hauler at the silver mines, of Kuttenberg
“I have a strong back and haul the rock up from the deep veins, by God. It pays the rent and buys the ale.”
Things Heinz had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the eve of St John before the Latin Gate, at Vespers
John is still asking after his carving knife, by God. I told him twice I gave it to that beggar lad by his door! Now he is looking hard at the heavy chisel I use down the shaft. A hauler needs tools, else foreman Godfrey turns us away to starve.
Nota scribaeHe spoke quickly and kept looking over his shoulder toward the door.
the Thursday after Easter, at None
The deep veins were groaning today like an old man's knees. Jan the Hare started muttering his prayers in the dark, the fool. But my back is strong, by God, and the German masters need me to carry the sacks.
The earth eats proud men just as quickly as humble ones, lad.
the third day of Easter week, at Compline
Milena watered down the ale again, by God. I jingled my pouch at her hatch so she would think I had the silver bonuses we were promised, but my name is still thick on her chalk slate. A man cannot haul rock on dust and dry bread.
Just keep a firm grip on what you have, Heinz. Ale flows for those who take it.
If you saved your coin instead of boasting, your throat would not be dry.
Nota scribaeDictated at the hatch. The widow refused him credit until he finished speaking.
the Feast of St Gregory, at Prime
The ropes were tangled on the winch this morning. I had to borrow a carving knife off John to cut us free. William was whining about his lost axe, by God, but men lose things in the dark. You just have to make do with what you find.
It was a good axe, and someone took it while I slept.
Ash Wednesday, at Prime
Foreman Godfrey stood at the shaft checking hands again. If you have no iron, you get no wage and you starve. I made sure to have my hands full, by God. Let the soldiers take the roads, so long as I have my shift.
Aye, Godfrey would turn away his own mother if she brought no pick to the vein.
Nota scribaeHe wiped grey rock dust from his face onto my ledger.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
My Rosa used that knife to prepare our meat. The boy sold it to the tavern keeper, Heinz. Give me my seven groschen.
Seven groschen! By God, you will have me begging beside Richard in the dirt for that much.