watchman at the vineyard, of Lorec
“I walk the terraces all night with a polearm while the rest of you sleep. It is shit work and nobody pays what they owe.”
Things Simon had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Monday after Ascension, at Prime
The wolves were howling so loud last night I thought they were right at the edge of the vines. It is too bloody dark out there. Geoffrey, you have to take the far path next time, I cannot see a thing past the old oak.
Nota scribaeThe man could not stand still while he spoke this.
the feast of Saint Mark, at Sext
I saw Kubyenka's man in the village. It made me think of coin. Some men in this watch hold on to silver that does not belong to them. A heavy chain, say. We all agreed to split it, and I am still waiting.
the Wednesday of Easter week, at None
Woke up freezing again. The bailiff gives us patched wool that would not keep a sheep warm. And the farmers look at me like I am a beggar. I am a soldier, damn it. I protect your vines.
You just walk around in the mud, same as us, lad.
I carry a weapon, Richard. I stand between you and the bandits.
Nota scribaeDictated before he had eaten his pottage.
the feast of Saint Matthias, at Vespers
There are more soldiers on the road from Kuttenberg. Cumans, some say. I hope they stay away from Lorec. I have enough trouble with the men I already know.
the Monday after Candlemas, at Terce
It is freezing mud on my boots every morning. I am sick of it. And Havel looks at me across the fire like I am dirt. He knows what he has that is mine. He knows.
I look at you and see the reason Lambert is dead.
Do not let him talk to you like that, Simon.
Nota scribaeHe stammered heavily when naming Havel.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
I will walk it, Simon. But keep your grip on that polearm.
Afraid of a few dogs in the dark, lad? Just do not trip over any roots.
Shut your mouth, Havel. I tripped, that is all. It is shit ground out there.