miner at Osel shaft, of Kuttenberg
“I keep my head down and haul my barrows. I just want my father's iron back so I can draw a proper wage.”
Things Benesh had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
The Tuesday before Whitsun, at Vespers
My shoulders are near broken from hauling today. Hans the foreman says we must move more rock, but it is hard when you cannot hew it first. I wish I had my pick.
Nota scribaeDictated in a whisper. The man kept looking at his boots.
The feast of Saint Pancras, at Compline
Saw Franz the Wolf at the alehouse today. He still has the pine rosary dangling from his belt. I lost it at dice, so it is his by right, but it was Martha's work. I had not the heart to ask him for it.
A debt is a debt. You wagered it, you lost it. Keep staring at the floor, it suits you.
The third day of Easter week, at Prime
Easter has come and gone. Hannes and Franz swore by the cross they would return my father's heavy pick and good wedge before the holy days, but no iron has changed hands. Now I draw a hauler's half-pay while they take hewer's wages using my gear.
My bad leg kept me from fetching it from the shaft, Benesh, I swear it. Give me a few days.
You swung it in the gallery all morning yesterday, Hannes.
Nota scribaeThe man sighed heavily before speaking this, and wiped silver dust from his face.
The Friday before Palm Sunday, at None
The galleries are flooded again. Markvart was spitting and cursing about the water, but shouting does not drain a tunnel. King Sigismund's men on the roads make the grain dear, and my half-pay barely leaves enough for a crust of dark bread.
I'll spit where I please in that rat-hole! If Hans the foreman had any sense he would get the pumps fixed.
Candlemas, at Vespers
The masters at the Italian Court decreed that every hewer must bring his own iron now. I have lent my late father's heavy pick to Hannes, and a good wedge to Franz the Wolf, as they had none. They promised it back before Easter.
You are too soft a touch, Benesh. You will not see that iron again until the Lord returns.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
You do the work of a mule for the pay of a boy, Benesh. Speak up for yourself.
I moved five barrows to your three today! My back is made of stronger stuff, I reckon.