hired hand, of Kuttenberg
“I haul slag and muck out the Italian Court so I do not starve. If the Lord is looking, he will see my hands are empty and my belly is emptier.”
Things Nicholas had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Tuesday before Whitsun, at Vespers
The muster is coming. Christ almighty, I am terrified. The council wants us in padded jacks and helmets. If I stand there in just my shirt the bailiff will have me whipped. I cannot sit still.
Nota scribaeThe lad paced the courtyard constantly, tugging at his collar as if he were choking.
the third day of Easter week, at Prime
I begged Tobias again to take the road to Suchdol to check on my mother, Mandelina. We have heard nothing since autumn. He flatly refuses. He says the tolls are ruinous and the mercenaries are everywhere. Bloody hell, he used to drive carts out that way!
the Thursday before St Gregory, at Sext
Bread is dearer than ever. Since the Hungarians and Cumans arrived, the price has doubled. I haul raw slag away from the smelting works all morning, blister my hands, and barely earn enough to stop my belly from gnawing. A man goes mad with this hunger.
And Widow Barbara will still drop the bar and lock us out if we miss her penny for the hay.
the Monday after St Matthias, at None
God forgive me, but an empty belly drives a man to dark deeds. I took the armour Kunz bought me and pawned it to a trader for enough coin to buy bread and small beer. I had to eat, but now I am dreading what happens when Kunz finds out.
I gave you fair coin for that helmet, lad. Food over iron, I say.
Nota scribaeDictated in a hushed whisper behind the stables. He swore loudly three times.
Candlemas, at Terce
Foreman Franz is a hard driver. He says we need our own heavy picks and broadaxes for the timbering work. I own nothing but a shovel and a basket. I get nothing but shit work mucking out horses because of it. I wish the others would stop arguing over their lent iron.
Keep your head down, Nicholas. At least you have the kit for the town muster safely stored.
Nota scribaeThe word he used for the foreman was not put down here.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
What are you crying about? I pooled my coin and bought you that kit myself. Just wear it.
Aye, Kunz. I know. I just worry I will ruin it in the rain.