CHAPTER 15
It has been a few weeks since the mercenaries left Crimea for the Begnion Empire. However, it's been five days without a strong breeze in the sail of the ship that was being sailed by Nasir. Then, Ike was brought to attention by Nasir, with him saying that a female representing the Begnion theocracy was asking for Princess Elincia. Ike was wondering how the female representative got word about the ship. Nasir suspected that it was probably word from King Caineghis of Gallia. Elincia, who stopped by to see Nasir and Ike, suggested that they meet the representative. The representative turned out to be a pegasus-riding sword-wielding Falcon Knight named Tanith.
"Princess Elincia, I presume?" asked Tanith.
"Yes, this is her right here." said Ike. "Might I ask who you are? I'm Ike by the way."
"It is an honor to meet you, Ike." Tanith said. "My name is Tanith, deputy commanding officer of the Begnion Holy Guard of Pegasus Knights."
When Elincia questioned Tanith on why someone from the Holy Guard would want to see her in person, Tanith said that the ten-year-old apostle Sanaki wanted to greet her, and that it was in fact the mission of Tanith herself to bring her to the young apostle. Elincia and Ike agreed to go. However, once they walked away for a brief moment, a red-armored Pegasus Knight serving Tanith had some bad news to report, saying that bird laguz, possibly crows, were among the skies.
"Damn it!" yelled Tanith. "We must act now. Get everyone in formation."
"Did that woman just say something about bird laguz?" asked Ross to Ike.
"Yup." Ike responded. "I'll get the soldiers."
Meanwhile, on the vessel belonging to the Begnion Empire, Gatrie, one of the Greil Mercenaries' former members, was with a Bow Knight named Astrid. They were working to fight off a third ship in the fray. However, it was unknown what nation they served. When Ike took notice of Gatrie aboard the second ship, he wanted to have a word with him along with Oscar.
"Ike! What on earth are you doing here?" asked Gatrie in shock.
"We are helping the apostle by the orders of the deputy of the holy guard." Ike explained. "And uh… who's this?" he asked after noticing Astrid.
"Oh, my name is Astrid." Astrid said as she introduced herself to Ike. "Noble of Begnion."
"I see…" Ike said. "Do you want to join our army with Gatrie?"
"I mean, I'll join back!" Gatrie said. "Lady Astrid, be my lady!"
"I will!" Astrid said. The fight later began.
Later on during the fight, a female sniper was speaking with King Naesala, King of the raven nation of Kilvas. In the distance, three hawk laguz members, including the mighty King Tibarn, were aware of what the sniper and Naesala were speaking about.
"That damned dark-winged bastard…" said Tibarn. "Should have known he was involved in this fight."
"Yeah. Talk about cruel irony." said Janaff, eyes of the Hawk King. "Ulki, what are you hearing from that ship?"
"Looks like that ship has Princess Crimea." said Ulki, ears of the Hawk King, to Janaff.
"Well, we fight with honor, dignity, respect." Tibarn said. "We are nothing like Naesala, that dirty freak of Kilvas. Come, hawks! Fly back to Phoenicis!" he ordered.
"Were those… hawks?" Ike asked.
"Yes, Ike." Samantha said.
"Hold it, hold it, HOLD IT!" said a Begnion soldier serving Tanith. "Why are there children in this battle?!"
"Hey, stop age-discriminating us!" said Samantha. "And don't judge the appearance of Izzy, either!"
"What are we just representing different groups of people here?!" asked another Begnion soldier.
Later on, a pegasus was heard. It was the pegasus of Sigrun, captain of the Holy Guard. She ordered her ladies to charge for the unknown ship. Later on, with a shock, the apostle was not seen, as she was discovered missing.
"This business is giving me one big headache!" Tanith said.
"If I heard correctly, the apostle is missing right?" asked Ike.
"Yup. Gone. Kaput. Bye-bye." said Tanith. "If you would mind finding her, it would be grateful."
"We'll find her." said Ike.
"I'll help!" Soren said.
"Me too!" said Soren.
"Me three." said Titania.
"Perfect." Tanith said. "I thank you." Everyone started searching for the apostle.
When Soren found a child on the ship, that child turned out to be Sanaki, Empress of Begnion. Ike never knew, and started to assist her without warning. However, Sanaki could not tolerate the manners anymore.
"You stand in the presence of Sanaki, empress of Begnion! I am the apostle! The voice of the goddess, that is!" said apostle Sanaki.
"You're… not the apostle! You are just a damn child!" yelled Soren.
"You… you ignorant people!" Sanaki yelled.
"Wait!" Sigrun yelled as she appeared before the group.
"Sigrun…" Sanaki said. "I… beg my forgiveness…"
"Are you alright, Empress Sanaki?" asked Sigrun.
"I… am… fine." said Sanaki. "But we must offer our rescuers a reward. Let them visit my court at Sienne, the Begnion Empire's capital." she later said. Ike was shocked. In secret, he hated nobles and nobility. But he had no choice but to accept.