While chatting with the villagers, the captain of the mercenary guild started to say his goodbye’s and started preparing for his departure. Signaling his companions to start packing up the captain was approached by one of the most elderly of the mercenaries.

‘’Captain Skald preparations will be done in about 20 minutes.’’

The captain of the mercenary guild, Andor’s sight. Named after Andor the god of war to bless their companions in battle and proclaim victory. He was a man of the age of 45 years old, who went by the name of Skald. With a big sturdy build and a battle axe hanging on his back, he truly was a man you would trust your life with.

‘’Thank you Victor.’’

‘’Could you make sure Kaze isn’t still playing around with the villagers.’’

‘’Haha, I’ll make sure we won’t repeat what happened last time and get the young master.’’

The man who called out to the mercenary captain was his retainer. He went by the name of Victor and was around the age of 60 years old. Having a surprisingly tough build for his age people couldn’t help but think of him as a man to be wary of. But in reality he had one of the most gentle souls around the country, as long as no one dared to hurt someone close to him.

When finished loading the last remaining supplies the mercenaries were ready to depart once again, and said their final goodbye’s to the townsfolks.

After having traveled for about 8 hours captain Skald decided to stop for the rest of the day and set up camp. Near the camp ground flowed a river where part of the mercenaries decided to clean themselves of in. While others started building up camp, before long day had turned into night.

Skald called out to his men to start the strategy meeting. Gathering in the captains tent, the walls were covered with tapestries and multiple torches which lit up the entire tent, in the middle of the tent stood a big oak table on which laid a map together with cups filled with wine, and the floors were covered with carpets to keep the could feel of the earth away.

Gathering in the captains tent together with Skald there was his retainer Victor, squad captains Hiro and Renzo. And lastly Kazehaya and Fubuki who had previously proven themselves worthy of coming up with cunning strategical plans.

Little over a week ago the mercenaries were hired by the state of Nivalis to join their army to subjugate a group of bandits. Recently the bandit group has been rapidly growing, and currently exceeds a force of 2000 men strong. Around the bandits hideout there are a multitude of mountains which makes sending a large army to prove quite difficult. Skald was the first to bring this problem to light.

‘’Sending a large number of forces seems to be out of the question.’’

‘’Then how about splitting up into smaller groups?’’

The one to answer Skald’s remark was squad captain Renzo. Almost instantly rebutting his comment was the young man almost half his age Fubuki. Being the same age as Kazehaya the two of them were close since there were barely any other kids in the mercenaries. While everyone’s eye were focused on the medium build, dark brown haired youngster, he started to explain the reasoning behind his words.

‘’While coming from multiple side’s and locking our enemies in would normally be a standard strategy, the bandits have the advantage of the terrain. Mountains tend to have tons of hidden places we could never think of no matter how long we strategize, without thoroughly searching all the area’s in the mountains we will be at risk of a surprise attack.’’

Tension rose in the air, hearing Fubuki’s thoughts no one could deny that the plan was destined for failure. For about 10 minutes the room was completely silent, slowly losing their confidence. Only two people looked up with hopeful eyes those were the captain of Andor’s sight Skald and his son Kazehaya.

‘’Fubuki you just said they could hide anywhere in those mountains right?’’

Looking at the passionate eyes of his friend Fubuki couldn’t help but smile at his friend question.

‘’That’s a good look in your eyes there Kaze.’’

As if a breath of new air filled the room everyone’s attention was turned to Kaze.

‘’Captain do we still have any fireworks.’’

While The leader of Andor’s sight was smiling at his words as if expecting them, the rest of the mercenaries looked at him astonished while figuring out the meaning behind his question.

‘’Young master are you saying.’’

‘’Yes we’ll smoke them out. If we are to use fireworks and start controlled fires we will be able to make the come out of hiding.’’

Erasing the tension in the room the mercenaries regained their vigor. After spending half an hour discussing the plans details and possible vantage points.

Skald confirmed that the plan was a go by raising his glass, seeing their captain the rest of the mercenaries raised their glasses while turning their gaze towards Kaze.

‘’Young master, you truly are becoming more like your father each day. This old fool couldn’t be more proud.’’

‘’Truly a brilliant strategy Kazehaya.’’

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‘’You really are the captains son.’’

‘’Congratulations Kaze.’’

‘’Well done Kazehaya.’’

Trying to hide his embarrassment Kaze couldn’t help but feel like they were over exaggerating. While they said Kaze was becoming more and more like his father they were right, this was truly a plan only the two of the could come up with. Though there was only one misconception, Kaze wasn’t Skald’s son by blood he was his adoptive son.

Ten years ago when Kaze was only 6 years old his village got attacked by a group of bandits, almost killing all the villagers including his parents, he had given any hope of making it out alive.

But as fate would have it Andor’s sight happened to return from battle and wanted to restock in his village. When they arrived and found the band of bandits the mercenaries showed no mercy and made sure to slay each and every bandit. When Skald found Kaze he was calm as if he had already accepted his fate, this broke his heart so he decided to make it his mission to give Kaze a reason to live. 

While living with Skald, Kaze learned to read and write, Skald also passed on his sword skills even though he would have been happy if his son lead a normal live. But Kaze wouldn’t have it any other way, he looked up to the man who saved him that day and wanted to be able to look the same for others. As years passed he once again learned to laugh and hold life dear, he made friend with Fubuki and Rentaro and got into mischief like a child should.

Wrapping up their strategy meeting it were Kaze and Fubuki take their leave first. While walking out of the captains tent they saw Rentaro standing with his arms crossed and a wry smile on his face. The young man was 2 years older than both Kaze and Fubuki, with a tough build and a longsword on his back.

