Fratenach is a thin, spare man who does not look like he has spend 20 years serving as a soldier-scout.  Before he was with the Grave Company, he served with Hammer's Slammers, until Hammer died and the Slammers were ground under by the Grave Company.  One of the few survivors, he was happy to join a winning team.

Before he took up following the drum, he was a son of the armies in a nameless town, making his way by stealing, sneaking, thieving, and selling information.  He was considered a world-class scrounger...

... until he deserted.  He had been called to the command hut for some reason or another.  The next day, he was gone, along with all of his things and some things that did not belong to him.

Later that morning, his name went on the rolls as a deserter.