housemaid at markolt residence, of Kuttenberg
“I scrub stone floors from dawn to dusk for a mistress who pays in empty promises.”
Things Alice had written, latest first, with the glosses of her neighbours.
the Tuesday before Ascension, at None
Still no coin. If I could walk out the gate and find a merchant's house, I would be gone by Vespers. But she will not write me my writ of character. She knows the house would fall to ruin if I left, so I am kept here like a prisoner.
Nota scribaeShe crossed her arms and glared at the inkwell for a long time before speaking.
the second day of Easter week, at Vespers
Easter has come and gone. I was promised three groschen a month back at Epiphany. I have seen exactly one of them. John the guard has an offer at the Italian Court, and I pray he takes it just to see the mistress panic when the men walk out too.
the Feast of the Annunciation, at Prime
I am doing the work of two women. Joan sits mumbling over the hearth about her late husband Mikesh and a vow to the monastery, while I carry the heavy buckets. I care nothing for a man dead of the flux three winters past when my own back is breaking today.
You have a cold heart, girl. Mikesh was a good soul. The bad season took him, just as it takes the warmth from this hearth.
Ash Wednesday, at Compline
Bread is dearer, the lye bites my hands, and the pottage tonight was mostly water. I guard my own stout scrubbing brush like it is holy gold. A maid with her own brush is an honest worker, but I am starting to think honest work gets you nowhere in Kuttenberg.
Nota scribaeDictated in the kitchen. She gripped a wooden scrubbing brush the entire time.
the week after Candlemas, at Sext
I heard old Annabel kept the wenches in line and the ledgers balanced before she died of the fever. I am glad I never worked under her, but Christ Almighty, at least the old woman knew how to run a house. The girl with the keys now is playing a child's game.
I am doing the best I can with the master absent and the roads unsafe. Hold your tongue about things you do not understand.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
You know well that Tobias the steward has been delayed by the soldiers. The strongbox will be replenished soon, Alice. Have patience.
Patience doesn't fill my belly or buy me a new shawl. Tobias is a ghost you made up to hide the truth.