The Led

Compagna della Santa Caterina (a bargain at 350 ducats) The former city guard of Firenza, Company of Saint Catherine is back up to strength after their rough handling in our successful ouster of Piero Pusilanimo, pretender Prince of Parma.

Gatopardi di Sulmona (fairly priced at 350 ducats) The trouser company Gatopardi of Sulmona are making quite a name for themselves as men who will not break from combat – about 70 percent of the time.

Bravi degli Borgo Antico (if you pay cash now, only 66 ducats) The boys from the old neighborhood, led by their chief, Joccoppo Squarcialupe. After a busy year carving up countless hobgoblins, I never work without them.

Marksmen of Marignano (on sale at 120 ducats) Still with us, The Marksmen of Marignano look very much like their more famous colleagues from Miragliano, but have two major advantages over their pricey doppelgangers: they are cheaper and they are lucky. Enjoy the savings! Hope for the best!

6 Saraceni di Saracen (what could be better at 99 ducats?) Fahid Ibrahim's cavalry escort from the village of Saracen in Montefeltro replaced a troop of unruly hobgoblin wolf riders that we had killed during a contract dispute. Did I really say that? What was I thinking? They died in a fire. Yes, a fire.