Soren stood aside the ship's railing as Ike passed him by. The mercenary commander's faded red cape billowed wildly in the sea's clammy winds as he approached the vessel's well-tanned captain.

"Hey there, Nasir. Hm... what is it? Is something wrong?" Ike asked, looking at the unresponsive man.

Nasir turned to face the mercenary, his pale sky-blue ponytail flailing around. "We're being followed by pirates… but, there's nothing to be done about it."

Ike scanned the sea, his brow furrowed in bewilderment. He turned back to Nasir. "But... I don't see any ships... how can...?"

"No, not on the sea, they're up in the air. Look there." Nasir prompted, pointing up at what looked like a swarm of black dots, up in the sky.

Ike squinted as he looked up at the swarm of black dots in the light blue sky. "Are those... birds? If they are, they must be huge..."

"Those are Laguz, Ike." Titania said, as she walked over to Ike, Soren detached himself from the railing and followed her.

"Yes, they are. Ravens from Kilvas, no doubt. Their black wings have long been considered an ill-omen by seamen." Soren stated, skillfully interjecting himself into the conversation.

"Ah, Titania, Soren. So, you noticed them coming as well?" Ike asked.

"Yes, Soren and I saw them when we were discussing his battle plans on the aft deck." Titania explained.

Ike looked up at the raven's nigh indistinguishable forms. "I'd heard stories, but... they're really flying. Wow."

Nasir headed for the helm of his vessel. "We're out of their range at the moment, but airborne foes can be especially troublesome. I'd prefer to avoid them altogether. Let's see if we can outrun them."

"From what I've been told, the flying corsairs of Kilvas and Phoenicis are far crueler than any of the beast laguz." Titania stated.

"Ugh, winged pirates... Just... how am I supposed to fight against that?" Ike asked.

Soren caught sight of Lethe, she was walking toward them and he turned to meet her. He was sent violently to the deck as the ship suddenly bucked and rattled.

"Wha-what was that?" Ike asked. Shocked by the sudden impact.

The paladin on the ground next to him, looked as though she'd hit her head pretty hard. "Agh... It felt like we just hit something… solid. That couldn't have been a wave."

Nasir was already up and running to the port side. "Blast... we must have run aground! Caught in a reef! Damn it! Everyone move, hurry! We need to check for breaches!" The crewmen scrambled around on deck, some of the more experienced sailors quickly descended below deck, to see if the hull had been ruptured.

Lethe had struck her head on the main mast as she'd fought to regain her footing from the initial impact. Soren ignored the chaos around him as he headed over to her. She stood right by the main mast, sullenly rubbing the back of her head.

"Are you alright, Lethe?" He asked.

"Ha! I'm unharmed, I won't be done in by a little bump on head." She smirked. "How about you? You sure fell like a log."

"I'm fine." Soren stated.

"Well, it looks like they got us, devious of them." Lethe said, looking up at the ravens.

"You think they planned this?" Soren asked.

"I know hunting strategies when I see them. I'm actually particularly fond of using this one, when I'm bored," She explained.

"Why didn't you say something?" The mage asked.

Lethe shrugged. "I didn't put it all together until now, that's why. I'm somewhat out of my element here."

"I'd have liked to think that we'd be harder to entrap than animals, but... apparently..." The mage paused.

"We're not?" She finished.

"It's not a bad idea captain! There's land nearby…!" A young sailor shouted, drawing in the mage's attention. Soren took a couple steps toward them, Lethe looked curiously around his shoulder.

"No. We'll make for the shore, only, if we have no other viable options. Am I clear?" Nasir ordered the young man.

"Eh! And why is that? Ya afraid a walkin' captain? Well, I an't stayin' on this deathtrap!" An older crewmen said.

"No, you fool. That's Goldoa… the land of the dragons." Nasir stated.

"Ya mean...!" The sailor gulped, anxiously.

"Yes." Nasir said, looking up. "We can't afford to stay on deck for much longer, either. The ravens are going to attack us soon…"

"Well, it's more or less true. The dragons of Goldoa aren't exactly inviting." Lethe said.

