maid at the village baths, of Nomad camp
“I haul water all day and try to keep my head down among these bickering camp women.”
Things Mary had written, latest first, with the glosses of her neighbours.
the eve of Pentecost, at Vespers
Anna was going on about her dead Denis again to get out of fetching wood. I had to carry it myself after ten hours at the baths. My spine is breaking. I wish she would just do her share instead of weeping over a man two years in the dirt.
Nota scribaeShe rubbed her lower back the entire time she spoke.
the Tuesday of Easter week, at Compline
A soldier at the baths tried his luck today. I cracked him over the knuckles with a scrubbing brush. I am too tired to deal with wandering hands for a copper penny. At least my jar is getting heavier. A few more weeks and I will have my boots.
Keep saving, Mary. Vlasta wants double for flour this week anyway.
the feast of Saint Benedict, at None
Elizabeth is crying by the fire again over what happened at Semine. I wish they would all let the dead rest. The more they talk about that flooded creek, the worse my nightmares get. Keep your heads down and do your chores.
Nota scribaeShe spoke very softly, looking over her shoulder.
the first Sunday of Lent, at Prime
I cannot sleep. I saw the Cuman looking at me across the camp. I keep seeing the rope slip from his hands into the freezing water. I know he owed Prokop money. God help me, I have a terrible feeling in my gut, but if I speak, my throat will be slit.
You saw nothing, bath maid. The water was too fast.
Nota scribaeDictated in a whisper behind the tents.
the day after Saint Matthias, at Terce
Prokop is dead. The bank gave way and he went into the flooded creek near Semine. I watched the line slip away. The water was so cold. We have lost our driver and a steady wage, and now the women are tearing at each other's throats.
If Rosa were still here, she would know how to settle us down. Now it's just shouting.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
If Denis were here, you wouldn't dare speak to me like that. He was a good man.
Just let it rest, Anna. Mary brought the wood.