Private Noctemien 
Private Noctemien Snakewing
8233 Helena Dr
Orlando, FL 32817
April 16, 2004
Captain Mombera MacGillicuddy,
How to Be a Hero Correspondence School
Warrior Headquarters
Silmaria, Marete
Glorianna
Dear Captain MacGillicuddy,
I wish to be a true warrior of the How to Be a Hero Correspondence School and
justify the Warrior Way through my actions and deeds. As part of this goal, I
am sending you this letter of introduction in order to further acquaint myself
and my intentions with this institute.
My name is Noctemien Snakewing. I have not the clean background that some may
have, and as I have found honesty begets trust, I shall admit here that I was
once a highwayman. A thief, if you will. However, stealing for profit, fun and
survival rang hollow within me. There was no fufillment in my deeds. Rather,
I became increasingly ashamed of them as time passed. Granted, this garnered
some harsh discredit from the local band of brigands in my area, however, I could
not bring myself to remain in the unsavory profession any longer. I studied a
great many books, such as The Hero and the Crown by one Robin McKinley, The Hobbit
by J.R.R. Tolkien, Sabriel by Garth Nix, and Anthem by Ayn Rand. All of these
dictated a different definition of the sole word I thought I was incapable of
grasping: honor. And yet as I read, I knew that in my heart I had already learned
and understood that sacred word, as well as a great many others: valor, glory,
victory, justice. I found that going against the grain was not only commendable,
but could lead to a much better life than that which I had previously subjected
myself to. After this revelation, I packed my things and relocated, doing good
as well as I knew how to. As soon as I came upon the How to be a Hero Correspondence
School, I knew that this was where I could gain real knowledge of how to carry
out the duties of a real warrior and where I could learn to exert honor in every-day
life.
There are many recruits involved with the Warrior's Headquarters, thus it may
seem as though it would be fruitless to accept another. I believe that my fairly
unique knowledge and background, however, would aid in a diversification of the
population of the institute. I also firmly believe that my strength, convictions,
intelligence, and character with be of great benefit to the school's integrity.
I will also be of use in battles as well as strategic operations and espionage
(if necessary).
For the most part, I operate with a claymore for hand-to-hand combat situations.
However, I also have skills in dagger-throwing, acrobatics, martial arts, and
small ability in magic. As aforementioned, I am also of rational thought and
I am very unlikely to give in to panic. As Sabriel said in Garth Nix's great
book, "Panic will kill you even when nothing else wants to."
I look forward to serving you to the best of my capabilities. I hope attain my
own goals as well as those of the How to be a Hero Correspondence School.
With great respect,
Noctemien Snakewing