guard at courtyard four, of Trosky
“I am a sensible man who keeps his head down while the others wait for the butcher like blind sheep. A quiet man lives longer.”
Things Julian had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the eve of Whitsun, at Vespers
Saint George protect me, I saw the bailiff's clerk today. Edward was looking over the courtyard with his roll of parchment. I have something wrapped in a rag that might make him look past my name when the muster comes. A man must make his own luck in this world.
Nota scribaeHe was wringing his hands and picking at his tunic the entire time he spoke.
Saint George's Day, at Prime
Some fool left a perfectly good eating knife on the bench in the lower mess last night. If a man does not look after his iron, he does not deserve to keep it. I put it somewhere safe. It will serve a better purpose soon enough.
the Tuesday after Laetare Sunday, at Sext
William and Ralph are arguing over a bone comb again. The Hungarians are in the country and these fools bicker like children. Alan is the only one with any sense. He keeps his mouth shut and his coins hidden. I should have gone to the gate watch early to escape the noise.
It is about the baldric that Anna holds, not the comb, you coward.
Nota scribaeThe man spoke very quickly, looking over his shoulder at the barracks door.
the second day of Lent, at Compline
The captain spoke of a patrol down by the river. My blood runs cold at the thought of it. They want to save paying mercenaries by sending us to die in the dirt. I still hear Martin screaming when the rearguard broke three winters ago. I will not end up trampled like that.
the morrow of Candlemas, at None
It was bitter cold at the gate today. I checked the axles of three wagons and made sure the carters paid their toll. I kept my pennies in my pouch. Anna the ale-wife will not see a single groschen of it. A man needs savings if he wants to buy his way out of trouble.
Just do your rounds and keep quiet, Julian. The captain has eyes everywhere.
Nota scribaeHe counted the coins in his pouch three times before he let me write this down.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
You worry too much, Julian. Let them call us up. I will give them a fight.
You can have my share of the glory, David. I prefer to keep my blood inside my veins.