Gate of Memoirs/Hearts of Steel

An unexpected storm forces the desperate pirates to besiege the Elysian fleet with reckless abandon.
Portrait 	Dialogue
Music: "The Hunter"	Music: "The Hunter"
 	
*The pirates are a wily lot, but even they must contend with the whims of their preferred battleground—
*for the sea is a cruel and mercurial mistress, as likely to drown her enemies as her lovers.
*A sudden storm had torn across the skies, and yet the pirates chose to seize upon such a risky opportunity.
*In a flash, the Queenswrath's hull was severely damaged by a ramming prow, and shoved into the thickening mist.
*Gortius furrows his brow as his flagship is swallowed by chaos and fire.
 	
*Gortius: Captain! Where are the reinforcements?!
 	
*Captain: Pinned down by the enemy, my lord! We must retreat and regroup!
*Captain: If we stay any longer, they'll flank us. We can't afford to lose any more crew!
 	
*Gortius: Grr...
 	
* After a moment's hesitation, Gortius takes a leap of faith across the splintered rails onto the pirates' ship.
*Captain: My lord?!
 	
*Miriam: ...!
*Miriam: Captain! Take all the survivors you can and abandon ship!
*Miriam: I'll go after him!
 	
*Captain: Ugh...
*Captain: Light be with you, Commander!
Portrait 	Dialogue
 	
*Six months ago...
Music: "Valtan Fortress"	Music: "Valtan Fortress"
 	
*Miriam: Hrraahh!
 	
*Miriam slams the shield against her sparring partner with stunning force, causing him to buckle.
*The sword rests against her opponent's neck for a moment before the commander pulls back, helping the recruit to his feet.
 	
*Miriam: You'll need to focus more on your stance. 
*Miriam: The shield does more than block blows; use it to stun and force your enemies to lose their footing.
 	
*Sparring Recruit: Y-Yes...
 	
*Miriam gives the young man a pat on the shoulder and turns back to the rest of the recruits.
*Miriam: Any other questions?
 	
*Recruits: No, Commander!
 	
*Miriam: Good. Pair off and go through your exercises, then.
*As she heads off to the side, an approaching figure catches her attention.
*Miriam: Yes, soldier?
 	
*I see you're putting the greenhorns through their paces.
 	
*Miriam: ...What?
 	
*Miriam: Oh!
 	
*Gortius: Sorry. Did I startle you?
 	
*Miriam snaps into an immediate salute as the crown prince comes into view.
*Miriam: My lord! What brings you here?
 	
*Gortius: At ease. I'm merely taking a stroll.
*Gortius: I'm not getting in your way, am I?
 	
*Miriam: Of course not, my lord.
*Miriam: The recruits would be heartened by your presence. They've chosen to serve you and Elysia with all their strength.
*Miriam: ...And of course, so have I.
 	
*Gortius: Indeed. So, you'd do anything I asked of you?
 	
*Gortius: If we were to march to war tomorrow to beat back the coming winter, that won't be a problem, eh?
 	
*Miriam: Pardon me, my lord, but...
 	
*Miriam: ...Are you all right?
 	
*Gortius: Hah! I jest; you should have seen the look on your face!
*Gortius: I hope you're not offended. I was only having a spot of fun at your expense.
*Gortius: All the better to see the commander my captains spoke so highly of with my own eyes.
*Gortius: I'm pleased to see she's willing to question a selfish prince!
 	
*Gortius: Some of the others simply pretended to agree with me.
 	
*Miriam laughs, looking away with a small smile on her face.
*Miriam: To be perfectly honest, my lord, that was *awful*.
 	
*Miriam: Scanning his surroundings for eavesdroppers, Gortius dares to step close enough to whisper.
 	
*Gortius: Won't you join me for a stroll after dinner this evening?
*Gortius: Just a friendly chat.
 	
*Miriam: ...I would love to.
Portrait 	Dialogue
Music: "Tremors"	Music: "Tremors"
 	
*As Miriam lands on the deck of the pirate ship, lightning flashes overhead, her figure a stark contrast against the blinding white.
*Like the thundering storm above her, the commander cuts a bloody swath across the pirates,
*a much needed force of vengeance for the battered crew of the Queenswrath.
 	
*But deep in her mind she had only one goal—the crown prince.
*If not only for the fate of the empire, then for matters of her own heart.
Portrait	Dialogue
 	
*Miriam: We'll make it home. Together.