Lene

the eve of Ascension, at Vespers

I asked Cecily again if she would carry word to my father. She said she does not go that way and told me to leave her be. Why would it hurt her to ask around? I only need him to know I did not starve.

• 
  Cecily

  I told you, girl, I travel south. I cannot cross a war to find a man I do not know.

Nota scribaeShe wept while dictating this. I had to ask her to speak up.

the third day of Easter week, at None

Helena and Amice were bickering at the wash-troughs over borrowed shears and pawned gear. I listened to them complain about bleeding hands. They do not know how lucky they are to have walls around them and no soldiers burning their roofs.

• 
  Helena

  You try scrubbing heavy linen until your knuckles bleed, Lene, then tell me how lucky I am.

the Tuesday before Palm Sunday, at Prime

I tried to ask Mistress Margaret if she needed a floor scrubbed. She looked at my arms and said I was too weak to hold a brush, then chased me off her street. She cares more for her copper pennies than for a starving girl.

• 
  Margaret Koch

  I am not running a charity. A weak back does not get the winter dirt out of the floorboards.

Nota scribaeDictated at the church steps. The girl was shaking.

the Wednesday after St Gregory, at Terce

The baker gave me a heel of old bread today. I ate it by the gates, watching the carters come in. None of them came from my way. The soldiers in the taverns are so loud I can barely sleep in the outbuilding.

• 
  Madlen

  Keep away from the taverns at night, Lene. The men are rough when the ale runs out.

Candlemas, at Sext

The snow is melting, and still no word from my father Hannes. I came here before the roads broke, to earn a few pennies. Now I am trapped. I asked a priest to write a letter, but he wanted coin I do not have.

• 
  Rose

  Pray for him, child. The Lord watches the roads even when we cannot.

Nota scribaeShe asked me to write the letter for free. I told her the decree only covers the book.