soldier at Nebakov fortress, of Nebakov fortress
“I watch the road and wait for my pay. I am surrounded by fools and cowards.”
Things Andrew had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Friday before Whitsun, at Vespers
Hugh still hoards the timber in the upper keep while we rot. I woke up soaked again. If I do not get a dry shingle over my head soon, I am taking a hammer to his storehouse myself.
Nota scribaeHe clenched his fists so hard I thought he would strike me.
the feast of St Pancras, at Terce
Andreas is whining about his sister Anne again. I swear to God, if he asks me to carry a message to Kuttenberg one more time, I will feed him his own teeth. Shut your mouth and stand your watch.
the second day of Easter week, at Prime
Richard gave us salted pork again. I chewed on a piece that tasted like old boot leather. A dog would turn its nose up at it. But up in heaven Baldwin is feasting, so there is that.
You eat what the lord pays for, Andrew. Be glad it's not weevils.
the feast of St Gregory, at None
Another day watching the road. The mud is deep enough to swallow a cart. Some merchant passed by saying the bread is dearer in Kuttenberg because of the King's brother. I just want word sent to my village.
If a peddler heads that way, I'll pay him a penny to carry your word.
Nota scribaeDictated slowly, staring at the floor the entire time.
the morrow of Candlemas, at Sext
It has been months since the ambush in the woods, and still Joseph will not look me in the eye. You broke the line, you whoreson. Baldwin died because you ran. Admit your cowardice before the company.
It was dark and there were too many of them. Baldwin told us to fall back!
Leave it be, Andrew. Shouting about it won't bring the good man back.
Nota scribaeHe spoke this with a bitterness that chilled the room.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
Amen to that, Andrew. My boots haven't been dry since Easter.
Keep your hands off the lord's wood, guardsman, or you will lose them.