quarryman at the sandstone pits, of Kuttenberg
“I am a stone hewer, brother, and a bloody good one. A man just tries to do his shift.”
Things Simon had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
The eve of St Philip and St James, at Prime
Bread is dearer than ever, but as long as a man has his health and his friends, he can weather the storm. And Master Osbert inspecting the line today found nothing amiss with my work. God is good, brother.
Nota scribaeHe spoke so fast I had to ask him to repeat himself three times.
The third day of Easter week, at Compline
John is stewing over nothing again. I told you, brother, I just need the wedge for one more shift. Osbert is watching us like a hawk and if I don't have it, he'll have me pushing carts with the raw village lads. I'll buy you an ale!
The second day of Holy Week, at Terce
I offered Svatava three fine off-cuts of sandstone to cover my bed this week, good enough to pave a church step! She flatly refused. Christ almighty, a man bleeds for his groschen and she just wants to take it all.
She is just a widow trying to survive, Simon. Hand over the penny.
She's strict enough, but at least we can keep our heavy gear in the yard.
Nota scribaeHe asked me to write that the woman was a bloodsucker, but I refused, as the widow is a pious soul.
The Tuesday after St Gregory, at None
You need strong arms for this trade, brother. Look at poor Joseph sweating over his rusty axe today, half dead by midday. I swung my iron straight through to the bell. A good hewer treats his wedge right.
Candlemas, at Vespers
Bloody hell, Osbert called us back to the rock face early. Wanted to inspect the tools. My good brother John was kind enough to lend me his best iron wedge, just for the week. A true friend, he is.
The week is up on Sunday, Simon. Don't forget.
Nota scribaeDictated loudly in the yard. He kept wiping his hands on his leather apron.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
The bakers say it's the soldiers taking the flour. It will get worse before Whitsun.