soldier at the Raborsch garrison, of Around Raborsch
“I stand the watch at Raborsch, friend. It beats breaking your back in the silver mines, even if the coin is late. A man has to look out for himself.”
Things William had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the eve of St Urban, at None
Richard is whining again about the muster for Saint John's Day. I told the lad the smith is slow with the dents in his kettle hat, but he will not let it rest. Christ's wounds, friend, just tell Captain Tobias it fell in the river.
Nota scribaeDictated at the gate. The man wiped his nose on his hand three times.
the Tuesday after St Mark, at Vespers
Patrolled the woods today. Walked slow and kept out of the thickets where the Hungarians might hide. Ernest kept looking at me sideways, muttering about when we are going to see some profit from our winter work by the mill. I told him a smart man waits for the right buyer.
I am done waiting, friend. You said we would split the silver. Find a buyer or give me my half of the chain.
Keep your voice down, Ernest. Do you want the captain to hear?
the third day of Easter week, at Prime
Had a terrible thirst last night and the dice turned against me. I borrowed Richard's spare kettle hat this morning. He thinks it has a dent and I am taking it to the smith for him. A pawn broker in the lower town gave me enough groschen to clear my slate.
I saw you slinking out of the pawnbroker's shop. You have no shame, William.
Nota scribaeHe spoke quietly so the others would not hear.
the second Wednesday of Lent, at Terce
My purse is flat as a run-over toad. I had to walk the long way around the yard just to avoid Joan Alder's stall. The woman has a sharp eye and a sharper tongue, and she will not give a thirsty guardsman credit.
Credit is for men who pay their debts. I know you, William.
Aye, she turned me away yesterday too. A hard woman.
Candlemas, at Compline
John woke up screaming again. Christ's wounds, it has been weeks since poor Standa caught that arrow in the mud by the mill, and the boy still weeps like a child. I sleep heavy, but not heavy enough to block out his nightmares.
He died right next to me! You did not even care, you just went digging in the bushes.
Up in heaven there will be no poachers troubling him. Drink some ale and go to sleep, friend.
Nota scribaeDictated with a sore head.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
Tobias will dock my pay for a month! Go to the smith and bring it back, dented or not.
A prudent soldier keeps his own gear close. You have only yourself to blame, Richard.