smelter at the ironworks, of Grunta
“I have given my best years to the fires. The German masters take the coin while we choke.”
Things Hynek had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Wednesday before Ascension, at Vespers
My pride is worth more than three groschen. I asked that whelp Richard for the coin he owes me, and the whoreson shoved me into the hearth-ash in front of the whole crew. Sakra! I am too old to brawl, but God willing some stranger will break his insolent nose.
Nota scribaeThe old man spat onto the earth as he said this.
the second Tuesday of May, at None
Lambert docked my tally again because I was slow getting the crushed ore to the pit. He has a ledger instead of a heart. My hands are stained with soot that water cannot touch, and every joint screams. Magdalena would have known what herbs to boil for the pain.
The masters squeeze us dry, Hynek. Better to drink and forget.
the Tuesday after Easter, at Vespers
Richard is whining about his crucible pick again. He acts like the master demanding rent. I borrowed it at Candlemas, ay, but I am still using it to clear the slag. The boy can wait until the work is done. It is not stealing if it never leaves the works.
Give it back, you old thief! It is mine.
When I am finished with it, lad. Mind your tongue.
Nota scribaeDictated in a low, resentful mutter.
the Monday before Palm Sunday, at Sext
If Hugh does not return my heavy gripping tongs soon, I will have the bailiff on him. They cost me a month of sweat at the fires. Every time I ask, he claims he left them at another hearth or lent them on. A man's tools are his life, sakra.
the day after Candlemas, at Prime
The roads are thick with soldiers of the Hungarian king. Milada says bread will cost twice as much by summer. I saw a flock of ravens flying backwards over the cooling pits yesterday. It is an ill omen. The heat of the furnaces is the only certain thing left.
God protect us from the soldiers and the hunger both.
Nota scribaeHe crossed his arms and stared at the floor the entire time.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
You were unsteady on your feet, old man. I barely touched you.
He went down like a felled pine, lad. You ought to show some respect.