"I've heard things to that effect myself." The mage stated. "One more reason to hope that a change of tide sets us free."

Lethe walked past him. "Come on Soren, we should go below deck, everyone else has."

He'd thought to ask Lethe if she knew anything about the ravens that would be of help, but he stowed his questions for the time being, and followed after her.

Ike and the other mercenaries stood down in the hall at the bottom of the stairway. Ike looked at him as he and Lethe approached. "Soren! Do you have a plan? We can't afford to sit in here and do nothing."

"I've done research in the past. All members of the bird tribes are particularly vulnerable to wind magic, and it's safe to assume that arrows would prove effective, as well. Unfortunately..." Soren stated.

"Right, we don't have anyone who can use a bow." Ike said, finishing for Soren.

"Uh... I-Ike. I can use a bow." A young boy with light green hair said.

Ike frowned. "Rolf..."

"You've been letting Mist use her healing staff..." The boy said. "Let me fight with you."

"Yeah, I have. Off the battlefield." Ike said.

"Well... if you all die, Mist and I... we won't have a chance. I've been thinking about this for a long time, and it's not like I'll be on the front lines..." Rolf explained.

Ike turned to Oscar and Boyd. "What do the two of you think? He's your brother."

"Well... honestly... I think this is probably a poor choice for his first battle. We know too little about the enemy." Boyd said. "I know how to fight bandits, Daein troops now, too... but these ravens..."

Oscar took a couple steps forward and knelt in front of Rolf. Oscar looked his brother in the eye for a moment, before he smiled and ruffled Rolf's hair. "Well, I think that I can keep him safe."

"Huh?" Boyd and Rolf said, synonymously.

"Really?!" Rolf asked, excitedly, the boy's eyes were stuck on Occar as he stood up.

"Oscar! You can't be serious, this is..." Boyd started.

"Not so different from how you and Ike pleaded for your first assignments." Oscar stated.

"Yeah, but... we're older... and..." The fighter stumbled over this thoughts.

"We have a new leader, and the nature of our operations have changed. Our campaigns aren't voluntary anymore... if Rolf can pull his weight, then he should." Oscar told the fighter. "Do you really doubt our capabilities on the battlefield so much, Boyd? We can keep our little brother safe."

"Yeah, you're right..." Boyd said, finally.

"All right then, I guess you'll be joining us after all, Rolf." Ike said, looking down at the boy.

"I won't disappoint you, Ike." The boy said, looking determined.

"It's fine to try hard, but don't do anything reckless, stay with your brothers and stay safe." Ike said.

Rolf smiled. "Got it, boss!"

"Aw, he's so cute." Mia chimed, poking Nephenee with her elbow a couple times. "Isn't he Neph?"

"Ah' suppose." Nephenee said, hiding behind her helmet, as usual.

"Well now, aren't ya a popular lil guy. Haha, well, as they say, strike while the iron's hot. Neph's rel' popular back home too." When the bulky knight finished, Rolf was blushing.

Nephenee turned around and pulled her helmet down further. "Oh...! Brom...! Aah' really wish that ya'd be quiet bout' that, it's so embarrassin'... and in front a' all these people..."

"Ah, come on Neph, you're like a daughter ta me, I gotta do my part ta' make sure ya' find a good guy!" Brom stated, heartily.

"Aww... geez." She muttered, completely embarrassed.

"Yeah, stop it, old man, you might even make Soren blush at this rate." Mia joked. "That would be weird."

"Haha, well anyway, if Boyd is lettin' ya down out there, feel free to yell my name, I'll show them ravens what for."

"Hey! Mia...!" Boyd started.

"Oh? What's that Boyd? You want to spar when we get to Begnion?" Mia asked, forcefully.

"Uh... huh?!" Boyd uttered, dumbfounded.

"Uh huh, huh? Works for me." Mia said, crossing her arms. "Yep, definitely works. Lookin' forward to it, Boyd."

"Um... don't worry about me Mia, despite how he looks, my brother's actually pretty reliable." Rolf said.

"Eehehe..." Mia chuckled.

"Despite how he looks! I think that's about enough out of you pipsqueak." Boyd said.

