bailiff of Pritoky fortress, of Pritoky
“I maintain the lord's ledgers and enforce the law with absolute precision across these holdings.”
Things Joseph of Rabstein had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Thursday before Whitsun, at Prime
Someone is unlawfully taking honey from Bozhena's skeps by night. These bees are a taxable asset. I require a discreet soul to watch the hives and question William the houseman, for I cannot be spared from my ledgers.
Nota scribaeHe tapped his belt the entire time he spoke. I fear for my ink pot.
the second day of May, at Vespers
Rumours of a muster roll spread like rot. The King's absence emboldens them. I have spent the day perfecting the estate accounts to demonstrate to our lord that my administrative skills are far too valuable to waste on a battlefield.
We all do what we must to keep working, Master Bailiff. The fields won't plow themselves.
the third day of Easter week, at Sext
I inspected Richard's farm at Malesov today. The fences require mending and the planting must hasten. I observed William working the fields; he is a strong back, though jumpy. Maintaining our labour force is paramount for the spring sowing.
I shall expect the fences repaired by Sunday, William, or the estate will levy a fine.
the Monday after Ash Wednesday, at Terce
I have completed the escheatment of the late Maurice's effects. As the serf died without a will by the hand of a passing vagrant, his hidden savings of three threescore groschen are now lawfully entered into the estate's coffers.
A vagrant? My boy was bled in the mud and you took his silver while he was still warm!
Best we leave it be, Bozhena. Vagrants are a terror these days upon the roads.
Nota scribaeHe smiled when he said three threescore. It was unseemly.
the eve of St Valentine, at None
A tragic disruption at Malesov. Bozhena's son Maurice was found dead in the mud, stabbed in the belly. My investigation concludes a wandering vagrant committed the deed. A terrible loss, but the spring planting must proceed without delay.
He was drinking with William! There was no vagrant in the village that night!
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
My late Stephen built those hives. It is all I have left since my boy was taken.