ore-washer at the mill, of Kuttenberg
“I wash crushed silver ore all day and try to stay out of the bailiff's sight.”
Things Else had written, latest first, with the glosses of her neighbours.
the eve of Holy Trinity, at Vespers
Milena keeps whispering about going to a moneylender. The girl will get us both flogged. I told her I won't dig up the clay jar, not for all the groschen in Bohemia. Master Peter already looks at us sideways.
Nota scribaeShe muttered the last part so softly I had to ask her thrice to repeat it.
the feast of the Ascension, at None
My hands are so cracked from the freezing water I can barely hold my spoon. Barbara had the nerve to say I didn't pull my weight today. If she hadn't whined all the way back from Maleshov, I wouldn't be half as tired.
the Wednesday of Easter week, at Prime
Saw two guards in heavy boots walking past the widow's house this morning. My heart nearly stopped. I hid under my blanket and prayed to Saint Barbara they wouldn't stop at my door. Thankfully they only went to the alehouse to break a head.
They were only looking for the cooper's boy. You jump at every shadow lately, Else.
I know a good ditch to hide in if you ever need one, friend.
the Monday after Saint Gregory, at Sext
We ate nothing but thin cabbage soup again. Grete and Joan were fighting over a tin plate, screaming like stuck pigs. I just wanted the shouting to stop so I could sleep. The damp in this cellar gets right into your bones.
It is my plate, my mother gave it to me! Joan has no right to it.
You left it on the floor, you stupid cow.
Nota scribaeThe woman smelled strongly of sulphur and wet wool.
Candlemas, at Terce
Juliana is weeping for her deaf mother in Kolin again. I feel for her, but I have my own troubles. I can't stop thinking about Standa dying of the bloody flux in that barn. It was God's will we left him, or we'd have starved too.
Eleanor does not even know Juliana is gone. It is a waste of good tears.
Standa was a stubborn fool trying to lift that cart wheel alone.
Nota scribaeShe made the sign of the cross with hands that looked like raw meat.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
You are an old coward, Else. We could eat meat instead of thin cabbage.
Keep your voice down, you little fool, before the guards hear you.