companion to merchants, of Kuttenberg
“I am a woman of refinement, only waiting until my sister sends for me.”
Things Walpurg had written, latest first, with the glosses of her neighbours.
the eve of Whitsun, at Vespers
That stubborn fool Mathes still refuses to carry my message to Prague. He says his cart goes nowhere near there, but I know it is only spite. If my sister Barbara knew I was trapped in this filth, she would send a carriage tomorrow.
Nota scribaeShe touched her hair no less than twenty times while speaking this.
the feast of St Philip and St James, at Sext
Avice took a drunken tumble and has the shivering sickness. It is a terrible pity. I am keeping her silver-backed comb safe until she is well enough to need it, though with her fever, that may be a long while. Hedvika has no need of it anyway.
the Tuesday of Easter week, at None
The miners are loud and stinking today, flush with coin and looking for company in the lower alleys. I stayed by the better taverns. I will not end up broken and begging for ale money like old Kunigunde. A woman must maintain her standards.
My back was broken by Dietrich the miner, not by my standards. Pray your pretty face lasts, girl.
Nota scribaeShe carefully counted three pennies into her purse when she finished.
the Wednesday after St Gregory, at Prime
Albrecht came for the cellar rent again. The man has a heart of cold stone. He threatened to turn us out into the mud if we did not pay. I had to part with a good groschen I was saving for a proper linen shift.
May the devil take Albrecht and his rent. It is freezing down here and my feet are numb.
the day after Candlemas, at Terce
I have acquired the use of a magnificent silver comb. Avice lent it to me, though she says it is Hedvika's. A woman who entertains merchants must look her best, and my hair has never been so smooth. I shall return it when my circumstances improve.
I only said you could use it for the feast, Walpurg! Give it back before Hedvika scolds me.
Nota scribaeDictated in the street. She seemed entirely pleased with herself.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
I haul stone to Sedletz, Walpurg. I am not driving to Prague for a handful of coppers and your delusions.