soldier at Trosky castle, of Trosky
“I have been marching and bleeding for the lord while half these pups were still shitting in the hay. Now I just stand watch and try to keep what little I own safe.”
Things Ralph had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Thursday before Whitsun, at Compline
The steward is talking about inspecting the barracks again. Whoreson has nothing better to do than turn out our chests and look at our dirty tunics. I told Roger to keep his mouth shut and let the storm pass. We do not need to be moving anything right now.
Nota scribaeDictated in a low whisper near the latrines. The man kept looking over his shoulder.
the third day of Easter week, at None
Still no word sent east to my brother Anthony. I know Simon gave his word to ride that way, but the cowardly pup is lying to save himself a few days in the saddle. If William was not always riding south for Thomas's whining sister, I would ask him.
the Tuesday after St Benedict, at Sext
Pacing these outer walls is freezing the marrow in my bones. And what for? The Cumans are not going to scale Trosky in this fog. I would rather be down at the tavern with a watered ale than stamping my boots to pieces up here.
Aye, my toes went numb two hours ago. I will buy you a cup when the bells ring.
Nota scribaeThe ink froze in my pot before he was finished speaking.
the eve of St Matthias, at Vespers
Some new lad brushed against my chest at the foot of my pallet this morning. I told him if he steps that close to my corner again, he will be picking his teeth out of the straw. You cannot trust anyone in this garrison.
I only sent the boy to sweep the floors, Ralph. You do not need to threaten every shadow in the room.
Candlemas, at Prime
These young pups are at it again, arguing about who broke the shield wall last autumn. They do not know shit. Captain Julian was a blind idiot who marched us into a freezing ravine to starve. We left good men in the mud, and I still hear the screaming.
Captain Julian was a good man. You veterans just could not hold the line.
Shut your mouth, Simon. You were not even in the vanguard.
Nota scribaeThe man crossed himself three times after saying this.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
I am tired of waiting, Ralph. It is doing us no good sitting in the dark. We should have split it by now.
You are a hot-headed fool. One word to the steward and we both take a short drop from the walls.