guard at the toll-gate, of Bylany
“I stand in the mud holding a halberd for the King. I should be back west helping my mother on our farm, but the bailiff dragged me here instead.”
Things Jezhek had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Tuesday before Whitsun, at Vespers
Frantishek will not shut his mouth about his sister Milada. Every day it is the same whining. No carter is heading east, you stupid boy! I need a merchant going west to tell my mother Katchka I am alive, and you are taking up all the air in the hut.
Nota scribaeDictated while he fidgeted with his sword belt. He wept a little at the end.
St Florian's day, at Sext
Benesh says I stole his brass lamp. I did no such thing! He handed it to me before Lent so I wouldn't trip over my own boots in the dark. He never asked for it back that night. It is mine now. Ten groschen and he can have it, not a penny less.
the third day of Easter week, at Prime
They put a heavy spear in my hands and told me to watch the road. My hands belong on a plow. The Hungarians are out there on the roads and I have no idea how to use this weapon. God preserve me, I wish I was home.
Keep your head down, lad, and come by the ovens later. It is warm there.
Nota scribaeThe boy spoke too fast and kept looking over his shoulder at the trees.
the Thursday after Laetare Sunday, at None
This pottage tastes like boiled shoes again. Jarda used to run the quartermaster stores better, or so Benesh never stops telling us. I asked Benesh to find a scribe heading west for my mother, and he just told me to eat my slop. Nobody helps anyone here.
Eat your slop and stop crying over your mother, boy. We all have troubles.
the week after Candlemas, at Compline
It is so dark past the village boundary. The shadows look like men creeping up on us. Thank Christ Almighty that Benesh gave me his brass lamp to walk the perimeter. I am putting it under my cot and I am never letting it go.
Nota scribaeHe smelled of cheap ale and fear.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
There was a wool merchant going east yesterday, you just didn't want to ask him for me!
Hold your tongue or I will throw your boots in the mud.