hired hand at the stables, of Trosky
“I am the one who gets handed the heaviest shovel and the most blame. Sakra, it is not a fair world.”
Things Zdenyek had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the feast of St Pancras, at None
The sun is out, which only means the midden heap stinks worse than ever. The girls in Tachov crossed the street today just to avoid my shadow. If the older men took their turn with the barrows, I wouldn't smell like a walking privy.
Nota scribaeThe smell was indeed very strong. I asked him to stand by the door.
the eve of St George, at Compline
Now Walter is starting on me. He says I worked Humphrey into his grave on the autumn levy. Sakra, I was just passing the sergeant's order! Was I supposed to tell a man with a sword that the wagons could wait? Walter just wants someone to blame because he feels guilty.
the third day of Easter week, at Sext
John is flapping his gums again, telling anyone who will listen that I stole Humphrey's blanket in the autumn. It is a bloody lie. Humphrey traded that blanket for a pair of bone dice because he thought he could win a silver penny. He was a fool, and so is John.
You let a sick boy freeze, Zdenyek. I saw you with it.
Sakra, you saw nothing! He lost it to a spearman from Kuttenberg.
Nota scribaeDictated while leaning on a dung-fork.
the Monday after St Matthias, at Vespers
Edmund docked my pay again for a dropped bucket. I have not got a groschen to my name, and Betty will not let me near the hearth in Tachov until I clear my slate. Her beer is half water anyway!
Pay what you owe, Zdenyek, or I will water it down further.
Keep your head down. Edmund has eyes everywhere.
Candlemas, at Prime
Sakra, the hayloft is frozen solid. My back aches like an old man's, and I am already stinking of the stalls. They look at me like I am a leper just because I smell of honest work.
Better the smell of horse than the smell of an empty belly, lad.
Nota scribaeThe lad spat on the floor before speaking.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
Wash in the pond, lad. It costs nothing.