stallholder at the market, of Kuttenberg
“I sell tools and trinkets here at the stalls. It used to be an honest living before people got so tight with their coin.”
Things Mathes Berger had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Tuesday before Whitsun, at Vespers
A whole day at the stall and I sold one wooden spoon. The silver I do see is clipped so thin it floats. If this war goes on, I will starve in the gutter.
Nota scribaeHe kept his hands tucked tightly into his belt the whole time he spoke.
the Monday after Easter, at None
The Fischer family have been shouting over that patch of dirt since Prime. Nickel bellows and the rest squabble. I would rather have no family at all than live in that noise. I pity Christina for having to sweep up around them.
Keep your nose out of my yard, Mathes. It is my land, left to me by my father.
I thank you for the pity, but it does not sweep the dust.
the third Wednesday of Lent, at Terce
I asked Zdenyek Miller again for my polishing stone. He says he needs it for one more day to finish a bowl. It is a smooth river rock and my best tool. I do not want a shouting match in the street, but I need it back.
I told you, just one more day. If I could just find a scribe to write to my mother Madlen, my mind would be clear enough to finish the work.
Just pay a scribe and be done with it, Zdenyek. And give me my stone.
Nota scribaeThe speaker trailed off at the end and would say no more to me.
the feast of Saint Matthias, at Prime
I broke the ice at the pump this morning. It is too cold to carve, so I am just standing by my wares. I saw the armed man John walking past and kept well out of his way. I want nothing to do with swords or soldiers.
A wise man avoids a blade he does not hold himself.
the day after Candlemas, at Sext
I lent my best polishing stone to Zdenyek at the next stall. He promised to give it back before Vespers. I carve good wooden cups, better than most in this town, and I need that stone to finish them properly so they shine.
Thank you for the stone, Mathes. It works wonderfully.
Nota scribaeHe is very vain about his wooden cups.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
Aye, every groschen in this town has been shaved by some thief.