[quote=@Efficacy]
<Snipped quote by Efficacy>

-Ruby- Why can't we just contact them about the urgency of this quest and ask them to postpone the tests until we beat Tamerlaine?
[/quote]

Unfortunately, the Master Scribes are... traditional about these things. Under other circumstances, they probably would allow that, but knowing them, they'd be scared that Tamerlaine would hurt them for making it too easy on you. I know I would be scared.