guardsman at the warehouse, of Kuttenberg
“I stand watch at the alms warehouse, brother, keeping beggars off the grain. A thirsty job, and the pay is always late.”
Things Franz had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Thursday before Whitsun, at Terce
Brother, if any man has a sewing needle to spare, I need it before Sunday muster. Caught my tunic on a whoreson rusty barrel hoop in the yard. The tailor wants a whole groschen for one needle! Help a comrade out, or the captain's whip will have my hide.
Nota scribaeDictated during his watch. He smelled strongly of stale beer.
the second day of Easter week, at Vespers
That harpy Gerta pours the sourest ale in Kuttenberg and still demands coin for every drop. Jan, brother, stop glaring at me! I meant to buy your coif back, but the groschen slipped through my fingers. We will settle it soon enough, I swear it.
the eve of Palm Sunday, at None
Claus, lad, you cannot sit on your arse forever. The mud from Kolin is long dried. There is a silversmith in the square who asks no questions. Let us be smart and fill our purses before we both die of thirst.
Shut your mouth! The captain will have us at the pillory. Leave it buried.
Nota scribaeHe whispered this entry, insisting no names be recorded, though he named Claus clearly.
the feast of Saint Gertrude, at Prime
If I have to hear Hermann and Fritz argue one more time about old Konrad dying in the woods, I will throw myself on my own spear. Christ almighty, the man is dead. Let him rest and let us go drink.
the morrow of Candlemas, at Sext
Standing in this yard freezing my balls off to guard alms from beggars. The quartermaster pays us late and the small beer they give us would not drown a rat. A miserable life, but a man makes his way.
Nota scribaeThe dictation took place leaning against a barrel of grain.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
Just stand in the back rank, brother. The captain is half blind anyway.
I will give you a needle when you give me back my padded coif, you thief.