guard at vavakova ochranka, of Kuttenberg
“I stand at the gate and keep the drunks out. I know how to endure a long watch.”
Things Fritz had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the eve of St Urban, at Vespers
There is talk again of the Hungarians on the road. Let them come. A drawn sword usually means a poor outcome for the man holding it. I would rather be bored at this gatehouse than dead in a ditch.
Nota scribaeHe spat twice while dictating this.
the second day of Easter week, at None
Walter and Richard are at it again over those cheap wooden beads Richard lost at dice on Saint Matthew's Eve. They glare at each other like beaten curs. I told them to shut up and act like men on watch.
Good Friday, at Prime
Up before the younger lads again. Kunigunde set out a decent cabbage pottage today, praise be. She knows how to keep order in this house and brooks no drunkenness on watch. A good woman, even if the rations are thin.
Eat what is set before you, Fritz, and thank the Lord you have a bowl at all.
Nota scribaeDictated before he had broken his fast.
the Wednesday after St Gregory, at Terce
Eating thin stew again because I will not buy from Humphrey's storehouse. The man sold us rotten pork, called me a beggar in livery in front of the street, and still has not begged pardon. I have my dignity. I will starve before I take his salt meat.
You are too proud for your own good, Fritz. The meat was fine enough for the price.
I owe you nothing but a beating, you whoreson.
Nota scribaeHe demanded I write 'beggar in livery' exactly as it was said, though it pained him.
Candlemas, at Sext
The frost is bitter today. I sat by the hearth cleaning my boots and sharpening my blade. The young ones complain of the cold, but endurance is a hard lesson they must learn. God willing, my boots will hold until the mud comes.
Godfrey told me soldiering was glorious coin. He never said it was mostly freezing your arse off by a gate.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
If they come, we'll see some action at last. I am sick of pacing this yard.
You are sick of pacing because you are a fool, Walter.