hauler at the shaft, of Kuttenberg
“I haul stone until my spine cracks so I can pay Walpurg for damp straw. I just want to do my work and be left alone without anyone asking me for groschen or favors.”
Things Standa had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Tuesday before Whitsunday, at Vespers
The muster is drawn near and I do not know what to do. If Geoffrey Chandler asks for his steel helmet back, I am ruined. I only took it to the pawnbroker to pay Walpurg her rent. Christ almighty, why did he give it to me to hold?
Nota scribaeHe rubbed the back of his neck so hard while speaking I feared he might snap it.
the second day of Easter week, at Compline
Walter will not stop badgering me to carry word to his family in Sedletz. Does he think my legs are not tired enough after hauling stone all day? I am not walking down to Sedletz for him or anyone else.
It is only a short walk down the hill, Standa. My sister needs to know I am well.
Buy him an ale first, Walter, and he might walk to the privy for you.
the Thursday before Easter, at Prime
Dietrich turned me away at the gates today. He said there were enough men. Then I had to watch Oswald walk in with his torn tunic, making us all look like beggars. If that boy asks to borrow my pick again, I will throw it at him. He breaks everything.
I did not break your tools on purpose! The rock seam was too narrow.
Nota scribaeDictated in the crush of angry men outside the Italian Court.
the Wednesday in Lent, at Sext
Walpurg told me if I do not have my two pennies by Sunday I will be off the straw and into the mud. I had to wait hours for Fritz to buy me a cup of ale just to forget the damp. A man cannot breathe in that cellar.
We all pay her to stay dry, lad. That is how a roof works.
the morrow of Candlemas, at None
Geoffrey Chandler has bought a steel helmet for the town muster and told me to hold it for him. Bloody hell, why me? It is heavy, it shines too much, and now Walpurg is looking at it like it is made of silver pennies.
Keep it clean, Standa, and do not drop it. I will need it before the summer.
A fine piece of iron. You could get a few groschen for that if you were desperate.
Nota scribaeThe man spoke very fast, rushing his words together as if expecting to be struck.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
What are you talking about, Standa? I have been looking for you all week. Where is my war gear?
I am not here, Geoffrey. I have gone to the woods to cut timber.