Though he had been a mercenary for a longer time than his two friends he had never been called for a strategy meeting. Rentaro’s style of fighting wasn’t suited for complex strategy, he was more a straight arrow cutting down any enemy in his path.

‘’Welcome back.’’

Looking at their spikey black haired friend the two youngsters greeted him with a gentle smile.

‘’You guys must be tired, let’s go grab something to eat and hit the sack.’’

‘’Sound like a plan, what do you think Fubuki?’’

‘’You two go on ahead I’ve still got to maintain my bow and armor.’’

Maintaining once weapon and armor was of significant importance, on the battlefield a well maintained breast plate could make the difference between life and death.

Waving good bye to his friends Fubuki takes his leave. After seeing of their friend Kaze and Rentaro went to the mess hall and enjoyed a dinner of bread, steamed potato’s, meat stew and dried fish. After wards the two young men when to their respective tents.

When Kaze got back to his tent he immediately felt the fatigue he had built up weigh down on him, taking of his armor and preparing himself for sleep. Instantaneously Kaze fell on the ground and wrapped himself up in blankets.

Was this truly for the best.

Wondering if the plan he had come up with was truly for the best, Kaze started to think of other ways to fight the bandits. Feeling the fatigue slowly growing on his muscles Kaze couldn’t help but fall asleep.

Waking up early in the morning by a cold breeze coming down his back. Deciding to get up against his regular instincts, Kaze puts on his light armor over his clothes.

Walking out of his tent Kaze decided to walk to the river to clean his face. After cleaning himself of Kaze returned to camp.

Guess most people are still sleeping huh. Though most of the time I’m last on up.

Deciding to take a stroll around the outskirts of camp Kaze saw a known silhouette standing in a field.

‘’Captain what are you doing here.’’

‘’Wrong Kaze.’’

Looking at his son with a smile, Skald quickly rebutted him. While pondering what he did wrong Kaze clapped his hands together.

‘’I’m sorry father.’’

Getting a smile on his face the youngster saw his father holding something in his hands.

‘’Father, are those?’’

‘’Indeed, it has been a while wasn’t it, here catch.’’

Throwing an object at his son Skald put up a fighting pose. Examining what his father had thrown him Kaze started to reminisce. It was a wooden sword, while teaching Kaze about swordsmanship Skald used to have training battles with him in this way.

‘’Now show me how much you’ve grown these past few years Kaze.’’

‘’I won’t hold back.’’

Charging at each other Kaze came at his father with a side wards slash.

‘’Too predictable!’’

Being the one to train Kaze the way of the sword Skald held the upper hand, knowing which way he would swipe Skald guarded to the side he got attacked from.

He had forgotten that although he had thought Kaze everything he knew, and knew about Kaze’s habits, Kaze knew about all of his too. Planting his feet in the ground Kaze made a hard break and went for a stab to the stomach.

Barely able to parry Kaze’s strike Skald jumped back to regain some distance.

‘’Ho not bad kid, but don’t think I got to where I am by being weak.’’

‘’Hehe I didn’t think, I would win that easily.’’

Putting up their stance both Kaze and Skald got a smile on their face.

‘’Takes you think of the old days doesn’t it son.’’

‘’Yea back when you first taught me the sword.’’

Being enthralled in their fight the two men didn’t notice the crowd that had gathered around them.

After exchanging a few blows with each other Kaze changed his stand. Holding his sword with both his hands over his shoulder and on his back, Kaze minimalized his body surface. Not knowing what to expect Skald looked at his son with pride and excitement.

‘’Is this the stance I’ve heard so much about, that has brought you these victories in battle Kaze?’’

‘’I couldn’t call myself your son if I didn’t find my own fighting style now could I.’’

Dashing towards his captain with incredible speed It took Skald a moment to process what his sons intentions were, and charged at him.

‘’Messenger!’’

Stopping in their tracks both Kaze and Skald lowered their weapons. Exchanging looks with each other the two men knew what to do.

Standing in the captains tent were Skald, his most trusted men and the messenger of the Nivalis army. Hearing out the messenger tension rose in the air and even Skald got a pained look on his face.

‘’So what you’re saying is.’’

‘’Yes, the bandit camp has split and gone into four different directions each 500 men strong. Now they are causing more trouble than they ever did before.’’

‘’So are they not together anymore.’’

Renzo setting his sight on the messenger he hoped to hear what he wanted.

‘’No it appears they are all still together. What’s more it appears they have gotten a new troublesome strategist on their site.’’

‘’Is this strategist truly that extraordinary?’’

Despair growing on the messengers face the mercenaries couldn’t help but wonder what they would go up against.

‘’It is said he is a man who goes by the name of Gandor.’’

Everyone but Kaze and Fubuki suddenly got tense, seeing the expression on their superiors faces the two youngster knew this isn’t good. Being curious Kaze had no choice but to ask to question that hung on their lips.

‘’Captain, who is this Gandor?’’

Knowing that they would eventually would go up against this man he decided to tell them.

‘’He is an old general of the kingdom of Falak, Gandor is known for being an especially cruel man. He has been known to burn down villages he came cross just for the enjoyment of despair. This is the reason he was banished from Falak, with nowhere to go he must have joined up with these bandits.’’

‘’Leader of Andor’s sight you and your guild are to go to the town of Cina and assist the second army.’’

Picking themselves up the superiors of Andor’s sight decided to start moving right away.

‘’Everyone start packing up and prepare yourselves, we are going to war!’’