guardsman at Nebakov gate, of Nebakov fortress
“I watch the main gate and keep my kit clean. That is enough for any man.”
Things Gilbert had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the eve of Ascension, at Vespers
Andreas asked me again today. Griped my shoulder and begged me to walk all the way to Kuttenberg to tell his sister Anne he lives. I told him no. I have no reason to walk that road, and the captain has us here. I wish he would accept it.
Nota scribaeHe sighed three times while telling me this.
the second day of Easter week, at Prime
They were arguing about Baldwin again last night. It has been half a year since the ambush. Blaming each other for who ran first does not bring a dead man back. I ate my oats in Richard Clark's lean-to just to hear myself think.
the Thursday before Palm Sunday, at None
Men spit when Steward Hugh walks by because the barracks roof leaks. They demand dry timber from the upper keep. Lords keep the good timber. Common guards sleep in the damp. That is the way of the world. Shouting about it only makes the air sour.
Easy for you to say, you claimed the driest corner.
Nota scribaeDictated at the gate. He stared blankly over my shoulder the whole time.
the feast of St Gregory, at Sext
A merchant's cart came through the gate today carrying flour and salt. He said the roads are thick with soldiers and the bread prices are climbing. If the Cumans ever test our palisade, I pray our men stop bickering long enough to hold the wall.
the morrow of Candlemas, at Terce
The winter has been long, but gate duty is quiet. I polished my basic kit this morning. Prokop came by to complain about the cold, but I just nodded until he walked away. If you keep your mouth shut, the days pass easier.
You are a quiet one, Gilbert, but you stand a fair watch.
Nota scribaeThe man spoke very slowly and without much joy.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
It is only a few days' walk, Gilbert. A Christian would do it for a friend.
I am not walking to Kuttenberg.
If you do go, take word to my uncle too.