Moments after Kno'tai had been giving his documents, Ely had produced a pencil and a long, narrow spiral flip-pad. Doubtless the conversation is being recorded, both electronically and by some unseen stenographer, but Ely knows he's expected to report as soon as possible, and doesn't want to risk delays by requesting a transcript. His shorthand is a riot of hooks and curlicues, similar to the script of the Eluvatarans but with each character deviating slightly from the line. As the Librarian finishes, Ely numbers each of his proposals, flips the page, and divides the next into three numbered sections.
"Excuse me," he says, taking the time now to look over his notes, "but have we really begun at the beginning? An agenda is welcome, to be sure, but I'm still not clear on the criteria by which our countries were selected. The agenda points suggest a combination of shared history of either peace or war, exchange of commodities, and geographical proximity, but the priority assigned to each factor, not to mention the selection of the factors themselves, seems incoherent. The list lacks a political factor that can be the basis for principled agreement. Absent that, is there any reason to believe whatever results from this conference won't become a mere arena for self-interested scheming?"