guard at the mint, of Kuttenberg
“I stand watch at the Court and try to keep my nose clean, though certain men will not let me be.”
Things Tuma had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Thursday before Whitsun, at Vespers
The new sergeant docked my pay for a speck of rust on my blade. Captain Michael never would have done that. I freeze up on the mint wall all day watching for Hungarian banners, and this is the thanks I get. God's wounds.
Nota scribaeThe boy could not stand still while he spoke, shifting from foot to foot like a startled horse.
the second day of May, at Prime
I s-saw Walter glaring at me in the alehouse again. He knows what he did in the woods at Maleshov. Shoved me right into the mud to save his own miserable skin when the arrows fell. It is his fault the line broke.
the Wednesday after Easter, at None
Paid three pennies for a loaf that was mostly sawdust today. The baker blamed the soldiers on the roads. I just sat in the barracks rolling Vashek's wooden dice. I miss him. He was the only decent veteran here.
He was too slow for the vanguard, Tuma. Let the dead rest.
the first week of Lent, at Terce
I w-won't hear another word of it. Thomas sounded the retreat too early. He left our flank open to the Cumans. That is why Vashek is dead in a mass grave, not because of anything I did. I held my ground!
You ran like a frightened hare, Tuma. We all saw it. You abandoned your shield-mate.
I d-didn't! You abandoned him!
Nota scribaeHe stammered heavily and stared at his boots the entire time he dictated this.
the morrow of Candlemas, at Sext
My toes are numb from the night patrol around the perimeter. Jumping at every shadow in the alleyway. I swear I heard Cumans in the dark, but Wolfgang said it was just a stray dog. I wish I was back on the farm.
Get some sleep, Tuma. The walls are safe enough in the daylight.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
Michael was a true captain. We all feel his absence.
I will buy you an ale tonight, lad. Keep your head down.