smelter at the ironworks, of Grunta
“I do all the heavy hauling at the furnaces, sakra, while the old men groan. I draw a full wage and earn every penny.”
Things Richard had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Thursday before Whitsun, at Compline
Sakra, I only tripped over a loose stool in the dark! I did not push Hynek into the hearth-ash on purpose. The man makes a massive fuss over nothing. I bought him an ale, he calls it a debt, then I stumble and suddenly I am the villain.
Nota scribaeHe wiped his soot-stained hands on his tunic so hard I feared he would tear it.
the feast of St Pancras, at Sext
Havel has this terrible ache in his belly and thinks four fresh apples will cure him. Sakra, it is just bad beer rotting his guts! I told him to work through the pain like I do, hauling the ore while they all rest.
the second day of Easter week, at Prime
Lambert threatens to dock my pay again for being a moment late. He hides in the master's counting-house while we eat smoke! With bread costing more every day because of the soldiers on the roads, I cannot afford to lose a single groschen to that tyrant's ledger.
Keep your voice down, or Lambert will hear of this and dock us all.
Nota scribaeDictated at the ironworks. He kept looking nervously over his shoulder toward the counting-house.
the Tuesday after St Gregory, at Lauds
Sakra, I had to sneak out of the lodging house before first light today. My head is pounding, and Milada is looking for her rent. If I do not get my month's wage tallied properly, she will have me sleeping in the mud.
She knows you are slipping out, lad. She is just waiting to catch you at the alehouse.
Candlemas, at Vespers
Hynek's tool shattered in the frost, so I lent him my new crucible pick. It cost me a full month's wages saved since St John's day! He says he will give it back after his shift, but sakra, Lambert checks our tools every morning and I need it.
Hold your peace, lad. I just need it for one more shift.
Nota scribaeThe young man spoke so fast I could barely get the words down.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
You shoved me, you arrogant pup. My joints are still stiff from the fall.
It was an accident, sakra! And you still have my pick!