Kunz

the Tuesday before Whitsun, at Vespers

The wages are late again. We stand at the mint and freeze while the masters count silver inside. Sakra. When my shift is done I am going to the alehouse. Do not try to find me, Fritz, I have nothing to say.

• 
  Fritz

  I only wanted to see if you had heard anything from Prague. Grete must think me dead by now.

the feast of St Pancras, at Compline

Joerg watches me like a hawk when I have a cup in my hand. He thinks I am going to steal his coin to pay the ale-wife. Let him stare. The bottom of the mug is better to look at than his face.

• 
  Joerg

  You talk too much when you are deep in your cups, you fool. Keep your mouth shut before you get us all hanged.

Nota scribaeDictated at the alehouse, while staring steadfastly at his boots.

the third day of Easter week, at Sext

Lawrence looked at me with murder this morning. He still blames me for the mud at Kolin. I know what I did. I ran when Lorenz shouted. God rest the old man. I make the cross, but it does not wash the mud off my hands.

• 
  Lawrence

  You left him to be cut to pieces, coward. You should be in the earth, not Markvart.

• 
  Kunz

  Sakra, do you think I don't know that? I see his face every time I close my eyes.

the Thursday after St Gregory, at None

Nickel and I have things from the baggage cart hidden away. Useless things. We cannot eat cloth and we cannot drink those silver rings. It sits in the dark and rots, just like us, and nobody dares try to find a buyer.

• 
  Nickel

  Hold your tongue, you drunken whoreson! We agreed never to speak of what we found in the woods.

Nota scribaeThe man slurred his words so badly I had to guess at half of them.

Candlemas, at Prime

Another night of the dark and the silence. As soon as I close my eyes I see the treeline and the mounted men cutting him down. I need a drink before I can even stand my watch. God have mercy on us all.