Robert

the second Tuesday in May, at None

A traveller from Semine passed by the water wheel today. He says Paul the bowyer still has that yew piece I want. I only need eighteen more groschen. The coin is safe in the thatch, and God help the man who touches my knot.

• 
  Frantishek

  Fifty groschen for a piece of wood is madness, Robert. The man is a thief.

the third day of Easter week, at Vespers

Hungarian soldiers came down the road and took ten sacks of fine flour, leaving us only useless wooden tallies. Now Lida has us hauling twice as hard to make up for the loss. My shoulders ache, but every sack makes me stronger for the string.

• 
  Lida

  The tallies keep them from burning the mill down. Lift your sacks and be glad you have bread.

Nota scribaeThe man ground his teeth while speaking of the soldiers.

the Friday of Lent, at Prime

Amice is sweeping the boards and weeping again over that bit of carved bone she lost last Martinmas. I told her the pigs ate it months ago and she should get on with washing our tunics. The crying gives me an ache in the head.

• 
  Amice

  It belonged to my mother Doubravka. You have a stone for a heart.

the eve of St Matthias, at Compline

Frantishek is complaining about the flour dust in his throat. I reminded him he swore to walk barefoot to Sedletz three winters ago when the shivering sickness took old Tuma. A man should pay his debts to the saints or hold his tongue.

• 
  Frantishek

  The roads are crawling with mercenaries, I would be killed before I saw the abbey walls!

• 
  Robert

  Then you will burn in hell, Frantishek. Now go to sleep.

Nota scribaeDictated in the loft, accompanied by a great deal of coughing from another man.

Candlemas, at Sext

The wheel stopped for the day and I went behind the barn with a stick to practice my draw on a stuffed sack. I will not haul grain forever. Once I have the coin for a proper weapon, I am leaving this valley.