townsman and bakery accountant, of Kuttenberg
“I am a townsman of Kuttenberg keeping the bakery ledgers spotless. A man must balance his accounts in this life and the next, God willing.”
Things Vitek Mercer had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the eve of Ascension, at Sext
The screaming in this house has grown too loud. Joan faints at the ovens, Margery weeps over that vagrant Alan, and my soul is heavy. I have packed my bags for Sedletz to keep my old vow. I must save my soul, God willing. May the Lord preserve Joan's strength while I am gone.
Nota scribaeHe looked at the floor the entire time he spoke. I have never seen a man pack so quickly for a penance.
the Wednesday after Quasimodo Sunday, at Prime
A visiting preacher spoke yesterday of divine wrath upon those who break their oaths. The sweating sickness took so many three winters past, but spared my house. I swore a vigil of forty days then, and the ledgers kept me. Now my hands shake at the desk. I fear the Lord's tally.
If the Lord is angry, let Him smite Alan's captain and send him home to me.
the Tuesday in Easter week, at Vespers
The Easter rush has brought a great weight of groschen to the strongbox, the Lord preserves. White flour is dear, but our bread is the best in Kuttenberg. Joan is worn to the bone from the ovens, and the shouting with Margery gives her a nervous fever, but the taxes are paid.
Nota scribaeDictated beside a stack of very neat ledgers.
the feast of St Gertrude, at Terce
My half-brother Julian curses his landlord Ernest daily for the rotting shingles on his lodging. I entirely agree with Ernest. A man who does not pay his back rent deserves no fresh roof, God willing. Julian still thinks he is owed a share of our mother's legacy, but my ledger says otherwise.
Your ledger is full of lies, Vitek. I sleep with rain dripping on my face while you hoard silver.
the second Wednesday of Lent, at None
The levied soldiers took young Alan away. My daughter Margery weeps and screams that she will marry him still. The boy is a penniless vagrant who would drag us into poverty. I told her to pray for a better match, but she only shouts louder. Peace is a rare blessing in this house.
I will wait for him until the end of days! You care only for your clean hands and your flour!
Nota scribaeThe girl was sobbing loudly in the next room while he said this.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
You coward. You leave me to the heat and the girl's wailing while you hide in a cloister!
Running away, brother? Leave the strongbox key, I can watch the house for you.