Endres

the Tuesday after St Mark, at Vespers

Johannes cornered me by the gate again. A penny for the week, he says, as if he does not know Alice has given us nothing. I told him I have no coin and nothing left to pawn. He looked at my boots. A man cannot stand watch barefoot.

• 
  Alice

  You will be paid when the master settles the accounts. Stop complaining to the priest and stand your watch.

• 
  Fritz

  Maybe you should run away from Johannes like you ran from the woods, Endres.

Nota scribaeThe man rubbed his neck through the whole dictation.

the first day of May, at None

Young John is sweating through his shirt with the marsh fever today. He lies in the shed shivering, and I have nothing to give him. A cup of water is all I can manage. The others argue over him, loud as always. I sit in my corner and try not to listen.

• 
  Nicholas

  He needs wine and a warm fire, not your staring. But none of us have a groschen to spare.

• 
  John

  I will be fine by tomorrow. Just leave me be.

the third day of Easter week, at Sext

I ate my cabbage with my fingers again today. Heinz, if you are reading what the priest writes, I ask you for my eating knife. It is not right to take a man's blade for eating. I know I wronged you over the jack, but ten groschen is too much.

• 
  Heinz

  I paid good coin for that padded jack, Endres. You gave it to Johannes. You eat with your fingers until I see my ten groschen.

• 
  Kunz

  At least he only took your eating knife. You still owe me ten for the ale, and I'm keeping your fighting dagger until I see it.

the eve of St Gregory, at Prime

I only ask for my rosary back. Fritz, you have my three pennies for Johannes's rent. The wooden beads are no use to you, but I need them to pray. It is a sin to keep a man from his prayers over three pennies.

• 
  Fritz

  You can have your beads when you admit what you did in the woods. Veit would still be here if you had held the line.

• 
  Endres

  I retreated when the line broke, Fritz. Any sane man would have. Leave Veit out of this.

Nota scribaeHe paused several times to sigh.

the Monday after Candlemas, at Compline

We returned from the silver train today. Near Maleshov, the Cuman horsemen came out of the snow. The vanguard broke and the order was to fall back. I turned. I only did what I was told. Young Veit took an arrow in the chaos. I pray the Lord grants him peace.

• 
  Fritz

  You broke first. You left the boy exposed. You will answer for it, Endres.

• 
  Robert

  We all ran, Fritz. The snow was full of arrows. Let the boy rest.