Mercenaries are sell swords, barbarians, hired for their secrecy skills and warlike disposition. They are born with a blade in hand and even with light equipment they pack a formidable punch. Even those who are wet behind the ears work as throw-away troops to hinder a stronger rival or "ally", and with sufficient experience they can leave most soldiers trailing in their wake. The squat barbarians of the steppe are raised along with their mount and live with until separated by death either of horse or rider. The fact that they can call in their friends at a moment's notice makes it a good idea to keep one or two on sentry in frontier town--as long as the money keeps flowing. A Mercenary that has served some time in the armed forces of any country that needs them finishes up as wealthy by an