collier at camp vidlak, of The charcoal burners' clearing
“I burn wood to ash and breathe what's left. Better to tend the meilers than march for lords who do not care if we bleed.”
Things John had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Monday after St Pancras, at Vespers
The wind changed today and blew the smoke straight into the hut. My lungs are heavy with it. I spat black all morning and the rake felt like it weighed ten stone. Master Robert sent his man to say the silver works need more. They always need more.
the feast of the Finding of the Holy Cross, at None
Thomas came back from Jicin stinking of cheap ale again. He says the roads are full of soldiers heading east. Cuman horses, he said. I told him to shut his mouth. I've seen enough of Cuman horses by that river.
I only said what I saw. And the ale wasn't that cheap.
We all saw them, John. You aren't the only one.
Some of us saw them and stood our ground. Others ran.
Nota scribaeThe man rubbed his thumbs together continuously while speaking.
the second day of Easter week, at Prime
Another night listening to Jan the Hound snore. I don't know how a man who left his mate in the mud can sleep so soundly. Christopher slipped on that bank. I saw it. He was close enough to pull him up. I will not forget it, even if the others want to play at peace.
The line broke! There were ten of them on us. If I'd stayed, we'd both be dead.
You didn't even try. You turned your back.
the Thursday after Ash Wednesday, at Sext
Thomas took an iron hat down to Dorothy the widow in Jicin. I won't say where he got it, but he had coin for dice tonight. I suppose some men deserve to lose what they have.
That was my helm! The whoreson stole it while I was checking the vents.
I merely borrowed it to settle a debt. God's truth.
Nota scribaeDictated near the woodpile. The speaker refused to look up from his boots.
the morrow of Candlemas, at Terce
We lit the new meiler today. The ground is hard as iron and the cold bites through the wool. William is working like a demon, trying to save pennies for the priest. Poor lad. His brother was a fool to cross the bailiff, but William has a good heart.
Godfrey made his choices, but he needs the prayers. Thank you, John.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
I can take the windward side tomorrow if you need, John.
Keep to your own work, lad. I'm not a cripple.