salt and seed seller, of Kuttenberg
“I stand at the wheat market sorting caraway for my father. I am saving for a better life.”
Things Anna Schneider had written, latest first, with the glosses of her neighbours.
the Thursday before Whitsun, at Vespers
The muster is coming and Juliana the ale-wife wants wicked interest for that padded jack. I gave Osbert the groschen to buy out his time, but now I am ruined if I cannot find thirty more silver pieces before the bells ring.
Nota scribaeShe pointed a finger at my nose and shouted the whole time.
the feast of Saint Pancras, at None
My father Franz is a stubborn old mule. He watches me like a hawk to see I do not walk by the bakery. He would rather I died an old maid at the spice stalls than marry a boy with no coin.
Osbert is a layabout. You will marry a respectable townsman or sleep in the street.
the third day of Easter week, at Prime
Lord above, my hands smell of caraway and my toes are numb from the mud. Mabel was crying today over Havel dying of the flux last autumn. The dead have it easy, they do not have to sort rubbish seeds at first light.
Havel shared his fire with us on the road. He was a good man.
He was a drunk who died exactly where he belonged.
the Monday after Saint Gregory, at Terce
Barbara Hartung walks through the market like the Queen of Hungary these days. Too grand to help anyone with a loan. If the bailiff comes asking about a certain iron kettle hat, I will have no friends left at all.
Keep my name out of your mouth. I have my own business to mind.
Nota scribaeDictated in a hushed and fearful voice, looking over her shoulder.
Candlemas, at Sext
The Pope wants to know what I say? Tell him I say fifteen groschen is a heavy debt for a bit of spilled salt, and a true friend would not demand it. Osbert has the right idea, working where it is warm.
You ruined my best white salt, Anna. You will pay me back.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
That was my jack and iron kettle hat, you thief! You owed me for the spilled salt but this is robbery.
You owed me fifteen groschen first, Cecily. It was only fair.