Sebastian Keller

The eve of St Urban, at Vespers

My rotten luck. The lockbox was moved this morning, and my father glared at me the whole time I hauled the sacks. I only need a few more pennies for the cart to Kolin. If he finds my hiding spot behind the bricks, I'm finished.

• 
  Fritz Christman

  You're a fool, lad. Your father knows exactly what you're doing. Stop before he beats you blind.

• 
  Sebastian Keller

  Mind your own dough, Fritz.

Nota scribaeThe boy kept looking over his shoulder toward the door while he spoke.

The Tuesday after Philip and James, at None

Fritz cursed me black and blue and Alice slapped my shoulder just because two batches of rolls turned to charcoal. I was thinking of the road north! If Hugh hadn't pulled the rest out, they'd have docked my supper.

• 
  Alice Lane

  Listen to your mother and forget that girl. Your head is full of smoke.

• 
  Hugh Field

  I'll cover the fires tomorrow, Sebastian. Just try to keep your eyes on the peels.

The third day of Easter week, at Terce

Gave a burnt loaf to Joan Mailer down at the Wheat Market today. She was complaining about Edmund letting the rain into her room. I know what it's like to be miserable in this town. We both have terrible luck.

• 
  Joan Mailer

  Bless you for the bread, Sebastian. Edmund is a tight-fisted bastard and my bed is soaked through.

Nota scribaeHe wiped flour from his arms onto the church ledger.

The feast of St Gregory, at Prime

My father Franz forbade me to speak her name again. He and my mother shouted at me right in the street, saying she ruined her good name last year. They believe the market gossips over their own son. I won't speak to either of them.

• 
  Franz Keller

  You bring shame on this house and the guild! She is a walking disaster and you will forget her.

• 
  Ottilie Keller

  Listen to your father, Sebastian. The older women know what she was doing at night.

The day after Candlemas, at Sext

Up before the bells again, hauling heavy grain sacks in the dark. My hands are cracked from the heat of these bricks. I sat by the alley at midday chewing a hard crust and wondering if it will ever end. Lidka is in Kolin and I am stuck here.

• 
  Wolfgang Keller

  You kept me awake half the night tossing on the pallet. Stop sighing and sleep.

Nota scribaeDictated outside the bakery. The boy smelled strongly of yeast and despair.