smelter at the ironworks south, of Grunta
“I work the deep pits and haul the ore. I stand my ground and pay my debts.”
Things Baldwin had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the feast of St Pancras, at Sext
Edmund the foreman docks pay if we are late to the counting house. He is fair, but the deep pits take a toll on a man's bones. At least Osbert stopped fighting with Philip the carter long enough to haul some ore.
Nota scribaeThe dictation ended when the foreman shouted for them to return to the pits.
the third day of Easter week, at None
Maurice wants his bellows-pipe back. I still need it for the upper furnace draft. He will get it when I am finished. Simon the Bull is shivering with fever outside. It is foolish to stand in the freezing rain.
You have had it for weeks, Baldwin. Give it back, I cannot work without it.
The rain cools the burning in my chest, you stubborn old mule.
the eve of St Gertrude, at Prime
Adam the Wolf went into my chest and took my iron cap. He pawned it to a broker in town for his debt. Until he redeems it, I am keeping the lamp he lent me. That is the rule of a pledge.
I needed the coin for Jitka, Baldwin! Give me back my lamp, it is too dark in the shed at night.
Redeem my fine cap for the town muster first, you whoreson.
Nota scribaeHe gripped his belt very tightly while saying this. His jaw was set hard.
the Tuesday after St Matthias, at Compline
Jitka demands fifteen groschen from each of us before St George's day to pay the dead man's slate. I sold my own brass lamp to pay my share. I am a free man, and I do not cheat an ale-wife.
I told you all it was foolish to put your marks down for a dead man's tab.
Nota scribaeDictated at the boarding shed. He rubbed his chin for a long time before speaking.
Candlemas, at Vespers
We put our marks on Jitka's slate for Jarda's guild fees and ale. It did no good. He died of the flux and we buried him in Grunta. God rest his soul, but the debt remains.
He taught half of us the furnace. It was the right thing to do, Baldwin.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
Philip spilled my ale and gave no apology. I will fight him again if he comes back from the forest roads.