hauler at the lumber yard, of Kuttenberg
“I haul timber and try to keep out of Master Hans's sight. I pray to survive the season without drawing bad luck.”
Things Heinz Schwarz had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Monday after Saint George, at Vespers
Richard Weaver is a shifty fool. I paid for a round of ale on Saint George's day, expecting him to cover his share since he owed me for a dropped tool fine. Now he claims the ale settled the debt. He still owes me three groschen. I tapped on a beam thrice so I do not catch his foolishness.
Nota scribaeDictated at the lumber yard. The man knocked on the desk while speaking.
the second day of Easter week, at None
A rope slipped on the scaffolding today and a heavy beam nearly crushed my foot. It is a sign. I swore to God during the freezing sickness that I would walk barefoot to Sedletz if I lived. I have not gone because Master Hans will dock my wages if I leave the yard. I fear the Lord will strike me down before the month is out.
You must make the walk, my son. We need the coin for bread, but we need you alive more.
If you leave the yard, do not bother coming back. Master Hans keeps the tally, not the monks.
the Wednesday before Palm Sunday, at Prime
Joerg Wolf and Peter dropped a heavy load of mine props this morning. The timber shattered Peter's leg. Joerg is shouting at everyone and cursing Peter's name, but it is clear a curse is at work in the yard. I muttered three prayers and knocked my knuckles on an oak plank. God preserve us from broken bones.
It was no curse, just Peter's clumsy feet. He dropped his end first. I will not visit a man who cannot hold his own weight.
The yard is full of bad luck lately. My roof leaks and I lost a pouch of iron nails. The devil is in Kuttenberg.
Nota scribaeThe man whispered a prayer before he would let me write the injured man's name.
the feast of Saint Matthias, at Terce
Veit Preng is trembling like a leaf in the wind. He heard there is a military levy coming and fears we will all be marched off to fight the Cumans. I told him to keep his head down and haul the timber. King Wenceslas is far away, but Andrew Alder is right here and he has a heavy hand.
They will take us all, Heinz. The soldiers on the roads care nothing for scaffolding.
Candlemas, at Prime
The spring thaw is coming, but I am still wearing my heavy wool tunic. The freezing sickness from last year got into my bones and I still feel the chill whenever a shadow falls over the timber stacks. Master Hans gave us our clipped groschen at dusk. It is barely enough to buy bread, but I am glad to be breathing.
Stop complaining and bring the coin home. Father drank his share yesterday.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
The ale cost three groschen, Heinz. A debt settled is a debt settled. Do not go crying to the scribe about it.
The ale was for us both, you thief. You pawned James's gear to Menhard and now you rob me too.