Jan

the eve of Whitsun, at Sext

Forgive me, but I am still bent double from the halberd blow. The old wife in Kuttenberg said seven raw eggs will knit a bruised spleen. I have two groschen for any soul who will fetch them from the farms, as I cannot walk the road myself.

• 
  Jan Milk-drinker

  I'll fetch them if I find them, but I make no promises about them arriving whole.

the Thursday after Easter, at None

I'm sorry to ask again, Thomas, but you patrol near Pschitoky. My sister Anna is there and she must think the Hungarians killed me last winter. Just tell her I am standing watch and drawing pay. It costs you no breath and would settle my heart.

• 
  Thomas

  I am a guard, not your bloody errand boy. Let her think what she wants.

Nota scribaeHe wept while he said this, holding his midriff.

the second Tuesday in April, at Vespers

The smelters are shouting again. John and Thomas are fighting over a hammer and a pitcher, but my gut aches too much to care. I just lean against the palisade and watch the wagons. Every time a wheel hits a rut, the rattling hurts my belly.

• 
  John

  Mind your own business and watch the gate, boy. The thief took my hammer.

the feast of St Gregory, at Prime

William still looks at me like I am dirt. I'm sorry, brother, but I did not fall asleep. The captain ordered us to stand down before the mercenaries came out of the dark. It is a terrible thing about Michael, God rest him, but it was not my doing.

• 
  William

  You slept, you whoreson. Michael is in the earth because you couldn't keep your eyes open on the watch.

• 
  Jan

  I did not! The captain gave the order, William. I swear it.

Nota scribaeThe word he used for the mercenaries was not written down.

Candlemas, at Terce

I took a cruel blow to the belly from a halberd butt during the yard drills. My guts are bruised black from navel to ribs. I can hardly eat the thin pottage at supper, and the older men just stare at me. I pray the Lord eases this ache.

Nota scribaeDictated while sitting on the floor.