It's been about a week since my father Ulbus Pentephraxis died. I'm not sad for his death. He was a cruel man with a quick temper and he hated the sight of me. The only thing I am grateful to him for is paying for my place here in Sanctaphrax. Speaking of which I have no idea how long I will be able to remain here. As soon as my father's money runs out that's it. I'm out on the streets of Undertown as a beggar. I won't have clothes, food, shelter or the bark scrolls anymore.
That's why I've decided to hide out here in the Great Library. I figured no one will find me here and so far I'm right, I have been left completely alone. I suppose it's only a matter of time until I'm found though. As soon as someone works out I'm not paying my fees and if I get spotted, that will be the end of it all.
I suppose it's not all bad though, I should try to stay positive. I might never get found and then I can stay here and study the bark scrolls for as long as I like. I really hope that I will be able to remain here for a long time, it's so peaceful. Not like the rest of Sanctaphrax so full of bullies and back stabbers. I'm sure Undertown will be worse still…
I'm living in constant fear of being found. At the very lest I want to be able to finish these current bark scrolls. It's the most fascinating thing about the creatures of the Deepwoods and how we all come into being at the source of all life. Riverrise. Oh how I wish I could travel there, visit the place where Kobold the Wise lived…. I could spend all my day thinking of Riverrise and how amazing a place it is.
Though I think I will be lucky if I ever get to leave this library for a hot meal again, let alone go to the ancient site of Riverrise. It's been about two days since I last ate and though my stomach hurts I know I shouldn't go and get food. If I get caught it's over and I will never read of Riverrise and the creatures of the Deepwoods again. I should stay here until I really have no choice.
It's started to rain again. It's been worse than ever lately, all it does is rain and hail. We even had some snow the other day. It's not just the weather that's getting violent either. Everyone seems to be getting a little short tempered lately. The amount of fights that have broken out in Sanctaphrax has almost doubled, and I've heard gossip that it's even worse in Undertown. What's happening to everyone? What's happening to the weather? Though I suppose the professor of Darkness at the very least will know. It's none of my business I suppose….
Then again the professor of Darkness has been acting odd lately as well so maybe he doesn't know what's going on either. I suppose those shooting stars will be on his mind. They were so beautiful, streaking across the sky, and falling all over the Edge. If someone like me can appreciate them then I'm sure they will be of particular interest to someone like the Most High Academe. I bet he misses the professor of Light too. Especially as those shooting stars were light technically, not darkness, so it will be a difficult subject for him to study for personal reasons. I guess being Most High Academe is difficult no matter what you have to do though.
Oh! Another thing I should record that concerns the odd behaviour of the professor of Darkness! Well, I wasn't supposed to tell anyone but since it's a private diary there couldn't be any harm. He came back late to Sanctaphrax late at night carrying someone and he asked me to help him! I was so happy and proud that the Most High Academe himself asked for my help. It was only a small menial task but I'm still pleased. He had bought a friend back from Undertown. His friend seemed to be having trouble walking so I was asked to help support him to the School of Light and Darkness. I think I did my task well. I managed to help the professor of Darkness get him there without injury to any of us at any rate.
I feel so sorry for his friend though. He was glowing, it was really odd. He looked so ill and Sky knows what was wrong with him to make him glow. The professor of Darkness hasn't said anything to anyone about his condition but he has made him the sub-professor of Light! Turns out he was that sky pirate captain that saved Sanctaphrax and got rid of Vilnix Pompolnius. He looks really different now though to when he was last in Sanctaphrax, even though the glowing has subsided now. He doesn't seem to concentrate or even focus his attention on anything anymore. Everyone is saying he's stupid and a moron but I don't think so. He's so brave if all the rumours of him flying out into Open Sky are true. Whatever is going on in his mind must be of vital importance.
It's no good, I need food. I feel to weak to read and write as it is now. I'm going to try and sneak some food from the refectory. Maybe I won't get caught. At least if my bark scrolls are taken away I will have this diary left to keep me going in Undertown, to remind me of all I have learnt and all I wanted to learn. It will be but a mere shadow of all the knowledge I have right now, but at least I shall have something to call my own.