guard at the Klasterska gate, of Kuttenberg
“I stand the night watch shivering in damp wool. Surviving the winter campaign for the king was easier than surviving the town council's fines.”
Things Leonard had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the eve of Whitsun, at Vespers
If I stand one more watch in the dark, the clerk Roger will dock my last groschen. Philip, you whoreson, give me back my brass lamp. I lent it to save you a fine, and I know you only want to pawn it for ale.
Nota scribaeDictated at the gatehouse. The man rubbed his sore neck the entire time.
the Tuesday after St Mark, at None
Otto keeps looking at the floorboards where I sleep. He has a loose tongue and too much thirst. Someday soon the bailiff will hear something he should not, and it will be a rope for both our necks.
the third day of Easter week, at Prime
Julian and Baldwin are at it again about the ravine. Who broke the line, who ran. It does not matter. Michael is in the mud and we are here, and yelling will not bring him back. Though I know whose fault it truly was.
St Gregory's day, at Sext
Poor Godfrey was bent double today holding his stomach. He needs a physician, but on a guard's wage he will just have to suffer. God rest widow Svatava. If she were still keeping the tavern slate, we might at least drown his pain on credit.
The pain is like a hot iron, Leonard. I reckon it is my end.
Drink water from the holy well at Sedletz. It costs nothing.
Nota scribaeHe crossed himself when naming the widow.
Candlemas, at Terce
The clerk Roger has decreed we must buy our own oil and mend our own wool. The fat bastard sits in the counting-room while we freeze at the gate. My wage is halved before the month begins.
I will pawn my boots before I buy oil for the town's lantern.
It is the council's decree, guardsman, not mine. See that your lamp is lit.
Nota scribaeThe man spat on the ground after speaking the clerk's name. I advised him to confess his anger.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
I lost it, Leonard. It must have fallen in the ditch by the wall. Do not be an arse about it.
God's nails, I will throw you in the ditch myself.