Rolland was roughly in his 40s when he decided to sign up for a local militia, wanting to do more than be a smith. He was naïve and "green" in the beginning, doing what he was told to do and following certain orders. Until one day during what he thought was a standard patrol, was ambush. Rolland lost all his men in that patrol, nearly taken him as well. He was saved by a friend he made in the militia and in debt to them. Retired with the rank of sergeant, Rolland became a wanderer, not staying in one place very long.