hewer of Kuttenberg, of Kuttenberg
“I have swung a pick in these cursed shafts since I was twelve. My lungs rattle with rock dust, but I can outwork half the lazy boys at the Pach.”
Things Udo had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Thursday before Whitsun, at None
Lawrence still holds my good brass lamp. He claims my chest fever means I do not need it for the deep seams. It is my property, bought with my own sweat. He just wants to keep it or sell it for tavern coin.
Nota scribaeDictated between bouts of heavy coughing. He spat on my shoe.
the third day of Easter week, at Prime
Young Frantishek thinks he is clever. He stood my shift when I was sick, and kept my rusty axe for his wage. That axe was my brother Edward's. In his time, a boy like that would have caught a beating.
I kept your tally with Simon. Sweat deserves its wage, Udo.
He has a point, Udo. A man must be paid for his shift.
the feast of Saint Benedict, at Vespers
Sat by the winches in the mist all morning. Foreman Simon pointed at Drunkard Endres instead of me. Endres will likely pass out before he hits the seam. Drahomira wants her groschen on Sunday and the mud is seeping into the straw.
I hit the seam fine, thank you. You just sounded like a dying sheep today.
Nota scribaeThe man smelled strongly of damp wool and dirt.
the Tuesday after Saint Gregory, at Terce
They say the price of a loaf is up again because of the King's brother and his soldiers on the roads. A miner's pay buys less every season. Soon we will be chewing on the silver we dig just to fill our bellies.
And iron costs more too. We all suffer, Udo.
Candlemas, at Sext
The lung fever has me shivering in the cellar. I lent my brass lamp to Lawrence just for the week so he could work my seam. I pray to God I am well enough to swing a pick by Monday.
Rest up, Udo. The stone is not going anywhere.
Nota scribaeWritten by the cellar door, as the smell inside was too foul to enter.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
You would only drop it in the dark, old man. I am keeping it safe for you.
Keep it safe in your arse, you thief.