"Well, if you're all done now, I'd like to get this raven problem resolved." Ike said.

"You know Ike, you can be a real joy-killer sometimes." Mia said.

The swordsman ignored her comment. "Is everyone ready?"

His question was answered with a wave of nods and simple confirmation. "Ok, stay together, and stay sharp."

Ike was ready to head outside, but Soren stopped him. "Not yet, they're waiting to strike at us the second we step out that door, Ike."

"What should we do then? We can't just sit in here." Ike said.

"We make sure that the first person outside can evade their preemptive attack." Soren said.

"How can we make sure of that?" Ike asked.

"We can't, but I know who is most suited to trying." The mage stated.

"Who?" Ike asked.

"Lethe, of course. Cat laguz are known for their agility and speed, and the ravens are certain to be expecting beorc." Soren continued. "She is rather uniquely suited to the challenge, don't you think?"

"I agree, does that bring your beorc prattle to an end? A fight waits outside, and I itch to meet it." Lethe said.

"Lethe, before that... I would have you tell me what you know of the ravens of Kilvas?" Soren asked her.

"What I know of them, is that they are treacherous scum, and that they have no pride. They are laguz, but they are liked little more than you beorc among the other laguz nations." Lethe said. "They give us all a bad name with their incessant piracy, and I'd strike them down without a second's hesitation!"

"I guess that settles the issue of weather or not you're willing to fight other laguz." Ike said. "Well, at least ravens."

"I will fulfill my obligations, and if I must fight other laguz in the fulfillment of my duty... it will be done." Lethe sighed. "I've had enough of this, can we just enact Soren's plan and be done with it already?"

Ike looked over at Soren, the mage nodded. "We move at your ready then, Lethe."

"Follow me as closely as you are able, beorc. Others will come, but I will buy you a foothold." Lethe transformed.

The cat flew out of the doorway, the mercenaries filed out two by two, right on her heels, the first raven to make a pass at her had clearly been expecting a beorc. His talons were too high, and he'd been moving much too slowly.

She didn't have time to glance back at the mercenaries, the ravens just kept coming after her, one after another, each one as unsuccessful as the next in line would be. Lethe turned to greet them with a low growl, her tail lashed about as she dug her claws into the wood. For seconds, she stood waiting, poised, ready to strike, adrenaline pumping through her veins.

A raven came at her from the left, as it descended to tear at her with it's wanting talons, she bounded into the air, out of it's reach, and she raked her claws over the side of it's feathered body. Blood and black raven feathers scattered into the air as the bird rapidly descended to the deck. With a loud thud, the raven struck and slid across the deck's glossy surface.

Pain erupted in her right shoulder as she landed, the talons of a raven were sliding through her skin. As she pulled away, feeling her warm blood run down her foreleg. The wounds were shallow, and they stung pleasantly, she'd been away from the fight for so long now, her body ached for the pain, adrenaline and violence of battle. The raven came back at her, from the front this time, the fool probably that that she was easy wounded prey, her claws itched warmly at the chance to cover the deck in the raven's bloodstained feathers.

Lethe dug her claws into the deck, as the raven came up upon her she sprang straight at it. The raven tried to pull up at the last moment, she could tell it was sacred, and it should be, her prey would not escape her so easily. Lethe closed her jaws around the raven's thin little bird leg, she could feel the bone grinding on her teeth, as she blindly clawed at where she knew the wing was, and her claw met with the raven's feathery flesh.

The raven shrieked, and she relinquished her grip on it. Her bloodied claws making contact with the deck once more, she was moving as soon as she buried her claws in the deck. She'd figured out how the opportunistic cowards operated, she didn't see the raven that had come for her, but she felt a strong wind on her tail as she sprinted forward to finish the crippled one off.

...

From his place in the middle of the formation with Rhys, Ilyana, and Rolf, Soren watched as Lethe fended off attacks from all directions, it was amazing to watch. Rolf had impressed him as well, the boy was quite the marksman for someone his age, his skill was remarkable. He was either a true prodigy, or Shinon trained him without anyone's knowledge.

