I'm hoping to get this to where I've been eager to write it soon. We'll see how this chapter goes.

Lena did not even want to utter the words "I told you so." With a sigh, she leaned her head against Selyne's arm. It was something Selyne had allowed for once. They could see smoke rising from the port from the windows.

"What are they doing?" she asked.

"Burning the ships, no doubt."

Lena sighed again. "Do we need to hide anything?"

"Why bother?" Selyne's voice was flat. "If anyone comes this way, they'll find it."

She broke away from Lena and started to leave. "Selyne?"

"There's no point in watching, Lena."

Ike stopped in his tracks at the sight of the destruction. The ships that had sat anchored at the poor were torched. Soot and embers drifted down onto the soldiers as they surveyed the scene. Further out in the water, three large ships were moored. The inhabitants had come ashore.

Most of the village itself had fled, though dead bodies littered the street. Windows were shattered and doors were off their hinges.

"Round them up." Oisin's voice was cold. "Make sure no one leaves on those ships."

Ike, Soren, and Erian broke off from the group. No doubt Erian saw his chance to make a name for himself. Ike leaned close to Soren and asked, "Do you think Selyne's OK?"

"Looks like everything is contained here."

Ike nodded. He would find out for sure himself, but first they had business to take care of.

A shriek caught his attention. A young woman who Ike vaguely recognized had burst through a door on their left and stumbled. Ike hurried over to her to help her to her feet. In the doorway, a stocky man appeared. He tried to grab her, but Ike helped her away. He was at first surprised to see the men, then he chuckled and drew his sword.

Soren unleashed his thunder tome and Erian finished him with a quick sword thrust. "Who commands you?"

The pirate chose not to answer. His dying words were laden with swears to the prince.

"Do you think you can get out of here?" Ike asked the woman. She looked disheveled, and nauseated by the sight of the dead fiend, but she nodded. He gestured towards the inn. "Head that way."

"Thank you - "

"Thank us later!"

She squeaked as she ran off. Ike looked to Erian, who said what he was thinking. "I can only hope she isn't the one person we save." He dismounted and began to lead his horse through the narrow alley. The sound of a nearby clash reached their ears. They sprinted in that direction.

A spilled box of coins littered the ground as two knights engaged three pirates in battle. There was a clattering overhead as archers climbed to the roofs. Soren broke off and joined them as Ike and Erian assisted the soldiers. One of the enemies went down fighting. The other tried to surrender.

"Who is your leader?" Erian demanded again.

"Captain Horpe!"

As Erian had one of his men take the pirate into custody, Soren, Caspian, and the archers were making a plan. "If you can cast fire from here, can you hit the ships?"

"Perhaps..."

"Try it. We'll cover you."

Down below, Ike and Erian had moved away. Ike ducked behind Erian and stopped a blow meant to behead Erian. "Thank you," Erian said before dispatching the enemy.

"I think the fighting has moved closer to the shore."

"Should we risk it?" Erian looked up and Ike knew what he meant.

"Yeah."

They hurried in that direction. Oisin was fighting two men at once, while his men kept others away from their rowboats. A volley of arrows flew from overhead, puncturing a few of the boats. Ike and Erian ducked momentarily, then joined the fray.

For every three that fought, there was one trying to yield. Some of those were run down by their own allies.

Though Ike was fighting, something he had wanted to avoid, he felt it was right. He was defending a village for no reason other than they needed it. It was not the time to think of it, but he did make a mental note to mention it to Soren and see what he thought of it.

He heard Oisin demand someone yield as more arrows flew overhead. There was a flash of orange, a bang, and a sudden blaze of heat. All the fighting ceased for a moment as everyone stopped to watch the largest ship burn. With a groan, the mast splintered and fell into the water with a splash.

"You dastard - "

The man who Ike assumed was Captain Horpe lunged at Oisin but was tackled by a knight Ike would later find out was Felix. The others gave up with little struggle. With the main ship burning, and the rowboats punctured, there was little reason to fight. Some fled into the woods, but most were taken into custody by Oisin and his men.

"Erian, are you hurt?"

"I'm fine."

Oisin nodded. "We need to get these prisoners to Father."

"What, now?"

Oisin stared sternly at his brother. "We cannot risk more escaping."

"What of the injured, Your Grace?"

Oisin thought for a moment. It would be wise to leave some men to stay behind, tend to the wounded, and to start reconstruction.

Ike stepped forward. "I know a place where the wounded can rest."

"Very well. Erian, you can stay as well. And Ike? Thank you for watching out for my brother."

Ike nodded. Soren joined him by the time Erian started organizing the injured. Most had minor injuries, though a couple of men would need carrying. Soren joined him once they began to walk out of the village.

"What makes you think Selyne will be there?"

"More hoping, really," Ike admitted.

With a sigh, Soren said, "Oh, go on, go check."

Ike stopped momentarily to explain to Erian he was going to go ahead before departing. He slowed only when he reached the walk. He knocked on the door and waited for an answer. There was a small scuffle inside. He could hear Lena imploring Selyne, but she unbolted the door.

"Ike!" Before she could restrain herself, she laughed herself at him in a hug. "Wow, it's been so long!" she said jokingly.

"I, ah, brought you some guests." Selyne looked over his shoulder and gasped. "Do you have enough room?"

"More than enough," she replied weakly.

She and Lena were busy for hours, getting soldiers settled and fed. Soren retreated to the library. That night, as soldiers talked, ate, and exchanged stories of their part in the skirmish, Selyne stood behind her counter and listened. Ike joined her after having taken something to eat to Soren.

"So, you're a big damn hero, huh?" Her eyes sparkled as she teased him.

"I've been called that a time or two."

She laughed and leaned her head on his shoulder. "And you've brought me a prince," she continued, "I've never had one under my roof before. The royal type tend to leave us alone."

"What about now?"

She sighed and said, "Well, I can think the princelings will come down, help rebuild the village to make themselves feel nice. People will come back, those who made it away. It's all they know."

"I guess that's true for a lot of people."

"Like you?"

"Yeah."

She smiled up at him and blushed. "So, is there... any way I can thank you?"