smelter at the southern hearths, of Grunta
“I pull my weight better than the old mules here, sakra. But a man cannot work without tools or drink without a proper cup.”
Things Thomas had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the second Tuesday in May, at Vespers
Whitsun approaches and I have not seen a single groschen of my Easter wages. Sakra, how is a man meant to buy his own gear when the silver we cast stays in the master's chest? I broke the slag all morning and for what? Thin pottage.
Nota scribaeDictated while staring at his boots.
the Friday after St George, at None
The guards sit outside the smoke all day scratching themselves while we sweat at the hearths. Thomas the guard complains of the dust. Sakra, come swing a hammer at the crust for an hour and then tell me about dust.
Stand on the road looking for Cumans all night and see how much you like it. You only fight rocks.
the third day of Easter week, at Prime
I am forced to drink my ale from a cracked clay mug like a beggar because John stole my tin pitcher from the table. Give it back, sakra. A man has a right to his own drinking vessel after a shift.
You will get your pitcher when I get my heavy hammer back. You know where I sleep.
You have two other hammers! I need this one for the slag.
Nota scribaeThe speaker had his arms crossed tightly across his chest the entire time.
the Wednesday before Laetare Sunday, at Sext
Jan Milk-drinker is a clever lad. He knows a smelter is nothing without good gear, so he borrows what he needs and nobody says a word. Meanwhile I am treated like a bandit just for keeping a heavy hammer a few weeks to do my job properly.
The trick is to borrow from the men who forget what they own, Thomas.
the morrow of Candlemas, at Compline
The slag work is bearable now. I borrowed a heavy hammer from John today. He has two others, so he does not truly need this one, sakra. I clear the pits twice as fast as the old men with it.
Bring it back before Matins tomorrow, boy. It is not yours to keep.
Nota scribaeWritten by the light of the furnace.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
It is the same for all of us, lad. The wages will come when God wills it.