'I met a traveller the other day, a man who seemed to me to have great wisdom. We spoke for a short time, and he said something that seemed to me of much importance: "knowledge is the best defence we have against those who would do us harm."

'I got to thinking, and I think that traveller was right. We need sharp swords and broad shields, but if we study the deeds of yesteryear, we are sure to draw from them lessons that will serve us well even today!

'I want to instill in the men under my command some of these lessons. If you know a scholar of some skill, he might be able to make sense of the materials of the past and give to you some teaching of past lore. Bring some minor battle-lore and some minor weaponsmithing-lore to me, and I will pay you for the trouble, (your name), with coins and other goods.'