soldier of the garrison, of Nebakov fortress
“I joined the levy to fight, but mostly I am just a servant freezing my arse off on the wall.”
Things John had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Tuesday before Whitsun, at Vespers
If Robert does not give me what is mine by tomorrow, I am going to the ale-wife with empty hands again. Saint Wenceslas give me patience! He acts like my father, keeping things buried while my skin is at risk. I am a soldier, not a bloody beggar.
Nota scribaeDictated in a rush. The young man could not stand still for a moment.
the eve of the Ascension, at None
I am so sick of hearing Thomas moan about his sister Eleanor and her spring planting in Suchdol. If you hate it here so much, just leave in the night! We all have our own troubles to carry.
My discharge was promised at Easter. The captain is a tyrant who keeps us here for nothing.
the second day of Easter week, at Terce
Hynek is drinking himself blind again. I know he feels heavy over Matthew breaking his leg in the ravine and dying of the fever, but the cheap ale will not bring the lad back. God rest him, but I have my own debts to fret over.
Matthew was my messmate. Have some bloody respect, John.
The boy could not watch his feet in the dark. It is not my fault.
Nota scribaeThe dictating was interrupted twice by the man checking over his shoulder.
the Friday after St Gregory, at Prime
Another morning in the cold mud of the stables. I joined up to hold a spear, not to shovel horse dung before the sun is even up. Maresh and I get all the worst work just because we are the youngest.
Stop whining, lad. We all shoveled dung when we were fresh.
the first week of Lent, at Sext
A wet patrol down by the Vidlak ponds today. We found an abandoned poacher's camp in the brush. Nothing but mud and a bit of luck buried in the dirt. But what good is luck if you cannot even spend it?
Hold your tongue. The captain has ears everywhere, and you will doom us both.
Nota scribaeThe man kept tapping his foot against the floorboards while speaking.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
Keep your voice down, you fool. Wait until the captain rides for Kuttenberg, or we all suffer a whipping.
I cannot wait, you stubborn arse! She is going to the bailiff.