lute player of the camp, of Nomad camp
“I play the lute for my supper and keep my eyes open. A quick song and a sharp memory keep a man fed, mate.”
Things Roger had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Tuesday before Whitsun, at Vespers
I only asked the bathhouse maid for a mug of ale for old times' sake, mate. Now she looks at me like I asked for her firstborn or ten groschen. I just wanted a laugh and a wet throat. If she sends some roughneck to break my fingers over a joke, I am finished.
Nota scribaeHe tapped his fingers on the table the entire time he spoke.
the eve of St Mark, at None
My A-string is slipping and I cannot carve a new peg because John still has my bone-handled knife. He says his cousin took it to Semine. A man who keeps your knife is eating your bread, friend. I am done asking nicely.
the second day of Easter week, at Prime
There is nothing funnier than a secret, friend. Three years ago on the Prague road I saw a loud scholar with a pretty boy named Troyan. Yesterday I saw that same face carrying buckets at the Zhelejov baths in a skirt. I yelled the boy's name and she dropped her bucket in the mud.
Shut your mouth! If you ruin my wedding over a stupid lie I will drown you in the river.
Nota scribaeHe laughed at this until he choked on his spit.
St Gertrude's day, at Sext
The damp in the air out at the wagons is ruinous for music. I spent all morning checking my gut strings for wear. If they snap, I cannot play at the crossroad, and if I cannot play, I do not eat. It takes twice as long without a proper blade to shape the pegs.
Stop your whining and come help patch the canvas before it rains again.
Candlemas, at Terce
Like a fool I lent my best bone-handled carving knife to John this morning. He swore he only needed it to fix a strap and would give it back by Vespers. I am a generous friend, mate, but if he loses it, I will make him pay for a new one.
Have some faith, mate. I have it safe right here.
Nota scribaeHe smelled strongly of cheap ale for so early in the day.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
You know exactly what you are doing. Jacob will be back from the castle soon and he is not a small man.
Keep your hair on, Troyan. I only wanted a drink.