Nickel

the eve of Ascension, at Compline

My father works double shifts down the mine just to avoid settling the matter of the lease. I told him straight, Peter from the monastery will want the renewal by Saint Martin. I want my name on the parchment, by right.

• 
  John

  Let an old man rest, Nickel. Christ almighty, the shouting never stops.

Nota scribaeHe poked my chest with his finger while saying this.

the second Tuesday in May, at Vespers

Saw Oswald sweating over the cabbages at the far strip today. He thinks working the dirt makes it his. I am the eldest. A future landowner does not break his back before the magistrate signs the lease.

• 
  Oswald

  Someone has to grow the food while you sit by the oven complaining about your blistered hands.

• 
  Alice

  And I hauled the water. If you want to eat the turnips, pick up a hoe.

• 
  Nickel

  You two are conspiring to steal what our late mother meant for me.

the third day of Easter week, at Sext

Alice baked bread again. It is half sawdust and tears my guts apart. I sit alone at midday because the drunkards on the crew would only beg for crumbs, and I have little enough as it is.

• 
  Alice

  If you brought home more groschen, I could buy better flour at the market.

Nota scribaeDictated during his meal. The bread did look very poor.

the Wednesday after Saint Gregory, at None

Grete is shifting my late mother's things around the house again. Barely twenty years old and she acts like she owns the place. She is scheming to give my father a new baby and rob me of my rights to the land.

• 
  Grete

  I am just trying to sweep the dirt floor, Nickel. Your mother Katherine was a good woman, rest her soul.

• 
  Nickel

  Do not speak her name.

Candlemas, at Prime

The silver masters had us hauling double baskets today. My shoulders ache so badly I can barely lift my arms. I swear by all the saints I will not die a miserable labourer. I have a lawful claim to that half-acre at Sedletz.

Nota scribaeHe refused to pay me for the ink.