Rich: A Vanguard Story

by R.D. Wolfe

Everyone knows who they are. This is how they began.

He was never meant for the battlefield. He was meant for the fields.

Rich wanted only the quiet life of a farmer—soil beneath his hands, family at his table, and a future that stretched beyond the fences of his land.

But when disaster came, it left nothing but ash behind.

Drawn into conflict, Rich must decide whether grief will bury him—or forge him into something harder. Training will strip him down, battle will scar him, and every step will push him closer to a new identity he never wanted. The line between survivor and soldier is thinner than he ever believed.

This is the story of how a farmer became Vanguard.

This is one in a series of short stories exploring the origins of the War Angels—told one soldier at a time.

92 pages, Paperback

Published August 22, 2025

About the author

R.D. Wolfe is the author of the Saving Olympus series, blending high-stakes adventure, mythology, and fast-paced fantasy into compelling, character-driven stories. Influenced heavily by Christopher Paolini, the Harry Potter universe, and classic sci-fi like Star Wars and Star Trek, Wolfe’s writing is rooted in a love for epic storytelling, strategy, and immersive world-building. Naturally, The Lord of the Rings has played a major role in shaping his storytelling—an experience made even more special by the time he spent at The Eagle and Child, where J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis once discussed their legendary works.

Wolfe published his first book in 2019 and moved to Southeast Idaho in 2020, where he continues to craft stories filled with adventure, honor, and destiny. When not writing, he enjoys gardening, hiking, and hunting, drawing inspiration from the beauty and challenges of the natural world.

Follow R.D. Wolfe on Facebook for updates on the Saving Olympus trilogy and future releases.