militiaman at Trosky, of Trosky
“I am a militiaman. I walk the walls, keep my head down, and do as the sergeant orders.”
Things John had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the eve of St John before the Latin Gate, at Vespers
Joseph keeps asking me about the thing we found in the ditch. I tell him again, we must wait. If the captain sees us with too much silver, we'll both be at the pillory. A man must have patience and keep his mouth shut.
Nota scribaeHe spoke in a low whisper, looking over his shoulder thrice.
the Monday after St George, at Prime
The spring muster is coming and young Jan is pacing the bailey like a trapped rat. He left his kettle hat with Avice the ale-wife. I would give him the groschen to redeem it, but a man cannot risk showing coin he ought not have.
She will not give it back unless I pay the slate. The sergeant is going to flay me.
the third day of Easter week, at Sext
If Philip had a heart in his chest, he would carry Walter's message to Prague. The lad does nothing but pine for his brother Andreas the bootmaker. But Philip refuses out of spite, and now I must hear about the bootmaker until my ears bleed.
I am no messenger boy. Let him walk to Prague himself.
Andreas makes the finest boots in the city. He would reward a good deed.
Nota scribaeHe rubbed a brass ring on his thumb the entire time he spoke.
the Tuesday after Laetare Sunday, at Compline
We buried Vashek today. He broke the line in the skirmish and brought his end on himself, but it is a bitter waste of a good life. We shared our rations all winter. I only wish he had paid me the three groschen he owed before he fell.
the Monday after St Matthias, at Terce
Stood in the bailey since dawn. Wiped the dew from my spear and rubbed the iron until it shone. The regulars mock us militia, but we do the same work for less bread. Keep your head down, that is the only way.
Aye, less bread and more mud on the boots.
Nota scribaeDictated while staring at his own boots.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
I have a thirst now, John. Waiting does a man no good if he dies of a parched throat before he spends it.
Drink water from the well. It is cheaper than the whip.