hired hand at the wall, of Kuttenberg
“I dig dirt at the wall and keep my war kit safe. I reckon a man just needs to work hard and not cause trouble.”
Things Mathes had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the eve of Ascension, at Vespers
The bailiff is looking at everyone's militia kit tomorrow. I kept my gear safe in the loft, not like the older fools. Jezhek, Richard and John are running around like headless chickens because Michael took off with all their pawned helmets and spears. Sakra, I am staying out of their way.
Nota scribaeThe speaker rubbed the back of his neck so furiously I feared he would scrape the skin raw.
the Thursday after Easter, at None
Walpurg keeps begging me to carry a letter to her kin outside town. She will not listen when I tell her the roads are foul with Cuman mercenaries. I am not setting foot outside these walls for anyone. Let old Roger go, he is always wanting to send word to his sister Sarah.
the feast of St Benedict, at Compline
My back is breaking. I took on another double shift hauling dirt so the older lads would not start a brawl over who had to do it. Master Vitek stood in the mud and watched us all day. I just want to earn my pennies, eat my bread and sleep.
You are a good lad for taking the shift. Better you than me.
Nota scribaeDictated while staring firmly at the floorboards.
the first Monday of Lent, at Prime
Sakra. I lent my new ash-wood pitchfork to Joerg for a single afternoon shift at the wall, and he will not give it back. He claims I shorted him ten groschen on shared wages at Epiphany, but I paid him every penny! He just wants to steal a tool he is too lazy to buy.
Candlemas, at Terce
I starved myself a month to save the coin, but I finally bought a fine ash-wood pitchfork with iron tines. Master Vitek turns away men without tools, but this guarantees me daily work. The morning frost bites hard, but the bakery ovens warm a man up before the muster.
Mind you do not stand too close to my ovens and set those dusty clothes alight, lad.
That is a good piece of iron on the tines. Take care nobody pinches it.
Nota scribaeHe refused to set the tool down while he spoke.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
Keep your mouth shut, lad. It is Karl's fault my skullcap is gone, not mine.
Christ almighty, if I catch that pawnbroker I will drown him in the river.