After the incident with the bandits, there was only time for a short, mercenary funeral for Boyd before it was time to hit the hay. However, the next day, Greil wasted no time in seeking Ike's ear.
"You wanted to see me, Father?" Ike asked warily.
"Sit down, Ike," Greil said, gesturing to a stool. Ike sat down, still a little put off. "We haven't had a chance to speak yet. Titania told me about the kidnappings."
"I take responsibility for what happened yesterday. I accept whatever punishment you decide," Ike said.
"Yes, that's the impression I got from Oscar and Rhys. You did disobey the direct order of a superior officer… but I will disregard any punishment," Greil said.
"What?" Ike asked.
"Let Boyd's death be punishment enough, Ike. Know what caused it, and learn from it. And besides, we've got more work than we can handle at the moment, so we can't afford to give out something like confinement to quarters. Today, you will accompany Titania, Shinon and Gatrie," Greil said.
"Understood, Commander," Ike said.
"Yar har ho! Me belly's emptier 'n me first mate's head! Fetch me some grub!" Havetti, the captain of a gang of pirates, said. He was slouched on the deck, watching his band of pirates storm the shore of Port Talma. Titania rode in, with Ike, Shinon and Gatrie reasonably close behind.
"So these are the pirates…" Titania said.
"Aye. They sailed into port a few days back, and they've been up to no good ever since!" the elder of the village said, walking up to them.
"Hmph. Feathering sea scum is like shooting apples off Gatrie's head. Let's get this over with…" Shinon said.
"So, Deputy Commander… thunder and lightning manoeuvres?" Gatrie asked, looking around.
"Thunder and lightning?" Ike asked.
"I crash into them like thunder, and Shinon rains arrows like lightning!" Gatrie said.
"Ah," Ike said.
"Sounds good. Ike, we will stay back, and wait until Shinon and Gatrie have reduced the enemy numbers," Titania said. Ike nodded. Gatrie started his movement, wandering into the middle of the enemies. They all rushed at Gatrie, and tried to attack him in vain. They watched their axes and swords harmlessly bounce off. Shinon stood back, and shot no less than five pirates in as many seconds before the group noticed him. They charged at Shinon, causing Ike to run forward and take out the nearest two. Shinon accounted for the third.
"Hey, you! Boat monkey! You tricked me, you lowly savages!" a loud shout echoed from atop the pirate ship. Ike looked up, and noticed Marcia, a lady atop a pegasus, conversing with Havetti.
"Trick? That's a strong word," Havetti said.
"We're honest pirates, missy," his first mate added.
"I was told to come here because you knew where my brother went!" Marcia said.
"Aye. He was on board for a while. He was a penniless oaf, so we tossed his worthless carcass into Davey Jones' locker!" Havetti said.
"That's horrid!" Marcia said.
"Horrid? He was horrid! He lost a game of chance, he did. He tried to cheat us out of our well-earned dough! By Shanty Pete, my first mate nearly lost every penny he owned!" Havetti said.
"Despicable. But I see his darling sister's come to pay us a visit. What say ye work off yer brother's debt?" the first mate added.
"…No thanks. I'll prefer to filet you boat monkeys on my lance!" Marcia said.
"It doesn't matter that ye fancy yerself a pegasus knight. A minnow like yerself is no match for us sea dogs, flying wench!" Havetti said.
"I'm not afraid of you, clambake!" Marcia said, engaging with Havetti. This caught the attention of the Greil Mercenaries.
"She's stealing our payment!" Shinon cried out. He levelled his bow, and aimed at Marcia. Ike knocked Shinon over, and charged up to the pirate ship's deck. He ran to Havetti, and parried his axe just as it was about to hit Marcia's pegasus.
"Are you all right?" Ike asked.
"So cold… wait, huh?" Marcia asked, looking around. "Wh-who are you?"
"I'm a mercenary. The villagers have hired us to get rid of these pirates," Ike said.
"Are you going to help me?" Marcia asked.
