Lanzians, War and the Warbonded

The Harpies as a people are (technically) never at war with anyone. While raiding is common and the back-and-forth of military intervention is a common response, the Lanzian Harpies dont recognise any serious reason to collect under a single hegemonic banner and risk a fight to the death over something as meaningless as policy objectives. Instead individual warbands manage their own affairs and largely fend for themselves.
In their pre-spacefaring history, while the conventionally civilised Astio harpies would periodically clash conscript militaries together on the planet's supercontinent, the Lanzians would rarely need to form a cohesive military and fight large battles. The only time it was necessary to do so was if an Astio great power would attempt to subjugate Lanzian havens and island communities, forcing the pirates and traders to band together to defend their freedom.
For what is in many ways a stereotypical warrior culture, the Lanzian word for war carries ominous, even apocalyptic tones. Going into battle might be the career or pastime of Trideste's children, but going to war means the finality of an end to history and defeat could easily bring servitude or extermination.
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One of the few positive connotations to Lanzian warfare is the legend and tradition of the Warbonded. An ancient (and in some ways culturally foundational) epic poem tells of an Astio fighter Phaeil and a Lanzian buccaneer Patriclia, who met as enemies but fell in love and together fought to save Phaeil's homeland from destruction.
While considered part of the classical canon for early harpy literature, the poem has created a rarely invoked precedent. When a harpy cartel, warband or armed company faces certain death and destruction by a foreign force - when the war of the Lanzian tongue is upon them - a Warbonded couple is created. Two lovers may be raised to captaincy or two experienced commanders may have their feelings for one another elevated by what amounts to shotgun wedding.
When a Warbonded individual enters battle, they do so by the side of their partner and with their respective ships in close formation at the heart of the Harpy attack. The normally flighty harpies, when faced with superior firepower and any testing of courage fulfilled, may flee the battle piecemeal to preserve their own ships. But a Warbonded couple are motivated by something stronger than mere courage and will stand and fight for as long as one or the other is at risk. Other harpies, having a strong idealistic streak no matter their piratical exploits, would be inspired to join the couple.
The few Warbonded who have survived their war and returned together will become legends in their own right, immortalised as successors to the legacy of Patriclia and Phaeil.