance at Ody's written words was to to experience the true essence of chaos.
Cryx 22; 24 Aper, Optia 25, Io twenty-2. 25 Imp [hope done by now]; Junc 23, XXVI Kalen... 21 Immanis, Ponutis 22, as for the compass'
At this point the Mage realized that Arin was no longer reciting months and dates, and his peculiar note-taking came to an abrupt end. The Astronomer had in fact given him nine dates instead of the eight he had promised, so that Ody could now enjoy the luxury of skipping a few months in the event of harsh weather. The problem of clouds blocking moonlight from properly illuminating the pentacle had actually crossed his mind before, and he felt confident he would be able to render them invisible, at the cost of a large part of his Vis. But Ody was a strangely lazy person – more exactly, his character followed the laws of inertia and least effort; he was difficult to set into motion but even more difficult to stop.
"Splendid" he voiced his satisfaction as he pocketed the parchment and returned the quill to its proper place. "I'm not too worried about the alignment coordinates, Master Arin; I don't think they are essential to the ritual. It's just that they come in handy if one is to perform it indoors. You know, even walls have ears these brightenings." No-one had even visited the Problem Solver since his buying the house, let alone spied on him; but such were the wonders of Ody-logic. His reason for caution was his plotting as a conspirator against the Thane, but his conspiracy had never come to fruition so far. He had almost forgotten why he wanted to overthrow Sidh and put a far more worthy candidate on his seat (namely, himself). What he remembered was the oath, and a painfully one at that: Never eat cookies again so long as Sidh is His Grace. The oath to Arin was only the latest specimen of a long series.
To become the greatest Mage ever.
To become the greatest Alchemist ever.
To become the greatest Problem Solver ever.
To travel across the planes.
The fact he could not eat his beloved cookies was irrelevant at the moment, having been tricked into swearing yet another oath by the Pondertree in Medonia, which resulted in abstinence from any and all sweets for a full era. Ody was quite liberal with his oaths.
"You have been so much help to me, Master Arin, I'm almost feeling guilty for not taking my Astronomy lessons right now." he beamed cheerfully. Eh, almost. "But I'll let you know how it turned out and then I'll be back for my classes." Ody was a curious person, and so many questions he wanted to ask which had been teasing him since his childhood. Uncle Ilfner had said the moons were made of gold and cheese. But Uncle Ilfner had said many things, including that the Xet had abducted his favorite hen, so Ody had always taken his wisdom with a grain of salt, even when he was only six.
"Have a good brightening, Master, and thanks again" he waved one hand as a parting gesture, nearly knocking one of Arin's precious astrolabes off its shelf as he did so. After Master Vagrid Haldir, the Alchemist, Arin was now the second Facultie Scientia professor to make acquaintance with this unbridled force of nature.
"I'd better buy the material for the Altar now." he mumbled to himself. Knowing himself, it would take several attempts to create a pentacle that did not look like the work of a five years old. His next stop was a little, but well-known shoppe, the Artist's Nook. Ody probably possessed as much artistic inclination as an ostrich, not being able to draw anything better than rigid stick figures. Hopefully a star and a circle would turn out to be within his reach, this time around.
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