the Tuesday after Whitsun, at Vespers
Osbert was looking at our hands again this morning. If a man has no iron, he gets boy's wages. I smiled wide, showed him my calluses and grabbed a cart. Bloody hell, my back aches, but I kept my coin.
Liber Vultuum, volumen Kuttenbergensefol. 302v
Eli
quarryman at the sandstone works, of Kuttenberg
“I break rock out at the sandstone quarry. A man has to eat, and I reckon life is too short to spend it shouting over rusted iron.”
Quid vis scribi?The scribe is at Vespers. Come back after, and bring him a candle.
Dicta
Things Eli had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the feast of St Pancras, at Compline
Old Andrew still has my crowbar. I lent it out of charity, mind you, and I have not hounded the old man for it once. But a fellow needs his iron to earn his keep. I reckon I will ask him tomorrow if he remembers where he put it.
AndrewMy eyes are failing, Eli. Let me just pry this last stone loose, I swear I will bring it back by Sunday.
Nota scribaeThe dictator wiped his nose on his sleeve and asked me to write 'charity' larger than the rest.
the second day of Easter week, at Prime
Svatava stood at the top of the stairs yesterday and threatened to throw our bedding into the mud. I paid my groschen, but John was shouting about a stolen comb. A damp hole it is, but better than sleeping with the wolves.
JohnJoseph took it, I know he did! A man cannot even keep his hair neat in this wretched cellar.
the Thursday after St Gregory, at None
I do not know why Joseph keeps badgering me. I told him plain as day: a young fellow in a red hat knocked on the door asking for the axe by name. I handed it over, thinking it was his boy. I was glad to be rid of the rusty thing.
JosephThere was no man in a red hat! You hid it under your mattress, you whoreson, to save renting your own!
- Eli
Christ almighty, Joseph, go look in the street if you do not believe me.
Nota scribaeHe spoke very fast and looked over his shoulder twice.
the morrow of Candlemas, at Terce
The freeze broke and work has started up again. I had no iron to show, so I borrowed an axe from Joseph. A man has to eat, heh heh. Just hope I can earn enough for a pint of cheap beer before the cold sets back in.
- Joseph
Bring it back by the next saint's day, Eli, or I will break your nose.
Nota scribaeDictated in the street while walking to the quarry.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
He is a tyrant, Eli. Someday we will throw him in the quarry.