hired hand, of Old Kutna
“I haul slag from the smelting works by day and carve crosses by the gate at noon.”
Things Zdenyek had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the second Wednesday of May, at Vespers
I sit by the gate carving a pine cross and praying the bailiff releases Edward before the muster on Saint John's feast. I need that padded jack back. I would not have pawned it if the silver had been paid, but a man must eat, and so must Margery.
Nota scribaeThe man whittled the entire time he spoke.
the feast of the Finding of the Holy Cross, at None
I am working double shifts on the slag heaps now. My hands are blistered and my shoulders ache like they belong to another man. I ask Saint Joseph for the patience to bear it. I wish someone would look in on Alan Taylor at Martha Silver's tavern. I fear for him.
He is drinking up what little he has. I cannot nurse him all day, I have a tavern to run.
Maurice broke both our backs twelve winters ago. I feel the pain too, but drowning it in ale will not mend it.
Nota scribaeDictated near the stamping mills. The noise was unbearable.
the Tuesday after Easter, at Sext
Chenyek stopped paying wages this week. The hunger is sharp. I bought a padded jack for Margery Carter, but she has pawned it too. I do not blame her. Starvation makes its own laws. I only pray Edward keeps our things safe until the silver comes.
I am sorry, Zdenyek. I will find a way to make it right before the muster.
That whoreson Chenyek is starving us all. He sits in his accounting house while we eat dirt.
Curses will not open the strongbox, Jan. We must trust in the Lord to soften his heart.
the first Wednesday of Lent, at Prime
Thomas advanced the silver to buy me a padded jack and an iron cap for the bailiff's muster. I am grateful for his charity. I pray I can earn enough to repay him, though the slag heaps pay poorly and the barrows are heavy.
Just keep it clean, and do not lose it. The bailiff is no man to cross.
the day after Candlemas, at Vespers
Washed my face at the trough before dawn. The water was half ice. I see refugees on the road from the burnt villages, and I thank God I have a pile of straw and a knife to carve with. The Lord provides.
Aye, it is cold. Did you see any travelers headed for Prague? I need a message taken to Rosa.
Nota scribaeHe offered me a wooden cross when we finished.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
You traded good armor for carving tools, you fool. I gave you that silver so you wouldn't end up in the stocks.
I traded it for bread, Thomas. Chenyek has not opened the strongbox since Easter. I am sorry, but food comes first.
Do not curse him, Thomas. We would have starved in Easter week.