veteran soldier at Trosky, of Trosky
“I have stood on walls like these long enough to know when an army is forgotten. We do our duty in the mud while the King remembers us not.”
Things Walter had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the third day of May, at Vespers
We have not seen our wages since Easter. I asked Hugh to carry a word to Kuttenberg for my sister Vlasta, just to say I live, since we cannot leave the castle. He refused, saying he is no messenger boy. A man learns the worth of his friends in hard times.
the Thursday after Easter, at Sext
Richard is still demanding fifteen groschen for the old rag of a tunic I borrowed back on Saint Matthew's day. I slipped in the mud, aye, but the hem was already fraying to nothing. If he admits to the whole guardhouse it was a ruin before I put it on, I might pay him a penny.
It was my best woollen tunic! You were drunk as a lord and tore the sleeve clean off.
Please, just pay him, Walter. I cannot sleep for his complaining.
Nota scribaeDictated from the wall. He rested his hand on his belt the entire time.
the Tuesday after Saint Gregory, at Compline
Sergeant Tuma declared Denis a deserter today without asking a single question. Thomas claims footpads took him in the dark while I was drinking. A lie to cover his own failing. Thomas fell asleep on watch, and Denis simply walked away to his family.
You could barely stand that night, Walter. Denis wouldn't leave his cloak if he was just walking home.
You slept, Thomas. Admit you failed your watch and I will let it lie.
Nota scribaeThe man spoke very slowly and would not raise his voice, though his anger was plain.
the first Friday of Lent, at None
Boiled cabbage and salted pork again from the cook. I eat in silence, but young Nicholas coughs his lungs out and Richard whines about the rain. There are boys here who complain at every drop from the sky. They know nothing of a real campaign.
My tunic wouldn't be ruined if you hadn't worn it in the rain.
Candlemas, at Vespers
We lost Prokop under the ice at Nebakov pond today. Hynek led the patrol as he should, winter is just a cruel master. Jezhek blames Hynek, but it was Adam who panicked with the rope. A hard end for a quiet lad, but the Lord calls when He will.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
I am a soldier, Walter, not a carrier pigeon. Pay a merchant to ride to Kuttenberg.
With what groschen, Hugh? The ones Sergeant Tuma docked or the ones the King forgot?