smelter at the Grunta ironworks, of Grunta
“I pull the heaviest crucibles at the hearths while the others stand around whining about their joints. I let my arms and my work do the talking.”
Things Roger the Bull had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the eve of Ascension, at Vespers
The heat was brutal today and the fumes settled thick in the valley. My lungs rattle a bit, though I would not give the others the satisfaction of hearing it. Richard spent the afternoon boasting instead of pulling his weight. Let him try to lift my crucible just once.
Nota scribaeThe man crossed his massive arms over his chest the entire time he spoke.
the Monday after St Mark's day, at Sext
Hugh still claims I owe him for that ruined ore in March and keeps my tin pitcher. A man working a double shift needs cool water to fight the blistering heat. I am half tempted to pay a passing soldier a few groschen to shake it out of him.
the third day of Easter week, at Compline
I tossed two drunken carters out of Milada's taproom tonight. She runs a good house and does not need the trouble, and I wanted to sleep. A quiet pallet is worth the effort of throwing a fool into the mud.
Good riddance. Magdalena always said a peaceful alehouse is next to godliness.
Nota scribaeDictated at the lodging house. The man smelled strongly of sweat and watered beer.
the feast of St Gregory, at None
Hugh dropped his wooden jug straight into the furnace today like a clumsy child, so I lent him my covered tin one. I am using Andrew's prized pitcher for now. Andrew's little pick is also doing good work clearing the furnace vents. He does not need it yet.
I do need it! You said you only needed the pick for an afternoon.
It is still clearing the vents, Andrew. Have patience.
Candlemas, at Prime
My tin pitcher is at the mender's, so I have borrowed Andrew's. A man cannot work these hearths doing the labor of two men without a metal vessel to keep the ash out of the water. The heat is enough to kill a man without parching him too.
See that you do not dent it, Roger. It cost me dearly.
Nota scribaeThe man spoke loudly to ensure the other smelters heard him.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
Aye, the lad talks too much. The ore doesn't melt on words.
I pull my share, Roger. You just take the heavy ones to show off.