miner and coin striker, of The secret mint
“I swing a hammer stamping silver in a damp cellar. I just want to keep my head down.”
Things Robert had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Tuesday before Whitsun, at Vespers
The heat off the anvil blisters my face today. Hugh keeps whispering at me when the guards aren't looking, demanding things that aren't his. Sakra, a man can't even eat his weak beer and bread in peace in his own dark corner.
the eve of St George, at Compline
Jan is at it again. We were striking coins all morning and he wouldn't shut his mouth about Kolin. I didn't break the line. Christopher was already dead in the mud before I ever turned around. He should have run faster.
You ran like a frightened sheep! If you had held your ground with your spade, Christopher would be alive.
Nota scribaeDictated in a low mumble. He kept picking at the hem of his tunic.
the third day of Easter week, at Prime
Master Peshek sent down more silver to stamp. The older men glare at me, but I just do my quota. I checked the loose stone near my pallet this morning. Nothing is disturbed. A man has to look out for his own things in this darkness.
Just make sure you remember who helped you carry those things, lad.
the second Tuesday of Lent, at Sext
Roger and Thomas are complaining by the door again about their pay. I wish they'd keep it down. The soot in this cellar is bad enough without the noise. Better than digging sapper trenches in the freezing rain, though.
If Peshek doesn't send the runners soon, I'll be taking my coin out of your hides.
the day after Candlemas, at None
Master Peshek hired us to work in the cellar. I brought my things in a heavy bag and found a spot in the antechamber. I'm keeping my head down and saying little. The damp here gets into your bones, but it's safe from the Hungarians.
Safe enough, if we don't suffocate from the soot first. Welcome to the dark, lad.
Nota scribaeThe man spoke very softly, looking only at the floor.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
You know what I want, Robert. Don't make me ask loud enough for Thomas to hear.