guard at the Klasterska gate, of Kuttenberg
“I watch the Klasterska gate and take the council's tolls. It is honest work, or it would be if the town clerk did not rob us blind for every scuff on our boots.”
Things Julian had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the eve of Ascension, at None
That clerk Roger took half my pay for a tarnished brass buckle! It is completely unfair. We must buy our own lamp oil and keep our uniforms shining while he sits safe in his locked counting-room at the Italian Court. I am terrified I will starve because of his pen.
Nota scribaeHe spoke very fast and kept crossing his arms. I corrected his language concerning the clerk.
the second day of Easter week, at Vespers
Hugh and Leonard are bickering again over plundered silver chains in the corner. I want no part of it. If they swing for stealing church silver, I will not be standing beside them. I just want my honest wages.
the Tuesday after Saint Gregory, at Prime
I miss Svatava. She served thin beer, but she never complained and she kept our slates fair. Now she is dead of the winter fever, and her heir wants the coin up front. God knows I have none left after paying for the gatehouse lamp oil.
Aye. Poor Svatava. Up in heaven there'll be no soldiers drinking on credit.
Nota scribaeThe dictation took place outside the tavern, as the new keeper would not let him in.
the morrow of Saint Matthias, at Sext
Baldwin is bringing up Michael again, trying to shame me before the new lads. It is completely unfair! Standing firm in that muddy ravine would only have meant two dead men instead of one. I ran because it was the only sensible thing to do when the line shattered.
Candlemas, at dawn
I saw Godfrey clutching his stomach again, groaning about sour wine. It is a pathetic excuse for cowardice. We all know he was the one who left the flank bare. He needs his ditch-weeds because he has no spine. I wish he would just desert and leave us be.
My gut is rotting, Julian. It has nothing to do with the ravine. You ran, just admit it.
Nota scribaeHe dictated this while shivering in his coarse wool blanket on a straw pallet.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
We should wait for him in an alley one night. He cannot fine a shadow.