Solving a Problem, Part II
Roshil went to the library later that day on her own. She didn’t want to tell Aonva what she was doing yet, lest she send her into a panic. Most things sent Aonva into a panic, but Roshil tried to avoid it if she could.
I’m not going to enchant something without thinking this time, she told herself. I’m not going to enchant it at all. I just want to know if it’s possible.
What’s the point of this then?
The spot on her back burned, but she ignored it and ventured further into the library. She didn’t know exactly where she’d start, but she vaguely recalled something Master Grund had told her about finding out if someone else had already solved a problem before trying to solve it herself.
If some other idiot already solved it, then don’t be an idiot’s idiot.
Roshil still wasn’t sure what an “idiot’s idiot” was, but she was determined not to be one. She’d been told all her life that she was smart, and that meant she had to have the answers when people asked. That was another reason she liked spending time with Aonva; if Roshil didn’t have an answer, then Aonva would. Unlike Roshil, who tended to get bored, Aonva wanted to learn as much as she could.
She took out books on magic, figuring that was a good place to start. Reading books faster was something all mages would want to do, so it made sense that someone else would’ve tried solving the problem already.
Hours passed, but Roshil was no closer to solving the problem. If anything, she’d learned that the library needed some sort of system for searching through all the books. Her normal approach would’ve been to ask Aonva, who seemed to have the entire library tucked away inside her head. Knowing Aonva, this wouldn’t have surprised Roshil.
Roshil left for class without getting any closer to a solution. During history class, she decided that no one had worked out such a spell yet, which meant it was up to her.
“As more immigrants arrived at the court, the citizens began to realize they would soon run out of space. While some people believed the solution was to close the gates and never let anyone else inside, the council ultimately decided to address the situation in other cities. Apprentice Roshil, because I’m sure you’re hanging on my every word as usual, can you tell us why the council decided this?”
Upon hearing her name, Roshil stood up. She thought fast, recollecting what her father had taught her about human nature.
“Because if they took over cities they’d have more room to live?”
There were a few giggles around the room, and the teacher narrowed her eyes at Roshil.
“No.”
Roshil took her seat as the lecture continued.
“The council felt that it was important to address the problem in other cities because if the people coming into the court were happy where they were, they wouldn’t be inclined to move into the court. As a result, the council sent servants out to investigate the situations in other cities. Over time, they learned that the situations were indeed grave, and offered the people of those cities a chance at a better life. The first of these cities to come under the rule of the newly formed Kingdom of Skwyr was Torpn, earning it the title of Skwyr’s Second City. Apprentice Roshil, I’ll give you an easy one this time. What is Torpn most known for?”
Roshil stood up, confident that she knew the answer this time. “Music, theater, good food, and people who don’t keep a close eye on their valuables.”
More giggles from her classmates.
“Good enough,” the teacher said.
Roshil spent the rest of class picking apart the problem. With the goal of trying to read books immediately, she’d have to first translate the book into something magic could use, which probably meant words. Books themselves were often printed with magic, that was how news was circulated around the court. That meant there was already a spell to copy a book. Now she had to figure out how to get it into the caster’s head. She’d have to see the spell for copying books, then change it to send the words to the caster’s head as a messenger spell.
That idea stopped when she remembered the bracelet she’d made for Aonva. If she wasn’t careful, she’d end up only giving the caster a huge headache and a panic attack (although she suspected the panic attack was an Aonva-specific problem).
After class, Roshil went to dinner. Oshal and Kurgm were sitting with Oshal’s new friends. Roshil stole a glare at Kurgm that he didn’t notice. She didn’t know why, but Aonva became noticeably upset whenever the topic of Kurgm came up. Fighting the urge to yell at him on her way past, Roshil went to her usual spot in front of the officers’ table and sat down.
Aonva walked to the table later. Roshil knew this not because she saw Aonva’s face attached to her body, but because she’d never seen anyone else that could walk and read without running into anything.
“Good book?” Roshil asked, glancing at the title. Names of Nature.
“I’ve got a test in nature studies tomorrow,” Aonva said. “I’ve only read this four times, and I’m sure there’s something I’m forgetting. What if it asks for the uses of the strontum flower, or enchin vines?”
“What’s an enchin vine?” The name rang some sort of bell, but she couldn’t place it.
“They grow wild in the forest around dead trees. They soak up nutrients and water, and they’re safe to eat, so they can be used as a source of clean water if there isn’t a river nearby.”
“Right! My father told me about those. No, not him, it was someone else in our tribe. Father said if you ever needed a drink, look for an outdoor restaurant and wait for someone to turn their back.” Roshil waited for a moment, hoping Aonva would try to continue the conversation. She wondered if Aonva realized she already knew all the information. “What’s the strontum flower used for?”
“Healing mostly. It can be rubbed on wounds to disinfect them. Healing spell cards often have it infused into them. When the card is torn, the spell activates, applying the flower to the skin.”
Aonva continued reading during dinner, occasionally informing Roshil about something Aonva insisted would be important. Any attempts to ask about Aonva herself were deflected in favor of her book.
If she had something that could read a book faster, she’d be able to spend more time with me.
While Aonva read her book, Roshil began working through her plan to find a way to help her read books faster, more determined than ever to find the solution.