pruner at the Lorec vines, of Lorec
“I cut back the old wood and try to keep my head down. A quiet life is all I ask, if the young lads would just let me have it.”
Things Julian had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Tuesday before Whitsun, at Vespers
My hands are nothing but white scars and calluses now. The blades slipped again today on a thick knot. I would give a week's wage for a decent bed in town, away from the shouting in the loft, but the groschen must be saved.
Nota scribaeHe stared at the floor the entire time he spoke.
the eve of the Ascension, at Compline
Thomas was pointing his finger in my face again about the levy two winters ago. I told him a man cannot fight a dozen soldiers with a pitchfork. I am weary of it. If Andrew had not stepped between us, I do not know what would have happened.
the third day of Easter week, at None
We got our pennies for Easter, praise be. I sat in the staff house and ate my thin pottage. Joan glared at me the whole time, her temper as sharp as vinegar. I just kept my eyes on my bowl.
You know why I look at you that way. Eat your pottage and choke on it.
the Feast of Saint Gregory, at Terce
Paul has been giving me black looks all morning on the slopes. It makes me sigh. He holds a grudge over the ambush, but I saw him run just as fast as I did when the wagons started burning. We both ran.
Shut your mouth, Julian. I tripped in the mud, I did not flee like you.
Nota scribaeHe spoke in a slow, exhausted drone and sighed heavily three times.
Candlemas, at Vespers
The wind is bitter on the vines. I miss Master Stislav. He treated the men fairly and taught me how to tie the shoots. These new overseers care only for the yield, and the young lads care only for sour wine and whispered schemes about plunder.
Keep your voice down about the plunder. The bailiff has ears everywhere.
I made a vow to Sedletz, I will not be part of your schemes anyway.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
Master Stislav would have shown you how to hold the shears so they do not slip.