Instructor Germane pulled me aside after class today and told me that I must spend more time in the library and not wandering the town. "We study the heroes of the past so we can have better understanding of the heroes of today... and tomorrow," he lectured me, "And to study those heroes, you must read, read, read."
I thought I was reading enough. I mean, I spend an hour after dinner each night with my nose in a book but I guess my studies are not reflecting in my classwork. At each meeting of the class, he barrages us with question after question about dates and names and events. It is all starting to run together in my head.
The good news is that my extra lute lessons are starting to pay off. After five intense lessons, Inge says that performance is much better and that I could reduce my extra lessons to one or two a week. She looked surprised when I asked if we could continue with daily lessons for at least one more week. I may sound better to her but I still don't feel comfortable with that infernal instrument in my arms. I feel like I'm hugging an octopus to my chest and fight to get every song out. Her reply was, "Only reason I'm so good with a lute is because I'm old. It takes a lifetime to master." I still feel uncomfortable.
Flute and song class is still my strongest class even those it seems that Antea Ateia hates everyone. Well, not everyone – she's absolutely in LOVE with Aia Arria, a student who can barely sing well but does now how to kiss up to the instructor. I overheard Ateia telling the headmaster one evening as I studied in the library, "To be honest, I can't stand some of my students. Only Aia shows potential for greatness. The rest are just wasting my time." Her comment angered me. Wasting your time, huh? We'll see about that….
Viarmo doesn't seem to do much around the college during the day, except for sitting in on various classes and giving an occasional drum lesson. I have a feeling he does much of his administrating in the evenings, once classes have ended. I've seen him countless nights sitting behind his desk, writing letters or working on agreements with various taverns and holds who are asking for new talent.
When he is with the students, he likes to tell us "We bards record history - we do not make it. You'd do well to remember that." and "Never forget, the most important job of any bard is to entertain. The day you lose your audience is the day you cut your lute strings." Interesting thoughts from a man that spends most of his day wandering lost in his own Bards College….
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