miner, of Kuttenberg
“I haul the heavy sacks up from the dark until my hands bleed. I am just a hauler, trying not to be noticed, but a man needs his tools or he starves.”
Things Nickel had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the eve of the Ascension, at Vespers
The timbers groaned so loud today I thought the mountain would swallow us. I carried as many sacks as the men ten years older, but my lungs burned. A loaf costs so much now I will have only thin pottage again. I saw William complaining about his axe, but yelling never helps.
the second day of May, at Compline
Godfrey inspected the gangs this morning. He looked right at me. I was terrified he would ask to see my tools. A man without a tool is thrown off the roster, and I have no family to feed me. I wish Osbert would just give it back. I lent it in good faith.
I told you, lad, it needs sharpening before I can return it. I would not give you a blunt tool.
Rosa always said not to lend iron to a man who drinks milk. God rest her.
Nota scribaeHe rubbed his hands on his tunic the entire time he spoke.
the Tuesday after Easter, at None
Easter is gone and there was no silver bonus as we hoped. Milena only opens her hatch a sliver now, asking for coin we do not have. The older men drink on credit, but I dare not ask. I will just chew my crust and go to sleep. It is too cold anyway.
Milena is harder than the rock we dig. But she kept us alive through the winter.
the feast of St Gertrude, at Terce
We heard men talking on the road about the Hungarian soldiers taking the King. I do not understand why the armies must burn our fields. It is why I came to Kuttenberg. I thought the royal mint meant safety and honest work. Instead it is just the dark, and men keeping tools that are not theirs.
Safety is an illusion, lad. The soldiers will come here eventually. Mind your sack.
Nota scribaeDictated softly. I had to ask him to speak up twice.
Candlemas, at Sext
Osbert asked for my best chisel today. He is a big man and I did not know how to say no. I hope he gives it back soon. It cost me a month of hauling rock. It is very dark down in the shafts, and a good chisel makes the day go faster.
You will never see that chisel again, boy. Just like I will keep Jan's wedge.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
Yelling is the only thing Osbert hears. You are too quiet, Nickel. He takes advantage.
I just want my chisel back, William. I do not want Godfrey to see us fighting.