watchman at the Ceska gate, of Kuttenberg
“I keep the town safe while the council keeps my coin. I held my ground in the woods, no matter the lies some tell. Heh heh.”
Things Maurice had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the feast of Saint Pancras, at Vespers
I still have not seen a single groschen of my wages since Easter! The bailiff sits in his warm hall and we freeze out here on the stones. I owe the ale-wife my very soul. Heh heh. How am I to watch the gate on an empty belly?
Nota scribaeHe spoke so fast I missed half of his complaints about the bailiff. I did not ask him to repeat them.
the second Tuesday after Easter, at None
Oswald is telling tales again, pointing his fat finger at me. I never led Leonard into the dark woods! It was Oswald who told him the wrong road. And who shoved Jarda into the muddy ditch to bleed out? Not me. Heh heh. I will not shoulder the blame.
the Monday of Holy Week, at Terce
A merchant from Kolin just came through the gate. I listen closely to their chatter, and he says the roads are crawling with hungry mercenaries taking whatever they please. I check the locks at dusk, but a lock will not stop an army. Heh heh. We need our pay.
the feast of Saint Gertrude, at Prime
Endres claims I ran first on the eve of Saint Martin. The man is a liar! The line broke when Martin took that wound to the neck. There was nothing to be done for him in that mud. We all ran. Heh heh. Do not put it all on me.
I tell the captain what I saw. You threw down your spear before the first blow was struck.
Christ almighty, give it a rest. Martin is dead and our heads are ringing from your endless shouting.
Nota scribaeThe man's eyes darted about the room the entire time he dictated this.
Candlemas, at dawn
Heavy frost on the iron locks this morning. I stand here shivering while the rest of the mess snores on their cheap cots. It is an honest living, they say. Heh heh. The alehouse is the only warm place in Kuttenberg, and I am heading there at dusk.
I will save you a seat by the hearth, if you can find the coin to pay your slate.
The ale is watered down anyway. Drink it fast and you will not notice the cold.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
It is a disgrace. We will all be begging for crusts by Whitsun.
Stop your whining and check the locks. Coin will not come any faster for shouting.