guard at Pritoky fortress, of Pritoky
“I stand at the inner gate and see that duties are done. Too many in this garrison treat the watch as a place to sleep.”
Things Zdenyek had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Tuesday after Ascension, at Sext
Three wagons came up from Kuttenberg today. I made the drivers step down and checked the canvas myself. The older men wave them through, but I will not. We are at war, even if the rest of the yard has forgotten it.
Nota scribaeHe stood with his arms crossed the whole time he spoke.
the second day of May, at None
Standa sits by the wall counting his pennies again. A man should spend his time cleaning his weapons, not hoarding coin. When the levy is called and you are sent to the mud, the Hungarians will not care how much silver you saved.
A blunt halberd is bad, but starving in winter is worse. Mind your own purse.
the third day of Easter week, at Prime
I slept poorly. Whenever I close my eyes, I hear Vitek calling for help in the mud. He was a steady man, and he died because the line was broken. Some of us hold our ground. Others run and leave their betters to the arrows.
There were too many of them in the trees. I did not murder him, Zdenyek. We were overrun.
You broke the line. Do not speak to me.
Nota scribaeDictated in a low, furious voice.
the Monday after St Gregory, at Vespers
Baldwin asked me if I knew a rider heading north, to carry a letter to his mother Drahomira. I told him to keep his mind on the treeline. He is a good lad, but he is too soft for the wall. The wind alone will break him.
She worries, Zdenyek. It is only a piece of parchment.
Candlemas, at Terce
The wind off the trees is sharp today. I buckled my padded jack tight and spent the morning drilling with my halberd. The veterans argue over lent gear and old grudges. It is a disgrace to the uniform. Captain Bright ought to flog them.
You are a stiff one, lad. A bit of ale and a quarrel keeps the blood warm.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
Aye, Zdenyek. Better safe than sorry with the roads as they are.