Geoffrey

the eve of Pentecost, at Matins

The night watch is a curse. The wind blows right through my tunic and every shadow looks like a Cuman. I just want my pot of oats and a bit of sleep by the brazier.

• 
  Standa

  Have some ale and stop shaking, lad.

• 
  Walter

  Ay, the wind bites hard tonight.

the Tuesday after St Mark, at Sext

Zdenyek is a whoreson who tells lies to anyone who will listen. I never turned and gave way at Sedletz. I kept my shield up. He just wants to save his own hide from Johannes.

• 
  Zdenyek

  We all saw you cower, rabbit. You broke the line and exposed us.

• 
  Geoffrey

  You lie entirely. I held my ground until the ash splintered.

• 
  Johannes

  Enough of this noise. The dead are dead.

Nota scribaeDictated loudly, though the young man kept rubbing his arms.

the second day of Easter week, at None

Mathes is mad wanting a fistfight with Johannes over Leonard. Leonard is dead and fighting will not bring him back from the dirt. We should just be glad we are still breathing.

• 
  Mathes

  Johannes let him die. I will have my due from him yet.

the Thursday before St Gregory, at Terce

I told them again today. It was Bartel who failed the outer flank. He let the Hungarians pour through and butcher poor Martin. If Bartel had held fast, Martin would still be drinking with us.

• 
  Bartel

  You are a frightened rabbit, Geoffrey. You had your eyes shut the whole time.

• 
  Geoffrey

  I saw what I saw, you bastard.

Nota scribaeThe man crossed his arms tightly across his chest and stuttered on the last part.

Candlemas, at Prime

Another freezing morning watching the peasant carts trundle in. The older men pushed me aside from the brazier again. A man cannot even eat his meager oats in peace here.

• 
  Nicholas

  Just eat it cold. I need to find a messenger heading to Prague for Rosa.

• 
  James

  Stop your whining and watch the heavy oak doors.

Nota scribaeWritten at the gatehouse. His hands were blue with cold.