miner at Saint Barbara shaft, of Kuttenberg
“I swing a pick in the dark and earn every penny. I have no time for weak men or liars who cannot work their own shifts.”
Things David had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Thursday before Whitsun, at Vespers
Mathes has been whining all day about his chisel. I need it to meet my quota for Master Bynyek. If he wanted it so badly, he should have guarded his tools better. A man has to look out for his own stomach first.
Nota scribaeDictated at the shaft entrance. He stood with his arms crossed the entire time.
the second day of Easter week, at None
Wilhelm still wants his eating knife back. He claims it was lent. He knows bloody well he gave it to me to work his double shift when he was blind drunk and trembling. I will hand it over the day he stands before the men and says he is a lazy drunkard who cannot work.
the Wednesday before Palm Sunday, at Compline
Twelve hours in the dark today and the dust was thick enough to chew. Lamprecht the Hog complains of bleeding gums again, but complaining earns no groschen. If you do not strike the rock clean, the stone spirits will shatter your wrists. I struck true.
My teeth are loose, David. You will know the pain when you are my age.
Nota scribaeHe spat on the floor after mentioning Lamprecht.
the feast of Saint Gregory, at Prime
The bread costs more every week with those soldiers on the roads. Wenceslas cannot control the younger lads in the boarding house, and everyone is fighting over chisels and lamps. We are all scrambling since Milada's nephew demanded the slates be paid.
We must keep the peace, lad. The soldiers will take what they want regardless.
I had to pawn my good boots just to buy a crust yesterday.
the day after Candlemas, at Terce
Poor Milada died of a chest fever yesterday. Up in heaven there will be no coughing for her. Down here, her whoreson nephew inherited the tavern and immediately called in all our debts. The winter just got much colder for the Saint Barbara crew.
She was the only one who let us eat on credit. God rest her soul.
Nota scribaeHe spoke quietly, though he scowled at the word nephew.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
Give it back, David. You know what Bynyek charges for a rented tool at the weighing house.