Baldwin

the eve of Ascension, at Vespers

Philip keeps asking for his good eating knife back. I told him he can have it when he finds the whetstone he lost on the march two years ago. The council took my own blade as a pledge for the lantern oil levy, kurva.

• 
  Philip

  That whetstone was cracked anyway. Give the knife back, Baldwin.

• 
  Baldwin

  Not until Roger the clerk pays for my lamp oil out of his own fat purse.

Nota scribaeHe was picking his teeth with the knife in question while dictating this.

the second day of May, at None

A carter tried to hide three sacks of malt under some rotten straw today. I made him unload the lot. God almighty, my bones ache from standing in the damp. I would drink to Svatava's memory tonight if her heir was not demanding coin up front.

• 
  Leonard

  Aye, Svatava's thin beer is sorely missed now the slates are closed forever.

the third day of Easter week, at Prime

Julian was holding forth in the yard today about marching in formation. Kurva! If he knew anything about holding the line, Michael would not be rotting in a muddy ravine since ninety-nine. I told him so in front of the new men.

• 
  Julian

  I held my ground! It was the rebels that broke us, you bitter old fool.

Nota scribaeHe shouted the middle part so loudly the horses in the yard bolted.

the Friday after St Gregory, at Terce

That whoreson clerk Roger has decreed we must supply our own lamp oil out of our wages. Half the watch are pawning their gear. Soon we will be fighting off Cumans in the dark with our bare hands. It is a disgrace.

• 
  Philip

  I might wait for him in an alley one night. See how he likes the dark.

Candlemas, at Compline

Another freezing night in the gatehouse. The damp wool of this pallet is the death of me. Still, better a cold bed than none at all, or lying out in the mud like poor Michael. God rest his soul.

• 
  Hugh

  We all freeze, Baldwin. Drink your sour wine and go to sleep.