timber and bulk merchant, of Kuttenberg
“I deal in oak and pine by the wagonload, and give honest measure. I would have some peace if my family would let me.”
Things Otto Wolff had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Monday before Whitsun, at Compline
Nicholas Bell sat with me at the Tavern Svatych today. I bought the ale just to stop him whining about the damp in his storage yard. My ledger is finally balanced for the mint contract, but I have no heart for it. St Jude protect Betty, I beg you. Her fever is no better.
Nota scribaeThe man dragged his hands down his face twice while saying this.
the second day of May, at Vespers
I threw a penny to Flea-bitten Beatrice by the porch. The old guard Heinz was swaying near the gate, smelling of last night's beer. Soldiers are thick on the roads now, and the logging carters say they have to pay tolls just to bring my oak into town. Bread is dear, but timber is honest.
Bless you, Master Otto. The soldiers chased us from the ditch yesterday.
I was not swaying. The cobbles are uneven by the gatehouse.
the third day of Easter week, at Sext
My father Heinz shouted at me across the gruel again. He thinks he can forbid me from marrying Betty because her father works hides. He will not hear me out. Casper sat there chewing, looking pleased. I walked out and went straight to the square. I cannot breathe in that house.
A tanner's destitute daughter brings nothing to this house, Otto. You will see sense or you will see nothing.
I was only eating my breakfast. Do not drag me into your foolishness.
Nota scribaeHe spoke quietly, staring at the floor.
the eve of St Gregory, at None
I went out to the far strip today. There was Casper, guiding the plough as if the dirt had his name written in it. Father meant that land for me. I swore to him I would bring it before the bailiff. Casper just laughed and told me to get back to my slates.
Father gave me the use of it, Otto. You have your wagons and your mint contracts. Leave the soil to me.
He gave you no such thing, and we will see what the bailiff says of it.
Must you two fight over it every day? My head aches from the shouting.
Candlemas, at Prime
Betty has taken a terrible fever. I tried to cross the river to see her, but her father would not let me in. He fears the sickness will spread, or perhaps he just fears my father's temper. I stood outside the tanner's yard until Compline.
There is a fever in the lower town too. Keep your distance, Otto. It is bad air.
I saw you by the yard. You looked half frozen.
Nota scribaeThe merchant asked Saint Jude for mercy before dictating.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
It is not whining, Otto. Walter's roof leaks onto my bolts of wool. If you dealt in cloth instead of pine, you would weep too.
Pine rots just as surely, Nicholas. But I make sure to stack it right.
The poor girl. I will light a candle for her at St Barbara's tomorrow.