authority of the watch, of Trosky
“I am an authority of the watch, keeping these raw boys from killing each other. We do our duty at the gates, take our wages, and don't whine.”
Things Simon had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the eve of Whitsun, at Vespers
Wenceslas asked me again today to carry a letter to his sister Svatava. Three days' walk towards Prague! I told him my boots stay at Trosky. If the boy wants to see her, he can march there himself when his watch is done. I am sick to death of hearing the woman's name.
Nota scribaeHe crossed his arms tightly over his chest as he said this.
the second day of May, at Terce
Tobias's inspection is near, and now Wenceslas is whining for his stamped iron belt knife back. Claims he only lent it to me to cut roast meat at Easter! He handed it over to settle a three-groschen debt lost at dice. He can admit he lost it honestly, or he can explain to Tobias why his kit is short.
You know very well I only lent it, Simon! Tobias will dock me a week's wages!
A man who can't hold onto his gear deserves what Tobias gives him.
Nota scribaeThe man laughed loudly, a deep rumble.
the Thursday after Easter, at Sext
They gave us boiled cabbage from the castle kitchens again. The new boys complain it tastes of old iron. I told them to eat it and be glad they aren't chewing on saddle leather in the freezing mud like we did at Tachov. A full belly is a full belly, no matter the taste.
Aye, it's warm at least. Better than the slop we had on the road.
the feast of St Gregory, at None
Caught three of the recruits gambling away their boots near the stables. Told them if I saw the dice again, I'd toss them in the moat. We have enough trouble with the Hungarians on the roads without fighting amongst ourselves over coppers.
You should have let them play, Simon. I was winning.
the Tuesday after Candlemas, at Prime
I heard Reginald talking big in the alehouse about the mud at Tachov. Saying we were overrun. We were not overrun, Reginald hesitated. If he had pulled Ulrich up from the mud instead of standing there like a frightened sheep, Ulrich wouldn't have caught that spear. I won't hear his name dragged through the dirt to save another man's pride.
The line broke, Simon! I couldn't reach him in time. You know how thick the mud was.
A man of his word admits his faults. You let him die.
Nota scribaeDictated at the lower gates. He spoke very deliberately.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
It's just one letter, Simon. She hasn't heard from me since Christmas. Have you a stone where your heart should be?
Pay your debts first, lad, then we can talk of charity.