guard at the supply wagons, of Sigismund's camp
“I watch the grain sacks and try to keep my hands in my belt. A quiet life is better than a split skull.”
Things Ernest had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the eve of St Philip and St James, at Vespers
Walter cornered me by the quartermaster's tents again, demanding I take his side against Jan over some foolishness. I told him my hands are in my belt and my mouth is shut. I want no part in it.
Nota scribaeThe man spoke very slowly and stared at my inkhorn as if it might bite him.
the Thursday after Easter, at None
Thomas is counting pennies again, thinking he can buy out that seamstress Adleta in Kuttenberg. The girl is locked in a stone house and they turn soldiers away at the door. He is throwing his life away for a dream.
the Tuesday before Palm Sunday, at Compline
Saw some local villagers creeping around the wagons in the dark trying to steal their oats back. I stayed in the shadows and let them take a sack. I am not risking a knife in the ribs over the king's porridge.
Nota scribaeDictated in a low whisper, checking over his shoulder.
the feast of St Gertrude, at Terce
The river crossing was a cursed mess of mud and water. Stephen slipped off the bank and went under. Havel is screaming at Hynek for not reaching him with a pole. Jan and I were further down the bank, finding what the river washed up.
Candlemas, at Prime
The cold took Martin in the snowstorm. Now I have to listen to William, Robert, and Zdenyek bicker in the barn every night over who dropped the guide rope and who stole a lucky bone die. Fools covering their own cowardice.
Zdenyek had the rope! And I know one of you took my die.
You couldn't see your own hand in that drift, let alone a rope.
Nota scribaeHe grunted heavily after every sentence.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
You know exactly what I want, Ernest. Don't play the fool with me.
Tell him to go find Lambert in the woods if he wants a friend.
Both of you, leave me be before we all hang.