guard at the lower gates, of Trosky
“I stand my shifts and try to stay out of the mud. A quiet life is a long one.”
Things Zdenyek had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the second Tuesday in May, at Vespers
Wenceslas is talking about his sister Svatava again. The boy never stops. I crossed myself three times just to drown it out. The cabbage was mostly water today, but at least I am not lying in the mud.
Nota scribaeHe made the sign of the cross the entire time he spoke.
Saint Mark's day, at None
Quartermaster Tobias is checking belts today. Any man without his standard-issue blade loses a week of wages. I have mine. I sit against the stone wall and watch Andrew scramble around the yard looking for his.
the third day of Easter week, at Prime
Daniel and Gilbert are shouting again about some strongbox of silver found in a ruined waystation. I walked to the other side of the yard. Riches only bring men with spears, and I have had enough of spears.
I found it fair and square, he was not even there!
You were supposed to be watching my flank, you greedy whoreson.
Nota scribaeThe dictating was interrupted by a loud argument across the courtyard.
the Monday after Saint Gregory, at Terce
Reginald and Prokop are still fighting over who let Ulrich fall at Tachov. I keep my mouth shut. The mud was thick, the line broke, and poor Ulrich caught a spear in the gut. Up in heaven there is no mud.
the week of Candlemas, at Compline
The older men ask when I will walk barefoot to the monastery at Sedletz, as I swore to God when the fever had me. The roads are thick with mercenaries and my boots are the only warm things I own. Surely the Lord understands.
God does not forget a vow made in desperation, lad. Better start walking.
There is a bandit camp on the path. I saw their fires myself.
Nota scribaeHe asked if the Lord would strike him down before I had finished writing.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
If I hear her name one more time I will throw myself off the wall.
She is all the blood I have left. Have some pity.