The continent of Tellius, blessed by the goddess. To the northwest lies the land of Crimea, home of the Greil Mercenaries. Without warning, Crimea's eastern neighbour, the kingdom of Daein, launches an attack on Crimea's capital city of Melior.

Ike leads a handful of mercenaries to Melior, to confirm Soren's news of the attack. En route, they happen upon a young woman, unconscious but unharmed. Fearing for her safety, they take her to their stronghold.

When she awakens, the woman gives her name as Elincia and lays claim to the title of princess of Crimea. She relates the sad tale of her flight from Crimea and of her parents' murder at the hands of Ashnard, king of Daein. The Greil Mercenaries answer Princess Elincia's plea for help and agree to escort her to the kingdom of Gallia.

Located to the southwest of Crimea, Gallia is home to the laguz, a race quite unlike Ike and his fellow beorc. Crimea and Gallia have long struggled to overcome their differences. In recent years, the two kingdoms have done much to ease the prejudice between the laguz and beorc factions. Their combined efforts have forged a bond of trust and friendship that may yet overcome years of intolerance.

Ike and company escape the Daein army, abandoning their long-time base. From there, they begin the long march toward Gallia. Their task clear and their destination far, they slip into an ocean of trees.


"Blazes, why does it have to be so blamed humid? If we weren't being chased, I'd strip off this armour here and now!" Gatrie anguished. After what seemed like weeks wandering through the forest, Ike could sympathise with the poor knight. Somewhat.

"Well, then, since we are being pursued, I suppose you'll just have to grin and bear it, hm?" Titania responded, as she had the past five times Gatrie had complained prior. "Well, enough griping. You're just wasting energy. Best to save it for this appalling heat."

"Aye. Dense forests like these are not made for things as delicate as us people. Those sub-humans love 'em, though," Shinon remarked.

"An entire race of monsters… what are they like, then, to warrant this insult?" Ike asked.

"What, you've never even seen a beast-man?" Shinon asked incredulously.

"No," Ike asked, trying to piece together Shinon's words.

"Let me put it simply. Those ferine sub-humans are a hairy bunch, ugly as sin. Faces of fangs and whisker, claws like daggers, razor sharp and deadly. They delude themselves into thinking they're people, but they're monsters through and through. Savages, without exception," Shinon said.

"I'll…" Ike said, starting to second-guess himself.

"Ike, there are more types than the ones Shinon describes. The beasts, feral felines that walk Gallia. The birds, the cruel birds of prey that soar the skies of Phoenicis and Kilvas. And finally, the dragons that haunt Goldoa. They are called 'laguz' by those wishing to be polite," Soren added.

"But that's mercenary basics. I thought you were smarter than this, Ike!" Shinon said.

"Well, we've not far to go until we reach Gallia, Ike," Soren said.

"Really? Amazing! Compared to this forest, a kingdom of half-breeds will seem like heaven!" Shinon said.

So, if the laguz are monsters, why exactly are we taking Elincia straight to them, then? Ike asked, trying to piece together what he had learned.


"And that's when we lost the trail. I assigned a squad to pursue them and returned to give the report I am currently delivering," a Daein soldier concluded his report to his superior, Petrine.

"Understand. Stand down," Petrine said.

"Ma'am, yes, ma'am!" the soldier said.

"So, Princess Elincia is making her way through the forest to Gallia… Ena! Sound advice. You have earned my praise," Petrine said.

"My gratitude," Ena said.

"When the king assigned me a tactician, I wondered what I had done to lose his trust. When I saw it was a young girl, I burned with anger, and almost roasted the king then and there. But I guess this worked out better than expected. Keep up the good work," Petrine said. "Now then, it's time to commence the hunt!"


"Hold it right there. We're coming to the edge of the forest," Greil said. Everyone nodded, and assumed combat positions without requiring the order.

"Without knowing numbers, it is difficult to advise a course of action to follow," Soren said thoughtfully.

"Then take a guess, Soren," Greil said.

"Some members of this party are non-combatants. If we are caught, our attention will be divided between defending them and attacking Daein. I propose that we separate into two groups, one to engage the enemy, and another to escort the princess to Gallia at full speed," Soren said.

"You'd divide our strength?" Oscar asked.

"It is the best method to keep casualties to a minimum. It's possible an ambush lies in wait at the edge of the forest. If we proceed with no plan, we may be caught between pursuit and ambush, which would end us all," Soren said.

