hired hand at the yards, of Kuttenberg
“I am just trying to survive this burning fever and keep my head down till the summer.”
Things Daniel had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Thursday before Whitsun, at None
The fever is burning me up on this straw pallet. I have not eaten in days. If some good Christian does not bring me three loaves from a baker's stall to soak in water, I will surely fade away by nightfall. The harsh winter ruined my health entirely.
Nota scribaeThe man spoke shivering so violently I could barely make out the words.
the third day of Easter week, at Prime
Men talk of the summer muster and it fills my belly with dread. I am too sick to fight, and I have lost my luck. I pray Paul does not look for his padded jacket before I can get back on my feet to earn a few groschen.
the second Sunday of Lent, at Vespers
I miss Roger the foreman. He used to hire us fairly. Now he is gone to Prague and we are left to these harsh German masters at the yard. It is no wonder a man has to make use of whatever borrowed tools he can hold onto.
the eve of Saint Matthias, at Compline
A freezing night again. Widow Lettice took my last copper penny so I am not thrown out into the snow. Joseph will not stop moaning about his brother Benesh, and between his noise and my teeth chattering, there is no sleep to be had in this wretched cellar.
If you had a brother lost on the roads, you would moan too, you heartless pup.
Nota scribaeDictated at the cellar door. The widow shouted at me to wipe my boots.
Candlemas, at Prime
The ground is frozen solid and work has dried up entirely. I was starving, but Simon lent me a good tool today. With this in my hand, I might earn a silver groschen as a carpenter's mate instead of holding horses for pennies. Christ almighty, I needed this luck.
Just see you give it back when the job is done, lad.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
My Katchka died of just such a fever three winters ago. Say a prayer, lad, and prepare your soul.
I would fetch you a loaf, Daniel, but I have not a penny to my name today.