guard on the Kolin gate, of Kuttenberg
“I watch the road and keep my blade sharp. That is what I am paid for.”
Things Roger had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Wednesday before Whitsun, at None
Walter asked again for his carved beads. I told him he can have them when he stands before the brazier and admits out loud to all the boys what he did when the halberdiers charged at Sedletz. Until then, they stay tucked in my belt.
Nota scribaeHe stared at the wall the entire time he spoke. I did not ask him to repeat himself.
the Monday after Ascension, at Vespers
Johannes and Mathes are bickering again about Leonard. They bark like dogs over a bone that has already been chewed clean. The real betrayal was on the left flank, and Mathes knows it just as well as Walter does. A shield wall is only a wall if you stay in it.
the second day of Easter week, at Prime
The town council's pottage is thinner than water today. It would not keep a sick dog on its feet. The road is full of carts and frightened people complaining about tolls. I ignore them. My job is the gate, not drying tears.
Aye, it tastes like boiled boots. But it is warm.
the Thursday after Laetare Sunday, at Sext
Nicholas is asking everyone again if they have seen a messenger bound for Prague to take a word to his sister. He should save his breath. The roads are not safe for solitary riders with the Hungarians about. He is lucky to be behind stone walls.
She is just a maidservant, Roger. I have to know she is safe.
Leave him be, Roger. A man can worry about his blood.
Nota scribaeDictated at the gate. The man's stare is very unsettling.
the morning of St Valentine, at Prime
It is freezing today. The hinges on the Kolin Gate groan like an old man waking up. I put my shoulder to the timber and pushed it open. It is the only honest work I will do all day. I bought a candle to burn at St James's later. For Peter.
He was a good man. God rest his soul.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
Christ almighty, Roger, I need them to pray. It was mud and chaos, nobody knew what was happening!
You knew enough to step backward.