"Then Soren's plan it is. Shinon, Gatrie and I will distract the Daein forces. Ike, you lead everyone else to protect Elincia and take her to Gallia, all right?" Greil said.

"Is that enough of us?" Ike asked.

"A smaller force is more mobile!" Shinon said.

"Ah," Ike remarked.

"Listen up, mercenaries! This will probably prove to be the biggest fight this company has faced. Remember, you have one life. I don't want anyone dying on me. In times like these, it matters not what our blood ties are. We are family. If you don't want your family to suffer any grief, then live. Ike, lead! Titania, support! All troops… MOVE OUT! See you in Gallia!" Greil said, before running off. Shinon and Gatrie followed behind with haste.


Ike wandered through the trees, and peeked out from behind two trunks. A group of Daein soldiers was patrolling the forest perimeter.

"So they were waiting for us…" Ike said. Soren looked over Ike's shoulder.

"There are more here than I imagined. I thought they would have been spread much more thinly across the entire border, not just localised right in our path," Soren said.

"Change of plans?" Ike asked.

"It's too late to do that," Soren said.

"Then what is the simplest way to get at least Elincia, Rolf and Mist from here to there?" Ike asked, indicating the fence behind the Daeins.

"Two bridges… this thicket extends to that westernmost bridge. Using the trees as cover, reaching the bridge undetected looks feasible. Then we can launch a surprise attack," Soren said.

"Creating a diversion to draw heat off the princess and the others! That's the game plan!" Ike said.

"Ike, we can fight!" Mist said. Elincia was holding one of Ike's spare swords, as was Mist herself.

"No, Mist. I cannot expose either of you to unnecessary risk. Especially Elincia. Everyone is risking it to ensure her safety. You have to help us keep her safe!" Ike said. Mist nodded in disappointment.

"Right. We'll just pretend we're playing hide and seek. And Rolf here's an expert at that!" Mist said. Mist, Rolf and Elincia made their way into the trees. Ike checked his satchel, and noted that only one of the spares had been returned.

"Well, we've got no other choice… let's go!" Ike said. He emerged on the eastern side.

"Mercenaries! Inform General Petrine and request for additional troops!" Emil, the Daein on the opposite bank guarding the only escape route in this area, said.

"Sir, yes, sir!" a Daein said, running through the western trees. Ike gritted his teeth, but the lack of a female cry meant that the Daein had not encountered Elincia, Rolf and Mist. However, by the same token, that meant that reinforcements were likely on their way. Ike started bolting, causing the enemies to become startled. In their rush, more than a few were knocked into the waters. Ike took a few of the enemies, and allowed Titania and Oscar to take on a few enemies behind him. Soren looked across the river at Emil, and summoned a large gust of wind. Emil started to run towards the group, and Ike jumped over the advancing army to meet him.

"What's this? They're not bad! Let's go, men! Hit those mercenary scum with everything you have! Don't let them take one more step!" Emil said, pointing to the army behind Ike. Emil himself stabbed at Ike, which Ike dodged. Ike slashed into Emil's armour, sending him cascading into the river. Ike nudged Emil slightly, pushing him under the bridge. Mist, Rolf and Elincia appeared on the opposite shore, and the Greil Mercenaries immediately finished the fight and ran past the fence to safety.

"I don't know how… but we made it…" Ike said, looking back at what had become of the Daein blockade.

"Brother!" Mist said, running up to Ike, followed by Rolf and Elincia. Ike took note of the sword at Mist's hip, covered in blood.

"My Lord Ike…" Elincia said, a lot more subdued.

"Are you all right?" Ike asked.

"Yes… never better! I gave Daein a piece of my mind, and it felt fantastic!" Mist said. Ike looked meaningfully at his old sword.

"Well… the important thing is that we are all safe. It's all due to your efforts, my Lord. Thank you," Elincia said.

"Elincia?" Ike asked.

"It's too early to rest easy. The others aren't here," Soren said.

"Eep!" Elincia said.

"We are talking about Greil. There's nothing to worry about," Titania said.

"Ike, you-" Elincia said, starting her retort.

"Yes, Elincia. We're going back to aid my father. Mist, escort Elincia to the royal palace. …And clean that sword before you stab someone else," Ike said. Mist's eyes widened.

"As long as you promise that you'll catch up," Mist said.

"I promise, Mist," Ike said. Mist nodded, and she started to lead Elincia and Rolf towards Castle Gallia.