lumberjack, of The woodcutters' camps
“I am a carpenter by trade, though for now I am stuck in this miserable camp rough-hewing timber. I belong in a proper workshop in Kuttenberg, not sleeping in the dirt.”
Things Julian had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Thursday before Whitsun, at Vespers
Nicholas asked again today if I would walk to Svatava with his message. I told him I might go after the feast, if the weather holds and the roads are clear of soldiers. I have no time to walk three days east for no coin, but he will not stop pestering me.
Nota scribaeThe man rubbed his hands together the entire time he spoke.
the Monday after Ascension, at Sext
I lost a good commission for some fine joinery in the village today because my best edge is blunted on rough timber. Nicholas still refuses to return my carpenter's axe until Roger gives him back his tool. It is a disgrace. I will not pay the bailiff Chenyek's ruinous fee just to use the lord's tools.
Saint George's day, at None
The bailiff Chenyek has declared a fee of two pennies a day for any man using the lord's tools. It is plain thievery. I will not pay it. I foolishly lent Nicholas my fine carpenter's axe because Roger took his, and now my best tool is being ruined on green wood.
We all have to pay, Julian. Complaining will not make the wood chop itself.
I am a carpenter, Maresh. My tools are my livelihood, not just iron on a stick.
Nota scribaeDictated with much haughtiness and complaints about dirt.
the third Tuesday of Lent, at Prime
Adam will not stop talking about Mikesh. It is tiring. I did not go on the levy, so I have no part in their bitter arguments over who broke the line. They are all trapped in the past, wasting energy on grudges, while I look to my future in the craft in Kuttenberg.
the day after Candlemas, at Terce
The roof of the shed leaked all night. Widow Juliana takes our coin and leaves us to sleep in the wet. I had to wrap my joinery tools in my own cloak to keep them from rusting. The smell of the older men in the damp is unbearable.
If you do not like the smell, lad, you can sleep outside in the snow.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
You said you would go after Easter, Julian. It is only a few days' walk. She needs to know I am alive.
I said I would go when I have cause to go that way. My craft comes first.