Page 15 of Storm to Victory
“Of course.” Rothilion sniffed, but he couldn’t fully hide his smile.
One of the second story windows opened. Stickyfingers stuck his head out and hollered, “Fieran! You’d better hurry if you don’t want all the good rooms to be claimed! Aylia already claimed the family wing for the flygirls.”
Rothilion gave another sniff. “It appears you are still in need of our good influence.”
Farther along the second story, Aylia opened a window and hung halfway out, shouting just as raucously toward Stickyfingers, “Of course I claimed the family wing! It makes the most sense for we ladies to have our own private hall!”
Merrik raised his eyebrows at Rothilion. “Such a good influence.”
Rothilion heaved a sigh.
Fieran struggled to contain his laughter long enough to actually think about the room situation.
As the senior three officers, he, Merrik, and Rothilion were entitled to pick whatever room they wanted. It was probably expected that they take the nicest rooms in the place.
But…Fieran resisted the urge to glance at Merrik. Unless this mansion had a lift installed, there would only be stairs to the second floor. While Merrik could walk well now, there were times in the evenings when he used a peg leg, crutches, or even his wheelchair to fully rest his legs. Stairs would be a hindrance, and he’d probably pick a room on the main floor.
It would make the most sense for all three of the commanding officers to room in the same general area, so they could be located easily.
Besides, it wasn’t like Fieran, Merrik, or Rothilion needed the novelty of sleeping in a luxurious room. They’d grown up wealthy. Might as well leave the ostentatious rooms for those who would appreciate the experience more.
“Take whatever rooms you want on the second or third floors.” Fieran gestured between himself, Merrik, and Rothilion. “We’ll be rooming on the main floor.”
Stickyfingers grinned, nodded, and shut the window, as did Aylia.
“Main floor.” Merrik’s voice was too carefully neutral.
“Yes. There should be the rooms for the upper staff there.” Fieran set out for the mansion once again, and the other two caught up a moment later. “We’ll be easy to find if headquarters sends someone with a message or orders, and I can take over the butler’s office for all the paperwork the higher-ups keep demanding. It might even have a telephone for communicating with headquarters.”
“Quite logical.” Rothilion quickened his pace. “I will ensure the healing stones are distributed to those who need them. Once I can locate the stones.”
“If I were to guess, there’s probably a massive pile of crates and rucksacks dumped in the foyer.” Fieran matched his pace to Merrik’s.
Rothilion nodded as he headed for the main door.
“You did not have to pick our rooms on the main floor on my account.” Merrik crossed his arms and halted, turning to face Fieran with both boots firmly planted on the gravel.
“I didn’t…” Fieran cut off his instinctual protest as he met Merrik’s gaze. “It was one factor. But everything else I said to Rothilion is also true. It makes the most logical sense. Besides, Lije, Stickyfingers, and the others will enjoy having fancy sheets and luxury furnishings far more.”
“Still having fun slumming it like a regular person?” Merrik’s flat look disappeared into a hint of his smile.
“Exactly.” Fieran crossed his arms too as he faced Merrik, his smile dropping. “As the commanding officer, it’s my job to make sure the members of my unit have what they need to operate attheir best. That means I make sure the elves have healing stones, the flygirls have privacy in their own wing, and, yes, that you have a room that is optimal for you. I’m not coddling you; I’m making sure you can operate at your best.”
Merrik sighed and shook his head. After a moment, his smile returned. “And what are you doing to make sure you operate at your best?”
“Ensuring that I have you, Rothilion, and Pip around to be the voices of sense.” Fieran grinned and set out for the mansion once again. “Speaking of sense, I have a feeling it’s going to take all three of us to bring order to whatever chaos the flyboys have turned the mansion into.”
“Very true.” Merrik matched his grin.
Chapter
Five
As more of the Half-Breed Squadron rose into the sky to join their circling pattern, Fieran could almost feel Merrik’s impatience wafting from his aeroplane in the wingman position behind Fieran’s.
In the days since they’d arrived at their new station, Fieran had set up a rotation with Flight A flying overwatch one day and Flight B the next day. That way, everyone had one day on, one day off. Besides overwatch, they’d flown numerous scouting missions.
But today, the Alliance armies were making a big push, and the whole squadron was taking to the sky to provide air support.
