The hares were gone. The badger was gone. The death remained! The badger Lord of Salamandastron had come and destroyed my village of Marlfoxes. I had hidden in a secret cellar in our cottage. The hares came and finished off most of the Marlfoxes. The rest were executed as the badger claimed they were the scum of the earth, although we were peaceful farmers. Three days later, I emerged from the cellar, my provisions gone. I was three seasons old. I left the village and wandered for many seasons, surviving off the roots and berries my parents had shown me were good. After five seasons of wandering, I came across a deserted dwelling. I found a stream nearby and plenty of food in the larder. I decided to stay. Two months later I heard swords clanking outside. I went out and found two hares dead, a third one battling an aged but experienced Marlfox. The hare thrust and took the Marlfox in the side. When examining his comrades, he saw me. Walking toward me, sword raised, he suddenly had a look of pain on his face. He fell down and I saw the Marlfox standing behind him, lowering his axe. He looked at me and said," Hey, young'en". Then he collapsed, unconscious. I took him in to my house and nursed him as best I could. He told me in spouts of consciousness that his wife and children were killed by the hares of the Long Patrol. I told him of my experiences with the hares. "So", he said when he was finally better,"do you want me to teach you the ways of warfare?" "Yes".