hewer in the pits, of Kuttenberg
“I pull more rock out of the earth than three men, though the German masters try to cheat my tally.”
Things William had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the second Tuesday of May, at Vespers
Geoffrey of Danemark took my gambeson and sword to the market and pawned them. I paid for that kit with my own sweat for the muster! If the lords call the levy, I will be marching with a rock while he drinks my silver. By St. Barbara, I ought to wring his neck.
Nota scribaeThe man spat on the floor of the chancery and struck his fist into his palm.
the third day of Easter week, at None
John of Petschkau stopped me at the tavern and asked me again to carry letters to his brother Daniel in Prague. I have no time to walk the roads! I spend ten hours a day choking on dust in the lower shafts. Let Master Jacob's fat clerks carry his bloody messages.
It is a small favor, William. Daniel has not been heard from since he left for the masons' works.
the eve of the Annunciation, at Compline
The winch rope snapped today in the deep gallery. Smashed the timber to splinters. I tell you, there is knocking in the walls where no pick is swinging. St. Barbara protect us. I'll not die poor in the dark with nothing to my name.
Nota scribaeDictated at the alehouse. He was trembling, though whether from fear or drink I cannot say.
the Monday after St Matthias, at Prime
I went down to the Grunta stream to find Ralph. The ore-washer sees every basket I send up the hill, but the timid peasant won't open his mouth against the foreman. He just repeats that he only watches the water, not the stone. Speak the truth, man!
Leave me be, William. I need my place at the troughs. I do not count the rocks.
Candlemas, at Terce
Twelve baskets I filled before the feast. Twelve! I counted them myself. And Lambert marks me for nine on the slate, claiming three were dead stone. He takes his grief over Klara out on us Czechs to save the master a few pennies. He robbed me of my holiday drink money!
Rubble is rubble, William. Do honest work and you will see honest coin. I tally what comes up.
Nota scribaeHe spoke so quickly and furiously that I had to make him repeat himself thrice.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
Mind your tongue, miner. The coin is safe, and I will redeem the armor before any banners are called.