Gilbert knelt down to pull his brown leather boots up higher above his shin. Everything had to be perfect before heading into battle. First impressions are horribly important to the intimidation of not only the opposing force, but his own troops as well.

People often question Gilbert's tactics for leadership. He always seems to try and frighten them into obeying him, but not in such a horrid way as Ruka Bright, in more of a gentle intimidation. He never threatens them directly, but merely raises an eyebrow or points a finger and they do as he pleases. It's a succesful tatic, and that's the way it will always be.

Gilbert walked over to a counter where a clean rag lay folded. He picked it up in his gloved hand and began to polish his armor even further. Cleanliness is Godliness... Gilbert thought to himself as he vigourosly rubbed away at his armor.

A soldier entered Gilbert's tent abruptly, "Sir!" he said while saluting.

"At ease. What is it?" Gilbert said, setting the rag back down on the counter.

"The bandits have finally arrived, sir," the soldier said, still saluting.

"Really? It's about time. Let's make this battle quick, where's Inuki?" Gilbert said as he hastily grabbed his sword and slid it into it's sheath.

"Right here," the female strategist said as she entered the tent. "Get out there with the rest of them." She ordered to the soldier. He bowed his head, and ran out to where the rest of the mercenaries were waiting. Inuki had long, silky, black hair, which she put in a pony-tail behind her head. She wore the same purple komono that she always wore, and she carried her spear with her.

"I don't think we really need a strategy for this battle, " Gilbert said. "What do you think?"

"No. It isn't necessary. The bandit leader, Larmen, isn't exactly a brilliant tactician. He's predictable and not very well thought out. This should be a simple head to head fight, that we will most definatley win."

Gilbert smiled, "Excellent. I hate when there are complicated strategies involved. Simple charge and kill is the way I like it."

Inuki returned his smile, "I know. You're a man." They both laughed and exited Gilbert's well-kept tent. All the soldiers stood up and saluted to Gilbert and Inuki.

"Listen up everyone! Today's fight is pretty cut and dry. Simply charge and hit them hard and fast, that's all there is to it. We may just be simple mercs, but they're just petty bandits. All right, are you all ready?"

"Yes SIR!" the soldiers all yelled in unison.

"All right then, let's get out there!" Gilbert exclaimed as he un-sheathed his sword and pointed the blade in the direction of where they're heading. The soldiers were all yelling various battle cried as they charged forward at a galloping pace.

The sparks from the blade sharpener went dancing through the air, and the sound of Larmen's axe against the iron wheel was grating. A young bandit burst into the tent where Larmen was smithing.

"Larmen, sir! There's an army charging towards our fort! The mayor of Zexen must've found out about us raiding them today and hired mercenaries to stop us!"

"WHAT!?" Larmen said, wide-eyed in horror. "Deploy troops immediatley, we'll try to hold them off!"

"Yes, sir!" the bandit said as he ran out.

Larmen paced back and forth from within the confinment of his tent. His eyes were filled with fear and horror, he knew his luck had finally run out.

He looked up towards the sky, "God, please be with be during this battle..."

The sky was a pastel-purple color as the sun began to settle in for the night. The cries of dying men surrounded the cool air, and the loud clanging of steel against steel didn't seem to overpower it.

Gilbert hacked through the soldiers as if he were hacking through shrubbery in a jungle. The soldiers went down one by one, each screaming in pain and horror as they fell. Some dying instantly...while others dying slowly.

"Damn..." Larmen muttered under his breath as he watched his men collapse one by one. After viewing this spectacle for a good hour or so, it came down to about ten or eleven of his men left. Gilbert strutted up to Larmen with a broad smile running across his face.

"Surrender, or loose that ugly head of yours. Which will it be?" Gilbert said as he held up his sword.

"I'd rather eat dirt then surrneder without a fight!" Larmen announced, increasing the grasp on his axe.

"You allready fought," Gilbert reminded the bandit captain. "Now answer the question. Die or surrender?"

Larmen gritted his teeth, "DIE!!!" he yelled as he charge towards Gilbert. Gilbert easily side-stepped out of the way, while close-hanging Larmen in the neck with his sword. Larmen's body fell limp to the ground, and his head rolled in the opposite dircetion. Gilbert's men surrounded the remaining bandits, and took them into custody.

Gilbert lifted the tea cup to his lips, and took a sip of the smooth hot liquid inside. Inuki made better tea than anyone alive.

"Looks like you gained nine new soldiers," Inuki said to Gilbert smiling. "That battle went better than I expected."

"They agreed to join us?" Gilbert said a little surprised.

"Well, wouldn't you choose to fight for a mercenary battalion then die?" Inuki said intelligently.