master metalworker of Kuttenberg, of Kuttenberg
“I am master of my late father's forge. I work honest metal while my brother and sisters eat my profits and squabble over dirt.”
Things Nickel Fischer had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the eve of Pentecost, at Vespers
That bastard Fritz still has my copper engraving plate. He says I owe him two groschen for charcoal. I owe him nothing. And Elsbeth has locked my stamping die in her chest for some useless petition. If a man wants to earn a groschen, go fetch my tools from these thieves.
Nota scribaeHe rubbed his left hand the entire time he spoke.
the third day of Easter week, at None
The damp mornings are a curse. My bones ache worse than ever, though I tell the others it is nothing. Master Mathias is using the forge today, which is well, for it spares me lifting the heavy hammers. We had cabbage and bread again, ruined by Ursel shouting.
I bound your hand this morning, husband. Let Master Mathias do the heavy striking.
The forge burns hot, Master Nickel. Rest your bones today.
the Monday after Saint Gregory, at Sext
John is pacing the yard again, terrified the bailiff will take him for the muster roll. I care not, so long as his master pays the rent. Bread is dear, silver is scarce, and Apollonia still refuses to speak to my wife over that spilled lye. This parcel is a madhouse.
I am not terrified, master. I am merely keeping a watchful eye.
the first week of Lent, at Prime
The war brings misery, and Sigismund's soldiers make the roads foul. At least Mathes and Zdenyek are paying their stall fees out front. Zdenyek weeps that his mother Madlen thinks him dead. Pay a scribe and be done with it, I told him.
I told him the exact same thing, master Nickel. A penny for a letter saves a pound of tears.
Candlemas, at Terce
The priest says the Pope wants us to write down our days for the Lord. Christ almighty, the Lord knows I am exhausted. Five winters since that iron beam slipped off the wagon, and I am still paying for it. But I am master of this house, and it will not fall.
Nota scribaeDictated near the forge. The word he used was not 'exhausted'.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
Pay me the two groschen for the charcoal, Nickel. You have the coin.
The petition is for the far strip of land father left us. You would not understand.