guard at the lower gate, of Troskowitz
“I stand watch in the cold and eat salt pork. It is an honest wage when the captain pays it.”
Things Jezhek had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the eve of Pentecost, at Vespers
The wind on the upper wall cuts right through my old tunic. If a certain friend of mine would settle what we found in the brush last autumn, I might afford some proper wool before next winter.
Nota scribaeHe stared at his boots the entire time he spoke.
the feast of Saint John before the Latin Gate, at None
If any man is going down to the tavern tonight, I have a favour to ask. Just to look in and see if Joan Cutler is recovered from her winter cough, and if she still pours the ale. Do not speak to her on my account.
She is well enough, but you can fetch your own ale from now on, you clumsy clod.
My cough is gone. The stain on my dress is not.
Nota scribaeHis face turned a furious red as he dictated this.
the Tuesday of Easter week, at Prime
Tobias is sick again from the grey pork. I gave him my heel of bread, though it means I go hungry until dusk. Better that than listening to him heave in the barracks all day while the rest of them shout and gamble.
the feast of Saint Gregory, at Sext
Frantishek is in a black temper because I stepped on his foot during the morning drill. He says I am clumsy. I would like to see him step lightly in mud up to his ankles.
Watch where you put your big boots next time, or I will break your nose.
Leave the lad be, Frantishek. The mud is deep enough to swallow a horse.
Nota scribaeDictated while rubbing the back of his neck.
the day after Candlemas, at Compline
It rained hard today, making the mud slick just like that night on the eastern road. I saw Roger laughing by the fire. I do not know how a man can laugh when he broke the line and left Prokop behind in the dark.
I did not break the line, you snivelling whelp. The Hungarians hit us all at once.
Prokop is dead and we are not. Let it rest, Jezhek.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
Keep your voice down, lad. We agreed we wait until the captain stops looking.