Chronicles of the Black Company by Glen Cook
This compilation is composed of the three Books of the North; namely, The Black Company , Shadows Linger and The White Rose . The story is told from the point of view of Croaker, a member of a mercenary unit called the Black Company. The later books have other POV characters. The Black Company, at the beginning of the first book with the same title, is employed by the Syndic of Beryl. But the unit's survival becomes questionable as their employer seems to be on the losing battle against the rival factions of his city. That is when a Taken named Soulcatcher offers them a chance to serve the Lady. The Company acquires new members during its adventures with its new employers. One is a mysterious guy who calls himself Raven. This Raven later rescues a child named Darling. The books explain bit by bit the history of the world in which this series is set. The first few pages did seem confusing to me, but it was only because the author's style is something I haven...