hired hand, of Troskowitz
“I pull my weight same as the rest of them. The work is hard, but a man does what he must to keep a roof over his head.”
Things Richard had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Tuesday after Saint Mark, at Vespers
The wind was sharp today. Shifting those grain sacks took longer than I'd care to admit. I need a proper staff, but with Master Hugh docking us all for Andrew's dead capons, there's not a penny to spare. I'll just have to keep leaning on what I have.
Nota scribaeHe paused often to catch his breath. The word he used for the master was not 'Hugh'.
the second day of Easter week, at Sext
Young Robert says he's walking all the way to Sedletz for Saint Barbara. Foolishness. He hasn't the stomach for it without strong beer, and Marion is still in Tachov. I told the lad to stay put and save his strength.
the eve of Saint George, at Compline
Walter and Hynek are at it again over that felling axe. Shouting like children. If they bring the master's wrath down on us, we'll all be sleeping in the rain with Alice. The work is hard enough without fools making it harder.
He took it without asking! It's my axe.
Don't bring my roof into this. It's dripping on my blanket right now.
Nota scribaeDictated from the hayloft. He winced when he turned his neck to speak.
the third Sunday in Lent, at None
Saw soldiers on the road today. Hungarians, by the look of them. They took three sacks of our oats and didn't leave a single groschen. Master Hugh is going to be in a foul temper, and we'll be the ones paying for it.
Praise be they didn't come into the kitchen. We barely have enough crusts as it is.
Candlemas, at Prime
The chill this morning is deep in my bones. It reminds me of the great freeze, and the sleet storm when that bull crushed me against the fold. I miss Lida fiercely today. The goose fat she used to rub on my back... I struggle without her care.
Nota scribaeThe man seemed tired and spoke very quietly.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
Leaning on my spade, you mean! Hand it over, Richard. I need it back.
Quiet, lad. You'll get it when I'm done mucking out. Don't shout about it.
Those capons were prime birds. The master should have docked you twice as much.