soldier, of Malesov
“I keep my sword sharp and do my watches, which is more than I can say for the rest of these soft bastards. I will take what is owed to me before I die in this mud.”
Things Walter had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Tuesday after St Mark, at Vespers
Thomas and Adam are whining again. One wants to send a message to a sister in Prague, the other has a brother in Sasau. I told them to shut their mouths before I shut them myself. No one cares. We are all going to die here with nothing, so stop bleeding about it.
Nota scribaeThe man shouted most of this. He smells of old sweat.
the second day of Easter week, at Terce
Jezhek swears he lost it in the mud during the ambush last winter. I know he is lying. He has it in his saddlebags. I will tear them apart the moment he looks away, and if I have to go to the commanders about what happened to Otto, I will.
I told you, it is gone! Otto broke formation, that is the end of it. Keep your hands off my bags.
You ran like a coward, and Otto died for it. You owe me my share, you whoreson.
Enough about Otto. The man is dead. Get back to your posts.
Nota scribaeHe refused to name what 'it' was.
the eve of Palm Sunday, at None
They say the King's brother has more Cumans coming down the roads. Let them come. Most of this garrison will piss themselves, but I will be ready. I keep my mail clean. The rest of you will be rusted to your very bones when the fighting starts.
You talk a big game, Walter. We'll see who pisses themselves.
St Matthias's day, at Sext
Another week of salted oats and hard sheep's cheese. The castellan must be selling the good meat in town. My bowels are bound so tight I haven't shit in five days. It is poison. We are starving on scraps while others grow fat on our wages.
Aye, the food is poor, but keeping discipline is what keeps us alive. Stop your grumbling and eat what you're given.
He's right though, John. I'd give a week's pay for a proper bowl of stew.
the first Monday of Lent, at Prime
The Pope wants every man's days written down. What for? So the Lord can see how we freeze on these walls for copper pennies? I have nothing to say to a priest except that the wind bites and the pay is short.
Nota scribaeDictated grudgingly before his patrol. He spat on the floor before leaving.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
Christ almighty, Walter, it is only a message to Alan. A man is allowed a family.
A man is allowed a sharp sword. Family won't stop a Cuman arrow, lad.