guard at the Kolin gate, of Kuttenberg
“I inspect the carts and watch the road just as I swore to do. I stand my watch properly, unlike some who warm their arses in cellars.”
Things Jezhek had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the eve of Pentecost, at Vespers
My boots are splitting at the seams and letting the spring mud in. I refuse to ask the older men for a loan, for I will not be in their debt. I have ten groschen hidden in a safe place, if a stranger would just do a certain errand for me regarding a paper in the soldier camp.
Nota scribaeHe spoke so fast I had to ask him to repeat himself thrice.
the Tuesday after Easter, at None
I saw the brewers' carts leave town today. I see everything that passes my gate. I also see men whispering with the royal soldiers when they ought to be watching the road. Someone needs to stop the carts rolling off into the ditch, and I will find a way to make them listen to me.
the second Sunday of Lent, at Prime
The wind is bitter today. It reminds me of the sleet last month. Poor Frantishek was a good lad, but the cold broke him while others were safe and warm in Marion's cellar drinking ale. He is walking to Prague now with nothing, and it is a disgrace how he was left out there.
The lad was a coward who slept on his feet. The watch is better without him.
He was terrified and you left him alone!
Nota scribaeThe dictation was interrupted by a merchant cart which the guard insisted on searching.
the day after Saint Matthew, at Terce
My badge is polished so bright you can see the sky in it. I spent an hour rubbing it clean last night. Then Richard shoved me into a table for no reason at all, spilling ale everywhere, just to make a fool of me before the others. I will not forget the slight.
You were standing like a wooden stake in the middle of the room. Move next time.
Candlemas, at dawn
I stand my watch at the archway and look out at the dark. I do not lean against the stonework. The king's peace must be kept, even if the older men sleep and the soldiers outside the walls do as they please. I swore an oath.
You are a good lad, Jezhek, but you will wear yourself to the bone standing so straight.
Nota scribaeHe refused to sit down while telling me this.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
What paper are you talking about, boy? You had better keep your nose at the gate.
Just a tally, Hermann. Nothing for you to fret over.