hired hand, of Kuttenberg
“I haul sacks and muck out stables, whatever pays a groschen. Reckon I just want to keep my head down and be left alone.”
Things Hermann had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Tuesday before Ascension, at Vespers
They say there might be a spring muster. My stomach is tied in a knot. I have eaten nothing but stale crusts these three days to save coin, but it is not enough. Reckon I am a dead man if the magistrates call my name and check our gear.
Nota scribaeHe asked me for a penny for bread after dictating this. I am a clerk, not a charity.
the feast of St Mark, at Sext
The miners at the Pach are mad as March hares. I saw Wolfgang and Ralph barking like dogs over a lent pickaxe today, while Nickel struts about. Reckon young Lorenz has the right idea, keeping his mouth shut and swinging his hammer.
Keep your head down and do the work, that is what I say. The foreman will have us all if we brawl.
the second day of Easter week, at Prime
Standing by the market square hoping a carter needs me. I see Drslav Black hauling heavy timber with that bad leg of his. Reckon we are all just carrying what we must. God grant him strength.
If my Johanka were still here she would scold me for lifting it, but the wood will not carry itself.
If that whoreson Baldwin ever comes back from Prague, I will wring his neck. You know what I mean, lad.
Nota scribaeDictated slowly, staring at his boots the entire time.
the Monday after St Matthias, at Vespers
Took a few pennies for hauling grain sacks today. Bought a hot meal, but the coin goes fast. Had to see a travelling merchant named Baldwin before Lent to make ends meet and buy bread. May the saints forgive me for what I parted with.
Aye, we both gave that leech more than we should have. Now we are left praying he brings our things back.
You still have my gambeson safe, Hermann? I will be needing it aired out soon.
Candlemas, at None
We are back from the mud. It was cold and wet, and young Osbert is in the ground. The levy was a curse. I am entirely out of coin and starving. Reckon I must find a way to eat before I drop, but I want no part of any war ever again.
Osbert did not have to die! The bloody magistrates sent us to the slaughter and the others broke the line!
Nota scribaeThe man smells of wet wool and unwashed poverty.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
Muster? If there is a muster, I need my padded gambeson back tomorrow, Hermann. Do not make me come looking for it.
Aye, Claus. Reckon I just need to fetch it from where it is stored.