levyman at Nebakov fortress, of Nebakov fortress
“I watch the gate, check the wagons, and drink sour ale. The men talk too much.”
Things Benesh had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the second Tuesday in May, at None
Prokop is sweating through his tunic. The sutler Bozhena took off for Jicin at Easter, and he pawned Zdenyek's steel kettle hat to pay her for his dice debts. Sixty groschen that hat cost. I will sit right here with my cup when Zdenyek finds out.
Nota scribaeThe man smiled for the first time in an hour.
the first day of May, at Prime
The cabbage pottage today tastes of old wood and the rain is coming through the roof over the far privy again. At least it drowns out the noise of the older men bickering.
It is better than starving on the road, lad.
the Thursday before Easter, at Vespers
I saw Ralph spit by the gate. He acts as if Martinmas never happened. As if we don't all know who dropped the iron latch on that barn door when the Hungarians came at the Apollonia rocks. Denis died because of a coward.
I bolted nothing! We all ran in the dark, you whoreson! You dropped your spear and fled just as fast!
I ran, but I did not lock a man in to die.
Nota scribaeDictated with his arms crossed tightly over his chest.
the feast of St Gregory, at Terce
Searched three carters this morning. Found grain hidden under a pile of filthy rags in the second wagon. They squealed about the toll, but I don't make the rules. Just glad I didn't catch the pox touching their sacks.
Did you at least keep a handful for us?
the morrow of Candlemas, at Sext
Packing my rucksack today. Denis showed me how to fold the blanket so it doesn't rub your back raw on the march. He was the only one worth a damn in this garrison. God rest him, since nobody else will.
He was a decent sort. We all miss the plum brandy he found, too.
Nota scribaeHe stared down at his boots the entire time he spoke.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
Keep your bloody mouth shut, Benesh, I'll have the coin by Sunday.
You will have a broken jaw by Friday.