hired hand at Trosky, of Trosky
“I sweep the courtyard from dawn to dusk. It is endless toil, but it leaves me in peace with my own thoughts.”
Things Benesh had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the eve of Pentecost, at Vespers
The courtyard is finally clean. I swept the last of the carpenters' splinters away before the bells rang. Let them try to find a single speck of horse dung on my cobbles. I only hope Edmund stays in Jicin a few days longer.
Nota scribaeDictated from a bucket by the well. He paused often to stare at the road.
the third day of Easter week, at None
Richard walked right past me again. I only asked if he would carry word to my brother in Semine when he goes. It is a small kindness to tell a man's kin he did not die in the autumn mud, but he is as stubborn as a mule.
the Wednesday before Palm Sunday, at Prime
I have not been down to Tachov this whole month. I owe Betty a few pennies for stew, and I will not show my face until I have the coin. The alehouse is too loud with the lads arguing anyway. Better to save my wages and keep my head high.
You are missing nothing but watered ale and sore heads.
the Tuesday after St Gregory, at Terce
A cold wind today. The dirt blows back over the stones as fast as I sweep it. I wish I could read, or at least write my own name, instead of standing here with a broom while the lords ride past.
Keep sweeping, lad. The wind does not care what we wish for.
Nota scribaeThe man spoke very softly. I had to ask him twice to repeat himself.
Candlemas, at Sext
John will not stop his lies. I did not run from the muster to save my skin. Poor Humphrey was sick with the flux and begged to be left by the carts. If I had stayed, the sergeant would have whipped us both. I pray for his soul at the cross.
You left him in the dirt to die alone. You are a coward, Benesh, and everyone knows it.
Leave it be, John. The boy was dead anyway.
Nota scribaeHe looked to the ground the entire time he spoke.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
You do a fair job of it, Benesh. The yard looks well enough.