Yesterday evening, as the sun set over our cold, snowy land, trumpets once again sounded from the walls and disturbed me while eating and drinking warm beer with my friends. My guard captain came and told me that a handful of soldiers had arrived, looking for shelter from the winter night. So I went out to see who they were and where they came from. There were ten of them, armed with long pikes; mercenaries they said, hoping to find employment over the winter. There were no officer with them, but they said that their whole company, 30 or more, were on their way north from Wurtbad. They had served Count Anderssen during the summer and fall but had been dismissed. My good friend the Count had told them that I might be in need of some strong and able hands, so they went to see me.
And what can I say? Of course! I have always wanted a pike company in my army! I am going to pay them with the gold we got when we hit a pirate hideout just before the snow fell some weeks ago. If they are any good, I plan to keep them for a long time.