guard at the Kourim gate, of Kuttenberg
“I stand watch at the gate and check the wagons coming from the mines. I do not take nonsense from anyone.”
Things Hermann had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Tuesday after St Gregory, at Vespers
Wilhelm is a fool for hoarding every night-toll penny for his sister Mary in Prague. A soldier ought to drink his wages while he still draws breath, before he ends up dead in a ditch.
Nota scribaeDictated loudly in the guardroom. The other men kept their heads down.
the eve of St George, at None
The choking dust these heavy wagons kick up is enough to blind a man. Saint George, the German drivers think they own the road. I made the last one wait a good hour just to show him his place.
Ay, let the arrogant bastards sweat in the sun a bit.
the third day of Easter week, at Terce
If Simon had not blocked the path of retreat in the woods at Maleshov, the line would not have shattered. He panicked like a frightened boy, and that is why things went wrong in the dying light.
I did not block you! You were already running away before I even turned around!
Shut your mouth, lad. We all saw you trembling. You caused the panic.
Nota scribaeThe man shouted this so aggressively I had to step back from the table.
the Monday after Laetare Sunday, at Sext
Robert has not stopped his endless complaining about a lost tin pitcher and a brass lamp. Christ almighty, buy a new one or drink out of your own filthy hands. A quiet guardhouse is no good for anyone.
It was a good pitcher, Hermann. Someone in this room lifted it while I slept.
Candlemas, at Prime
I woke sweating again. If Paul had been looking the right way, old Nicholas would never have gone down. The boy lost track of the sergeant, and now Nicholas is gone. Captain James better not hear of this mess.
It was dark, Hermann! The mercenaries were everywhere. I did not lose him on purpose.
Nota scribaeThe guard smelled strongly of stale ale and his hands were unsteady.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
She needs a proper dowry, Hermann. Not all of us want to drown in watered beer.