guard at the Klasterska gate, of Kuttenberg
“I maintain my discipline and my honour, while the men around me wallow in cowardice and debt.”
Things Denis had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Monday before Whitsun, at Vespers
The clerk Roger has issued a decree that we must pay for our own lamp oil and uniform upkeep. The fines are severe. Yet I will bear them and keep my sword sharp, while the rest of this garrison pawns their gear like common thieves. A soldier maintains his kit.
Nota scribaeDictated with his hands clasped firmly behind his back. He refused to sit down.
the third day of Easter week, at None
Philip and Baldwin spent the midday hour squabbling over a miserable eating knife, while Leonard wept over a borrowed lamp. It is a disgrace to wear the same colours as these men. I ate my cold bread alone on the square rather than listen to them whine.
the Wednesday of Lent, at Prime
I prayed for Michael's soul this morning. It has been four years since the winter campaign of ninety-nine, yet I remember the ravine clearly. I remember Alan ordering the retreat too soon, and I remember Albrecht panicking and leaving our flank open. They carry his death, even if they deny it.
I held my ground until the line broke! You see only what your pride lets you see.
You were not the commander, Denis. We would all be dead in the mud if we had stayed.
A true soldier does not abandon his comrade to the Hungarian spears, Alan. You broke the line.
Nota scribaeThe dictating was interrupted twice by his own grimacing at the other guards.
the feast of Saint Matthias, at Vespers
Svatava the ale-wife died at Christmas, and now her heir calls in the slates. The barracks are full of groaning men who drank on credit and now face the magistrate. I owe nothing. I never partook of her thin beer, and I certainly never begged her for time to pay.
Candlemas, at Terce
The wind at the Klasterska gate is bitter today, but a proper watchman does not slouch against the stone. I checked twenty merchants' writs this morning. Four had broken seals, and I turned them back. The law is the law, whether it is freezing or fair.
You turned away good merchants? The council will have our heads if trade stops because of your pride.
Nota scribaeHe inspected my ink horn three times before allowing me to write this down.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
Easy for you to say. Some of us need our coin to buy bread, not just polish.
You need your coin for the alehouse, Philip. A plain loaf is sufficient for a disciplined man.