guard on the Suchdol wall, of Suchdol
“I watch the road, keep my jaw shut, and try to keep the lads from dying.”
Things Andreas had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the eve of St John before the Latin Gate, at Terce
The Kuttenberg road is choked with folk fleeing the Cumans, and the bread prices are a bloody crime. Now the bailiff says the Pope wants our every thought written down. If the Holy Father wants to know about my day, he can come stand a freezing watch at Suchdol himself.
Nota scribaeHe crossed himself after he said it, but refused to take the words back.
the third day of Easter week, at Sext
Back on the wall. The wind cuts right through my worn tunic. The cook boiled down the salt pork again and it tastes of old boots. Maresh will not stop whining about some lost rosary. I told him the laundress Isolde probably took it to Prague with her.
the Monday before Easter, at Prime
Ralph is shaking with fever and reeking of bad ale. I have no time to wipe a boy's brow, lest the others think I have gone soft. But if some stranger were to check his cot three times today to see he has not choked on his own sickness, I would not object.
He brought it on himself with the cheap drink. Leave the fool be.
Shut your nervous mouth, Standa, before I shut it for you.
Nota scribaeHe spoke quietly, looking at the floorboards the entire time.
the second week of Lent, at Compline
Some lads in this garrison sit on heavy pockets while the rest of us eat stale bread. A certain young fool took more than his share from a broken wagon in the snow. I want what is owed me before the ale rots his mind completely.
the Tuesday after Candlemas, at Vespers
We left Ernest in the frozen dirt by the Sazava. A good man taken by the flux, all because our Captain would not halt the march. I will not drink at his table again. God rest you, Ernest. You taught me how to stand my ground.
We had marauders on our heels, Andreas. I keep this company alive, whether you like the march or not.
Amen. He taught me how to hold my spear right. Heaven has a good watchman now.
Nota scribaeDictated with a clenched jaw. The ink froze in the pot twice before we finished.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
Careful, Andreas. The priests say the King of Hungary is marching this way with his host.