guard at markoltova ochranka, of Kuttenberg
“I stand the watch and keep the drunks and thieves out of the yard. I try to keep my head down and pray the Lord does not strike me down for my sins.”
Things Joerg had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the eve of Whitsun, at Vespers
John is talking again of going to the mint guards because Mistress Helena is late paying us. I told him he should stay here. I need a man beside me I can trust if trouble comes walking down the street.
Nota scribaeDictated at the gate. The man spoke softly but held a very heavy spear.
the Tuesday after St George, at None
Fritz is eating nothing but thin pottage so he can save his pennies. He wants his father's sword back from Johannes the pawnbroker. It is a good and pious thing to honour a father's blade, and I told him to see it through.
the third day of Easter week, at Prime
I bought a candle for old Sergeant Lorenz today. It took a whole groschen of wax. He taught us which end of a halberd to hold, and I reckon he is up in Heaven drilling the angels now. God grant him peace.
I wish he had lived to drill me. These new sergeants do not know a spear from a broom handle.
Nota scribaeThe man crossed himself three times while speaking.
the Thursday after St Gregory, at Terce
I heard a crow land on the roof today and my blood ran cold. I fear the Lord's patience is wearing thin. Two years since the bandit fight on the Kolin road, and I still have not walked barefoot to Sedletz. May the Lord spare me the ague.
Do not speak of the Kolin road to me, Joerg. We both know what we failed to do, and the shame is heavy enough without you crying it about.
Nota scribaeHe muttered the last part under his breath.
Candlemas, at Vespers
The wind at the gate today cuts right through my coat. I stood out there all day and my hands are numb on the wood. At least the kitchen sent out some hot pottage when the light failed.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
I cannot eat trust, Joerg. A man needs his groschen.