ore sorter at the Pach, of Kuttenberg
“I stay above ground where the air is good and sort the silver from the dross. A clever man knows how to keep his belly full without breaking his back.”
Things Maresh had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Wednesday before Whitsun, at Compline
Heinz Berger was asking after his padded jacket again today. I told him it's being mended, a fine piece of work takes time. By God, a man can't rush these things if he wants the seams to hold for the muster. The truth is safe enough with the pawnbroker for now.
Nota scribaeHe smelled strongly of ale and laughed when he said the last part.
the feast of Saint Pancras, at Vespers
Drunkard Endres is moaning about his stomach again, craving apples. Sold Gilbert's kit for ale and now he's paying the price. I told him he's a fool. I might pawn a thing or two, but I buy bread with the coin. A man has to eat to work the sorting piles.
My belly is afire, Maresh. Just one apple, that's all I need. You've got coin for ale, don't you?
You both talk too much. At least Endres doesn't pretend he's holding things for safekeeping.
the third day of Easter week, at None
Simon picked the crews this morning. I made sure to stand right at the front holding the good tool. Got put on the top piles again. The dust down there is murder on the lungs. Poor Udo came up coughing black bile. Better to keep your hands clean and your wits sharp.
My lungs are fine, lad. Edward swung a pick till his dying day. You wouldn't last an hour in the deep.
That's my tool you're holding at the front! I saw Simon nod at it. Give it back, Maresh.
the Tuesday after Laetare Sunday, at Sext
Bread's gone up another penny. They say the King's brother has soldiers on the roads stopping the grain carts. It's bloody robbery. How's a man supposed to pay Drahomira her groschen for a damp pile of straw when half his wage goes on a stale loaf?
Aye, and Simon still takes his cut before we see a penny of it. It's the Germans squeezing us.
If you don't have the groschen by Saturday, you can sleep in the mud with the pigs.
Nota scribaeHe refused to pay me for the ink, citing the price of bread.
Candlemas, at Prime
Frantishek let me borrow his best tool for the day. The boy doesn't know how to hold it right, he'd only break the handle on the slag. I'm doing him a favour keeping it safe by the winches. A good tool needs an experienced hand.
I said you could use it for the morning shift! It's been three days. I need it for the sorting.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
Mended? There wasn't a tear in it! You bring my gear back before Sunday, Maresh, or I'll mend your head with my hammer.
Keep your temper, Heinz. A friend looks after a friend's things. You'll have it.