provost and quartermaster, of Sigismund's camp
“I keep the slates for the Prague garrison from dawn till dusk. I keep the ledgers honest and the infantry in line, though the best man I knew is gone.”
Things Havel had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Friday before Whitsun, at None
By His wounds, I have just learned that Hynek is renting my good copper jug to the sutler, who uses it to short-measure the men's ale. I lent it to him before the spring crossing. I want it back as my rightful property, and I want my share of the groschen it earned. I would pay a stranger to go collect it.
Nota scribaeThe man stared at me without blinking the entire time he spoke.
the second Tuesday in May, at Vespers
I asked Hynek again today to carry a letter to my family in Prague. He said he has no leave. I told him he should find some, for his soul's sake. A man ought to be useful for something, if his arms are too short to reach out with a pole when it matters.
the week after Easter, at Prime
Bread is dearer again, and the rations are thin barley. Still I have to sit here and listen to Thomas prattle on about buying out the contract of that seamstress in Kuttenberg. We are fighting a war, not buying trinkets at a fair. Save your pay for a shroud, fool.
Adleta is worth ten of you miserable bastards.
Nota scribaeDictated outside the command tents. He struck his slate with a piece of chalk so hard it broke.
the middle of Lent, at Compline
I cannot sleep in this draughty barn. Every time I close my eyes I see the cart slipping on the mud and Stephen going into the freezing water. I see men standing on the bank, close enough to help, doing absolutely nothing in their panic. I pray to God I never forget his face.
Candlemas, at Terce
The patrol came back from the snowstorm without Martin. Robert, Zdenyek, and William are all pointing fingers at each other, saying he was lost in the whiteout. Three men abandoned one to die in the snow. By His wounds, I am surrounded by cowards. Martin owed half the camp money, but he deserved better.
You weren't out there, Havel. You couldn't see your own hand in front of your face!
It was Robert who said we had to turn back or die.
Nota scribaeThe dictation was interrupted twice to break up brawls among the footmen.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
You left it on the supply cart in your grief, Havel. I kept it safe. The sutler pays well.
You can keep it safe in your teeth when I come for it.