The Forgotten Cadre was a successful wolf pack, led first by the alphess Tath, then by her son, Bran. However, when a wolf unsatisfied with Bran led a rebellion, which, in the quelling, many wolves were injured or betrayed, Bran decided to lead his pack to a new land, in the hopes of a new start. But on the way, disaster struck.

A band of wolves, all exiled from their packs for their violence and cruelty, attacked the Cadre as it traveled, using ambush tactics then withdrawing. Soon, they had claimed the lives of many wolves, including Bran, the leader, who fell as he tried to lead a counterattack against on of their ambushes. The next casualty was Daern, who, in taking up the lead, was gravely injured, and died soon after. It seemed all was lost until a strange wolven, not from either side, appeared to the remnants of the Cadre and offered to lead them to safety. He gave his name as Vedros. With him guiding them through the woods, the wolves escaped any more major confrontations with the attackers and made it safely here.

With their lives no longer in jeopardy, the survivors start to mourn the fallen, and to try to rebuild. Meanwhile, some wonder how Vedros could outmaneuver the rogues so easily. And discontent starts to breed...