Prokop

The Tuesday before Whitsun, at Vespers

Humphrey the clerk has gone back to Troskowitz with the levy rolls. Young Vashek jumps at every sound now, thinking he will be marched off to die. I told the boy to keep his head down and scrub the pots. The crown forgets the quiet ones.

• 
  Vashek

  It is easy for you to say. Humphrey looked right at me with his inkwell out. I am doomed.

The third day after St George, at Prime

Roger is telling lies about the woodpile shift on the eve of St George. He says I slept through the night for a jug of mead. The mead was a gift, and it was him who abandoned the watch to count his coins in the barn.

• 
  Roger

  You were snoring so loud the pigs woke up, old man. I was just checking the barn doors.

Nota scribaeDictated in the yard. He spilled half a cup of watered ale while gesturing.

The second day of Easter week, at None

My knees ache with the damp, but the worst ache is in my chest. Six winters since the sweating sickness took my Joan. I keep her memory sacred, even if the boys roll their eyes when I speak of her. She was too good for this earth.

• 
  Innkeeper Prochek

  She was a fine woman, Prokop. Drink your ale and rest your legs today.

The Wednesday of the third week of Lent, at Terce

I am asking again for the heavy brass oil lamp I lent to Roger before the fasting began. He claims he left it at the armoury, but I know he is just too lazy to look in the straw. It burns steady and I want it back.

• 
  Roger

  Christ almighty, it is just a lamp. I will look for it tomorrow.

Nota scribaeHe offered ten groschen to anyone who would fetch it, though he produced no coin.

The day after Candlemas, at Sext

I cannot find the carved wooden bird I lost last autumn. It was a small thing, but it meant the world to me. I swear someone in the yard stole it out of spite just to see me suffer. Master Prochek refuses to hire honest men.

• 
  Prokop

  If I find who took it, there will be hell to pay.