guard at the Kourim gate, of Kuttenberg
“I stand watch at the Kourim gate and take the tolls. I keep the tally of what is owed, since half this garrison are thieves.”
Things Robert had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the eve of Ascension, at Vespers
Fritz took my tin pitcher last week when I left it by his bedroll after the tavern. He claims he brought it from his father's house, but my mark is scratched on the bottom. The fool is just too cheap to buy his own cup. I want it back.
Nota scribaeDictated slowly, with his heavy arms crossed. He glared at the hearth the entire time.
the Tuesday after St George, at None
Wilhelm is completely mad. Hoarding every penny for his sister Mary in Prague so she can marry. A man should drink his wage before he ends up in a ditch. Poor Nicholas did not take any groschen with him when the Lord called him.
the third day of Easter week, at Prime
I lent my brass lamp to Paul so he could read the tally marks in the dark. Now the thief refuses to give it back. I sit my watches in the dark while he enjoys the oil. He says I gave it to him to settle a debt, but he lies.
the feast of St Gertrude, at Terce
Carts rolling in since dawn, refugees from the burnt villages bringing nothing but mud. Bread is dearer than last year, and the ale-wife brought up a loaf so hard it could break a tooth. Christ almighty, this stone box is freezing.
Stop groaning and watch the road. There are soldiers moving up from the south.
Nota scribaeThe man complained of the cold until I was forced to blow on my fingers to write.
the day after Candlemas, at Compline
Jan keeps looking at me across the hearth. He thinks I do not know what he is whispering to the other boys. We all ran from the trees near Maleshov. The veterans ran just as fast as the boys when the mercenaries came. It was not my fault the line broke.
You broke rank on the flank first. You left Hugh and Nicholas to die in the dark.
Shut your mouth, boy. You want Captain James to hang us all?
Nota scribaeHe spoke in a low voice and kept checking the door to see who was listening.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
It is my pitcher, you liar. You owe me more than tin after what you did in the woods.
Keep talking like that, boy, and Captain James will hear what really happened.