hired hand at stara lhota, of Stara Lhota
“I do the heavy work and mend the tools while the others brood. I am exhausted.”
Things Robert had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Thursday before Whitsun, at Terce
Someone has been poking around the floorboards in the barn. I know it was you, Edward. You think I am a thief because I have a few groschen wrapped in a rag? It is honest coin, mate, and if you touch it I will break your fingers with my hammer.
Nota scribaeThe man kept his hand resting on his hammer the entire time he spoke.
the feast of St Philip and St James, at Sext
Fell asleep standing at the anvil today and nearly took my own thumb off. Master John had the nerve to say I looked weary. If I am weary, it is because I do the work of three men while he sits inside worrying about the army.
Mind your tongue, lad. You sleep poorly because of your own restless habits in that barn, not because of my fences.
the Tuesday after Easter, at Vespers
Walked out last night to fix a shattered cartwheel in the dark. Got paid a few pennies. I am fifteen groschen short of what I need for Adleta, and time is running out. The publican has silver, but I have my trade. I just need more work.
You are entirely useless to me if you spend all night roaming the district for that girl. Get some sleep.
Nota scribaeHe fell asleep midway through the dictation and had to be violently shaken awake.
the third Sunday of Lent, at None
That clerk Thomas rode through from Kuttenberg and put Master John's name on the muster roll for the levy. Now the master does nothing but brood and try to scrape up a bribe. Bloody hell. If my wages are late because he gave all his coin to a clerk, I am walking.
the day after Candlemas, at Prime
The pottage is burned again. I do not complain often, but it has been two winters since Mistress Isolde died of the flux, and the food has been shit ever since. She knew how to feed a hired hand so he could actually lift a sickle in the morning.
She was a good woman. The house is entirely empty without her, lad. Just eat the pottage.
Nota scribaeThe priest admonished him for his coarse language regarding the food, but wrote it regardless.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
I was only looking for a dropped nail, Robert. You jump at every shadow.
Stay away from my corner of the barn, old man. I am warning you.