the eve of Ascension, at Vespers
Saw Walter Clark weeping into his ale today. The pathetic bastard thinks his name is in the bailiff's ledger for the levy. He wouldn't last an hour in a shield wall with the Hungarians. Let him go.
Liber Vultuum, volumen Kuttenbergensefol. 380v
Simon
guard of the town garrison, of Kuttenberg
“I stand watch and keep the miners from killing each other. It pays enough to keep my throat wet.”
Quid vis scribi?The scribe is at Vespers. Come back after, and bring him a candle.
Dicta
Things Simon had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Tuesday after St John before the Latin Gate, at Sext
Maresh bought a round, acting like a good comrade. I didn't drink it. If the bastard hadn't marched his detachment down the wrong road last autumn, the Hungarian line would have broken first. I don't forget.
MareshThe road was mud and the scout was dead. I got there when I could. You need to let it rest, Simon.
Nota scribaeHe spat on the floor after saying the man's name.
the third day of Easter week, at None
Shift on the lesser streets. Chased three beggars off the church steps and watched Isabel Hill squabbling over a strip of dirt. These townsfolk are whining children. They don't know what blood looks like.
Isabel HillThat dirt is my family's right, you brute! Not everyone solves their problems by stabbing people.
the Monday of the third week of Lent, at Compline
Oswald was at the kupecka tavern. I left. The coward broke the line when the fighting got heavy. He left Bartholomew exposed to that pike. I won't share a roof with a man who let his comrade die.
OswaldI held my ground until we were overrun. You were the one who hesitated! You called the retreat too late and trapped us all.
- Simon
Keep telling yourself that, coward. I saw what you did.
Nota scribaeDictated at the guardhouse. The man was brooding and smelled of stale ale.
Candlemas, at Prime
Woke up before dawn again. I keep seeing Bartholomew fall in the dirt. It was a slaughter. Sometimes in the dark I wonder if I gave the retreat order too late, but I had to pull the survivors out. God rest him.
HermannHe was a good man, Simon. We will pour one out for him tonight. Come drink with us.
Nota scribaeHe spoke quietly and asked me not to read it back to him.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
It is easy for you to mock, Simon. You chose the pike. I have a life here to lose.
Your life is drinking and trembling, Walter. A quiet death might suit you.