woodcutter at the Chmelna gate, of Kuttenberg
“I sweep the timber yard and carry the offcuts for my brothers. Andrew says I am not broad enough in the shoulder for the heavy axe just yet, but I do my share of the hauling.”
Things John had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Tuesday after St Vitus, at None
The burgher's man Nickel came by the fence again today, shouting about dirty peasants and pointing his borrowed sword. I kept my head down and swept the sawdust like Andrew told me. I wish the burgher's dog would stop barking, it makes it hard to hear myself think about the ring I lost.
Nota scribaeThe boy spoke so quietly I had to ask him to repeat himself thrice. He kept looking at the dirt.
the eve of Corpus Christi, at Sext
I dropped mother's wooden ring somewhere in the yard last week. I have sifted through every pile of sawdust, but I cannot find it. She gave it to me before she died, and now her soul must be restless. I am so ashamed. If someone could say a prayer for her at the town gate cross, I would be grateful. Andrew will not let me leave the yard.
Don't weep, John. The ring is gone, but mother's soul is with God, not in the sawdust.
I said no leaving the yard until the wood is sorted! Stop crying over a piece of wood and get back to work.
Yes, Andrew. I'm sorry, Andrew.
the Monday after Ascension, at Vespers
The bread is dearer again. Andrew says we must be careful with our pennies. I saw Roger taking some coins from the timber sale today, but I am too afraid to tell Andrew. I don't want to see anyone beaten. I just want to sit on my stool by the chopping block and eat my bread in peace.
What are you prattling about coins to the priest for? If there's money missing, you had better find it.
Nota scribaeThe lad looked over his shoulder the entire time he was speaking of the coins.
the feast of St George, at Prime
Alan was shouting from his window again this morning about his dead songbirds. It makes my chest tight. I just want to sweep the yard in quiet. The old woodcutter John the elder jumped when the shouting started. It is a loud, angry world, and I miss the village.
the Monday after Laetare Sunday, at Terce
Andrew bought a new chopping block today because the burgher's man Nickel broke the old one. We had to carry it all the way from the market. Christopher carried the heaviest part, he is so strong. I only carried the water buckets, but my hands are full of splinters anyway. Mother always used to pull them out with a needle.
You did well, John. Let me look at those hands later.
Nota scribaeHe rubbed his hands together as he spoke, picking at the skin.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
Keep your head down, boy, and stay on your side of the fence. Your brother owes for a copper jug.
Never mind his shouting, John. Just sort the timber and don't stop sweeping until Vespers.