praguer contingent watchman, of Sigismund's camp
“I am an honest soldier keeping my eyes open while half this camp sleeps.”
Things Jezhek had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the eve of the Ascension, at Vespers
Bloody hell, if Paul asks me one more time to carry a letter to his mother Magdalena in Prague, I will break my finger pointing at the ground. I am not riding to Prague. We have not been paid in three months. I am staying right here.
Nota scribaeHe was jabbing his finger at the table the entire time he spoke.
the second day of Easter week, at Prime
We are eating boiled millet from cracked clay bowls again. I would not mind, but I have a heavy tin plate from Prague. Only I lent it to Leonard on St Blaise's day when he had the flux, and the whoreson kept it. Now he rents it out for a penny.
the Tuesday after St Gregory, at Terce
Wenceslas the sutler has moved his wagon to the Hungarian lines. Bloody hell, at least I am not drowning in debt to him like Reginald and Vashek. They jump at every shadow thinking he has come to collect. A smart watchman keeps his purse closed.
Keep your voice down, Jezhek. You will bring him down on us.
the morrow of St Matthias, at None
Simon is dead, beaten in the mud by peasants near the ruined mill. Daniel and Leonard fled like cowards. Now Leonard spreads lies that I was asleep on the perimeter watch. Bloody hell, I was wide awake! Simon was a fool to wander off alone.
You did not shout a warning. Your eyes were closed, I saw it.
There were too many of them, Jezhek. We had no choice but to run.
Nota scribaeHe spoke in a rapid rush, looking around as if the camp provost was listening.
Candlemas, at Sext
This is the worst winter this kingdom has seen. The wind off the Kuttenberg fields cuts right through my coat. But I stand my perimeter duty, strictly and properly, not like the whelps shivering by the fires. Just an honest soldier, waiting for silver.
Amen to that. I cannot feel my toes anymore.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
She just needs to know I am alive, Jezhek. You used to eat her hard cheese.
And it was good cheese, Paul, but I am still not walking to Prague for it.