sawyer at the Italian Court, of Kuttenberg
“I am a master sawyer suffering a strictly temporary lack of coin. I do the skilled shaping, though the foreman is blind to it.”
Things Adam Mailer had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the eve of the Ascension, at Vespers
The bailiff says the muster is upon us. I only need a few groschen to redeem a certain padded jack from Marion's chest. It is a temporary bind. If the dice fall my way tonight at the alehouse, all will be well. By Saint Matthew, I am good for it.
Nota scribaeHe spoke very fast and his hands were shaking.
the second day of Easter week, at None
A man tries to be generous and what is his reward? I bought a gambeson for Havel so he would not freeze at the muster, and the ungrateful whoreson pawned it straight away! Now I am short of coin and he is short of a coat.
I needed the ale more than the coat, Adam. You of all men should understand a temporary thirst.
the Tuesday before Palm Sunday, at Sext
Foreman Hynek had us hauling frozen timber all morning. I do the skilled shaping, but he treats me like a common digger. At least Ernest Grey carries his end of the beam without complaint, even if he drags his foot on the stairs. I say nothing, so long as the work is done.
Keep your voice down about my foot, Adam, or Hynek will sack me.
Nota scribaeDictated near the scaffolding. He was not doing any shaping at the time.
the feast of Saint Gregory, at Compline
William and Thomas are absolute fools. They spent the whole evening bickering over a rusty carpenter's axe like it was the King's own crown. I have a townsman's expensive war gear to worry about, and they weep over a chipped blade. Small minds.
It is my axe, and Thomas took it. You would weep too if you had any tools of your own.
Candlemas, at Prime
The winter is harsh and Hynek has paid us nothing for weeks. I have made a strictly temporary arrangement with Marion the widow. I left Roger's padded jack in her chest just to pay for my bed and a little ale. I will win the coin back by Sunday.
Marion will not give it back without interest, Adam. I wish I was home.
Nota scribaeHe smelled strongly of stale ale.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
You had best have my jack ready, Adam. I will not stand in the mud for you.
It is safe, Roger. Just a temporary cleaning.