"Of course. Let me and my companions take it from here. You escape while the pirates are distracted," Ike said.
"That's fantastic! But now I don't know what to say," Marcia said.
"You don't need to say anything. It's all in a day's work for a mercenary…" Ike said.
"You're helping me out. I should show my gratitude somehow," Marcia said, winking.
"That's nice, but I can't think of anything at the moment. Get somewhere safe, please," Ike said.
"I'll repay my debt later, then. What's your name, handsome?" Marcia asked.
"I am Ike, member of the Greil Mercenaries," Ike said.
"Ike… I am Marcia, pegasus knight of Begnion. Don't forget me, and I'll see you later!" Marcia said, fleeing the battle. Ike parried Havetti's tenth blow, and realised he was once more surrounded by enemies. He looked for a solution.
"Looks like your luck has turned terrible…" Havetti said, before getting struck in the neck by an arrow.
Thanks, Shinon… I owe you one! Ike said. He looked around, and jumped off the boat. Several pirates were dumb enough to follow suit, and dumb enough to not grab the ledge of the ship, as Ike had done.
"Well done, Ike…" Titania said uncertainly. Gatrie clambered onto the ship, and helped him back up. The other pirates had been taken care of.
"That was pretty dumb, though…" Shinon said.
"I don't know what came over me… I saw Marcia in trouble, and I charged in to save her," Ike said. Titania nodded thoughtfully, and turned to see the village elder.
"Well done, mercenaries. You have driven off the pirates, and saved us from their indignities! Here is your pay, as promised," the elder said.
"Thank you. If you find yourself in need, you know how to find us," Titania said.
"Of course. What a marvellous show… though, to be honest, I was expecting Commander Greil to be here," the elder said.
"Unfortunately, there are too many problems that come to our doorstep for Greil to attend to each one personally," Titania said.
"Don't apologise, there's no need. You got rid of those brigands impeccably well!" the elder said.
"A fine compliment. It was our pleasure," Titania said.
"As a matter of fact, you're more than good enough to be generals of Crimea's army if you so desired. Especially Commander Greil. He's far better than the generals I've laid eyes on. Don't you think running off pirates is a bit beneath you?" the elder asked.
"That's not-" Ike started.
"Don't get me wrong. You've certainly helped out us simple folk. However, it seems that the proper place for you and Commander Greil is in the service of the Crimean throne!" the elder said.
"We are quite satisfied with the work we do now," Ike said. Titania scowled somewhat, but Ike didn't think to question it. She was like this a few times joining the army was concerned, and simply rationalised that something bad had happened between her and the army she didn't want to mention.
"You've nary a selfish bone between you. You'll grow up to be a fine gentleman, laddie. Rest assured you'll be the first we'll seek if any problems arise. Thank you again!" the elder said, leaving. Titania turned back to the group.
"You've all done well today," Titania remarked.
"Pah. Jobs like this don't even satiate my incurable boredom!" Shinon said. "I'm joking," he added, following Titania's scowl.
"Though he makes a point. Don't you find the work we do disheartening? Unglamorous?" Gatrie said.
"Gatrie?" Titania asked.
"We're not a band of money-hungry recruits. We're professionals, and we're good at what we do. However, this mundane mercenary work is unworthy of us. We're wasting our talents," Gatrie said.
"So you think Commander Greil is mismanaging us. Do I have that right?" Titania asked.
"Not at all…" Gatrie said, turning away in discomfort.
"We do good work, and we help people. There's no need to seek more 'glamourous' work than that," Ike said.
"Exactly, Ike! I felt like you were saying work that doesn't bring fame and fortune isn't worth doing!" Titania said.
"We apologise, Titania," Gatrie said. He elbowed Shinon, who nodded.
"Well, we'd better get back and rested. No sense running ourselves into the ground arguing about how Father is managing us," Ike said.
"Well said, Gawain…" Titania said. Ike raised an eyebrow.
What did I do to deserve last name terms?