guard at Ruthardka ochranka, of Kuttenberg
“I am a proper veteran who held the line at Maleshov. The town treats us like mere watchmen and refuses to pay our wages.”
Things Nicholas had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the eve of St Mark, at Vespers
Johannes came lurking by the wall again, demanding his penny for rent. Mistress Alice has not paid our wages since Epiphany. By Christ's wounds, how does that bloodsucker expect me to pay for a lumpy pallet when I do not have a groschen to my name?
Nota scribaeHe spat on the ground before he said the landlord's name, nearly hitting my shoe.
the third day of Easter week, at Prime
Endres pawned his dagger to buy a pitcher of ale. He is a fool to lose his gear, but at least he shared the cup. It dulls the ache in my knees for an hour, anyway.
I hope you saved a drop for the rest of us in the shed.
the Tuesday after St Gregory, at Sext
John is shivering with marsh fever on his pallet. The shed smells worse than a dung heap. I told him to pray to St Roch, or at least stop his groaning so a man can get some sleep before his watch.
If he keeps coughing like that, he won't last until Sunday.
the feast of St Matthias, at None
Veit's ghost will never rest until the truth is told. Robert tripped the boy in the mud when the arrows started falling. He ran like a frightened child and left Veit to die. Admit it, Robert, you coward.
You are a liar, Nicholas. Veit was dead before I even turned around. You ran just as fast as the rest of us.
I held the line, by Christ's wounds! You trampled him in your haste to save your own skin.
Nota scribaeThe dictating of this caused a loud argument in the yard. I departed before they came to blows.
Candlemas, at Vespers
The town levied us to guard the silver wagons towards Prague. Cuman horsemen sprang from the trees near Maleshov. Arrows fell like rain. We lost the silver and we lost Veit in the rout. A black day for this retinue.
May God have mercy on his soul. The pagans came out of nowhere.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
He took my good padded jack in pawn yesterday. I will freeze tonight.
When the merchant pays me, I will pay you. Go back to the gate, Nicholas.