hired hand, of Nebakov fortress
“I haul water and muck out the beasts here at Nebakov, and keep my head down. I just want to stay out of the mud and away from the fighting.”
Things Maurice had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Wednesday before Whitsun, at Compline
Every time I hear hooves on the road I jump like a spooked colt. They say the Hungarian archers are moving this way again. Jezhek reckons we need ten groschen to get my name out of Bohuta's cursed ledger. Ten groschen! Sakra, I barely have two pennies to rub together from all the hauling.
Nota scribaeHe paced the courtyard the whole time he was speaking. Had to tell him twice to stand still.
the second day of Rogation week, at Vespers
The wagons brought in three loads of grain today. Hauled every last sack up to the storehouse myself. Jezhek was resting his back in the shade. The castellan didn't notice a thing, praise be. I just wish they'd pay us a fair wage so I could save something before that clerk comes back.
You do the work of two men, Maurice. If you drop dead hauling, I'm not picking up the slack.
the eve of Saint Mark, at None
Christ almighty, they say Agatha died in her sleep. Who's going to make the willow-bark poultices for Jezhek now? His back was seized up something awful this morning. If the castellan sees him limping like that, we're both out on the road. And with Sigismund's men out there, we might as well be dead.
I can still work. Just need a bit of time to loosen up in the mornings. Mind your own business.
My wife knows a bit about herbs. It won't be as good as Agatha's, but it might help the stiffness.
Nota scribaeThe man seemed more concerned about the old woman's poultices than her immortal soul.
the Monday after Easter, at Sext
The ale-wife in the village is charging an extra penny for a jug now. Says the grain is dearer because of the war. I didn't buy any. Got to keep every scrap of silver I find. It's cold up in the loft, but I'll freeze before I spend the coin that might save my life.
You're getting skinny, Maurice. A man needs ale to keep his strength up for hauling.
Saint Matthew's day, at Terce
That whoreson Bohuta rode in today on his bay horse. He took down names for the levy. He looked right past Jezhek and wrote my name down. Bloody hell. I've seen the men who come back from fighting those Cuman bastards. I'm not going to die for a king I've never seen. I'm not.
The King needs strong men, Maurice. Your name is on the roll, and there it will stay until the muster.
Sakra! I'll find a way out of it. I have to.
Nota scribaeHe was shaking as he spoke, and swore profusely. I have omitted the worst of it.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
Keep your voice down, lad. We'll find the coin. Just keep lifting the heavy crates so the castellan doesn't look too close at us.
I'm trying, but bloody hell, my nerves are shot. If Bohuta rides in tomorrow, I'm done for.