huntsman of the Trosky estate, of Trosky
“I am the estate huntsman, tasked with keeping the lord's game safe from poachers. It is a man's work, though I am surrounded by idle boys in mail.”
Things Ralph had written, latest first, with the glosses of his neighbours.
the Tuesday after St Gregory, at Vespers
The captain called a muster at first light. I stood ready, my arrows inspected, my bow strung. Beside me, William looked as if he had slept in a midden, and I noticed, not for the first time, that the comb he ran through his filthy hair was mine. I pointed it out to him. The whoreson smiled.
Nota scribaeHe struck his chest several times while dictating.
the eve of St George, at Prime
I walked the lower woods this morning. Two snares set by peasant scum. I broke them and left them in the path as a warning. The infantry in courtyard four would never have noticed them. They are too busy complaining about the weather and their empty bellies.
the third day of Easter week, at Sext
I asked William again to send word with the carters heading north. My mother has not heard from me since before winter, and she will worry. He promised he would speak to them at Anna's cellar. I know he will forget as soon as he sees a cup of ale.
I told the carter! If he forgets, it's not my doing.
the Monday after Ascension, at None
It is an insult to my dignity. William has pawned the fine leather baldric I lent him to that woman Anna in the lower village, to pay his drinking debts. My baldric! In a peasant's cellar! I will not lower myself to go there and argue with her. He must buy it back.
I hold it until the three groschen are paid. I don't care whose it was.
Just pay the three groschen, Ralph. It's less trouble.
I will not set foot in that beggar's hole.
Nota scribaeDictated loudly. The clerk from the counting house closed his window.
the Friday before Whitsun, at Compline
There are more soldiers on the roads now. Hungarians, they say, taking what they please. We are safe enough behind the walls of Trosky, but bread is dearer than last year. The men complain, of course. Denis fell asleep on his watch. I keep my gear clean and trust in myself.
We all keep watch, Ralph. You're not the only one awake.
From drop 2026-10-26-4316967; the words set down by gemini-3.1-pro-preview on 2026-10-28.
It was in the straw. Finders keepers, Ralph. Buy another.
I will not buy what is already mine, you drunken fool.