day labourer at the court, of Kuttenberg
“I am just a simple man trying to earn a crust and turn my luck around. One good throw of the dice is all I need to fix this mess, sakra.”
Things Heinz had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Monday before Whitsun, at Compline
They say Michael the pawnbroker ran off to the woods with all his ledgers. Sakra! How am I to settle my affairs now? That scoundrel took my only hope of getting things straight before the levy.
Nota scribaeThe dictation was interrupted twice by him looking nervously over his shoulder toward the door.
the feast of St John before the Latin Gate, at None
Master Vitek screamed so loud today my ears are still ringing. The mud in the trench was up to my knees. A man needs a hot loaf and a quiet corner after hauling stone all day, not more shouting.
Vitek is safe from the levy, so he bellows at us who are not. May the devil take his shouting.
the Wednesday after Easter, at Prime
The dice ran cold last night. Colder than the wind off the mountains. Lost every penny I had to my name. If only I had held out for one more throw, I could have set everything right. Sakra.
You are a fool, Heinz. Stay away from the tables before you lose your breeches too.
the second Sunday of Lent, at Terce
I only asked Richard for his iron kettle hat for one cold night watch! I swear it. Now everyone is asking where it is. It is perfectly safe, just tied up in a complicated matter of debts for a few days.
You swore on your mother's grave you needed it for the watch. Where is my hat, Heinz? The militia muster is coming.
Nota scribaeHe spoke so fast the words tumbled over each other, and he smiled weakly the entire time.
the day after Candlemas, at Vespers
Hans Schmidt pawned my good padded gambeson! Left me with nothing but my shivering skin. The bailiff will have me in the pillory when the muster comes and I have no war kit. Sakra, what am I to do?
It paid a debt you owed, Heinz. You should watch your own purse closer instead of blaming your neighbours.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
It was not your affair to settle, Heinz. It was my hat. I am still looking for you.
I told you, it was given away to settle an old tavern tab! I will fix it, Richard, just give me time.