guard at the gates, of Kuttenberg
“I keep thieves out of the courtyard and try to keep good men together.”
Things John had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the eve of Pentecost, at Vespers
The brewer's man asked me again today. A whoreson's luck, to be offered good silver while I stand here with an empty purse. I cannot just leave Joerg and Fritz holding the line. Old Lorenz would curse me from the grave if I ran.
Nota scribaeHe spent a long time staring at his boots before dictating this, hooking his thumbs into his belt.
the feast of St Florian, at Compline
Joerg was muttering about seeing a shadow without a man attached to it down Radnicni street. I bought him a cup of ale to settle his blood. It is only the long shadows of the evening watch, nothing more.
The ale helped, but I know what I saw near the walls.
the third day of Easter week, at Sext
Bread is dearer again. The carters say the soldiers on the roads are taking every bushel they see. Thomas was complaining of his thin pottage, but I told him a tight belt keeps a man alert on the watch.
My belt is tight enough to crack my ribs, John. Heinz Stein feeds his hounds better than us.
the Monday after St Gregory, at None
Fritz is starving himself again to save groschen for Johannes the pawnbroker. The lad thinks a fine sword makes the guard. I told him a good spear keeps the blood further away, but he will not listen.
Candlemas, at Terce
Poured a splash of ale into the dirt for old Lorenz. He taught us to hold the line and never run. The young ones like Thomas should have known him, he had a swing like a kicking mule.
Amen to that. He cracked my skull with a staff once and I thanked him for the lesson.
Nota scribaeHe spilled good ale on the tavern floor and the innkeeper shouted at him.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
Silver is silver, John. If the mistress will not pay, a man must look to his own purse.
If you go, the devil will surely take this courtyard. Do not leave us to this madness.
Your loyalty is noted, John. The coin will come soon enough.