Soren extended his chant, not to build strength, but to await the proper time to strike. Finally, he saw a raven fly at them, he unleashed his magic just as he heard the twang of a bowstring. Rolf's arrow sunk deep into the raven's body just before Soren's spell tore the raven to bloody pieces, and threw what remained of it away from their formation.

"Bleed the half-breed!" The resounding war cry, evoked pause in beorc and laguz alike.

The mage saw something that shined briefly above the raven who stood out of Rolf's arrow range, above the deck. Soren realized what it was just as struck the raven, a spear. The untransformed raven tumbled from the sky and struck the deck, an impaled mess of mangled limbs.

Soren saw clearly now that the raven was no longer blocking his sight. It was a Daein wyvern rider, the rider must have been pursuing them. He had no idea how the rider had made it so far, but now was not a time for questions.

"You! Why are you lot lollygagging about?" The rider yelled. Circling about above them amongst the terrified ravens.

"Who are...?" Ike started.

"I am Jill Fizzart, wyvern rider of Daein, attached to Commander Haar's battalion. I offer a truce!" The woman shouted.

"Hold it! What... what in the world is going on?" Ike asked.

"What are you babbling about? I'm on your side! We'll talk after I chase off these crows! Bleed the half-breed!" The woman yelled, flying in pursuit of the quickly scattering ravens.

Even with the ravens in what was obviously a full retreat. She continued to pursue, her long red ponytail flailing wildly behind her as she urged her wyvern forward. "Come back here! You cowardly vermin!"

In the end, she didn't manage to kill any more of them and she doubled back. She set her wyvern down on the ship's deck, and dismounted.

Still holding her reigns, she looked around the deck. "Now, where to tie up my wyvern..."

Soren watched the Deain wyvern rider with a mild degree of amusement. It was obvious that they were her intended target, yet here she stood, arrogantly putting herself at their mercy. This Jill Fizzart was obviously not someone to take your eye off of, however... her dogged pursuit of them already labeled her a naive and excitable, fool of a young woman.

"Hey!" Ike said, stepping up to the rider.

"What do you want?" She said.

"Is there some reason why you're on our ship? The crows are gone and the truce is over, isn't it?" Ike asked their uninvited guest.

"...I have a duty. As a Daein soldier, I cannot allow a Crimean princess and her band of mercenaries to run free where they will." Jill said.

"Really? Well, if you want to start a fight, you're on the right path. Think you can take us all on your own? Because, if you want to go get your friends, I won't stop you from leaving the ship." Ike said.

"Watching you mercenaries fight all those crows like a band of street rats with sticks, I knew you were no match for me. I have no reason to fear you and I can't leave the ship, the land is too far away for my tired mount to reach." She said, looking around the deck. Her eyes settled on Mordecai and Lethe. Lethe was glaring back at the young Daein woman.

"You invite the half-breeds among you?! What is wrong with you fools!?" She glared at him. "They'll claw you the moment you turn your back!"

"What's wrong with me?! You're lucky our laguz friends haven't tried to kill you yet! You're lucky I haven't tried to kill you yet!" Ike yelled, sword drawn.

"Then I surrender." She said, throwing her spear down on the deck. "You can't kill a prisoner of war."

Soren laughed at her. "Hahaha... haha, and people say that ignorance isn't funny, Daein has openly committed war crimes since the war began. If we treated you appropriately, we'd whip you bloody, cut your arms off, and throw you in the sea."

The woman looked shocked. "What! B-but I...!"

"Oscar! Titania! Lock her in a room! Put her in a crate and nail it shut! I don't care what you do, just get her out of here!" Ike yelled, his cheeks flushed with rage.

Oscar and Titania dragged the woman off, as Lethe advanced on Ike, glaring at him. "Ike! Why did you let her live?! She doesn't deserve it!"

"We are going to right Daein's evils, not join them in committing atrocities. That's why!" Ike seethed, as he walked past Lethe, clenching his fist.


Guest Response Note: I appreciate all of the feedback, It's not all what I want to hear, but such is life. Know that I have taken all of your feedback to heart, many of these things I have thought about, and and will consider yet more in the future. Thank you, for taking the time to give me advice and ideas, it means a lot. I hope you enjoyed this chapter.