Page 17 of Storm to Victory
He’d barely gained altitude before an explosion shoved against his aeroplane, shrapnel bursting against his magical shield.
He didn’t dare glance over his shoulder until he’d roared higher into the sky. Once he had enough height, he rolled his aeroplane onto its side.
The first of the armored vehicles lay on its side, two others tangled together as if they’d collided while trying to avoid the explosion. Even as Fieran watched, Merrik dropped his bombs on those armored vehicles and, within moments, they disappeared into a fireball.
Even as Fieran and Merrik rose upward, Lije, Stickyfingers, Aylia, and Rothilion dropped their bombs on the other armored vehicles, the bombs striking close enough to destroy or disable all but one of them.
The magical storm parted, and Dacha stepped into view, followed by Adry. Adry lifted one sword in salute before she and Dacha descended on the advancing Mongavarian Army.
Merrik circled one last time, waggling his aeroplane’s wings, before he returned to his spot as Fieran’s wingman.
Fieran grinned and shook his head. Showing off for his girlfriend was right.
Voices burst over the radio, reporting that the various coordinates had been hit. As they sounded off, Fieran balanced a small pad of paper on a knee and checked off the strikes. “Remain in station above the various points along the line and await further orders. The ground forces might request additional strikes.”
Even if they didn’t, the army would need the aerial protection, and the generals at headquarters would want a final scouting mission over the length of the front at the end of the day to confirm the new location of the front lines.
Fieran settled as comfortably as he could on the thin leather padding. This was going to be a long day now that most of the fun was over, at least for those in the sky.
As the sunhung low on the western horizon, Fieran climbed out of his aeroplane, his legs wobbling slightly at actually having to hold his weight after hours flying. For a moment he just stood there, holding on to his aeroplane while his legs remembered how to work.
A few yards away, Merrik climbed out of his aeroplane and sagged against it, shifting from leg to leg as if he couldn’t decide which leg was better suited to hold him up at the moment.
Fieran managed to push away from his aeroplane and tottered to Merrik. “How are you holding up?”
“Still standing.” Merrik leaned his back against the fuselage of his aeroplane. “That is about all you can expect at the moment.”
“True.” Fieran gave a weary laugh and clapped Merrik on the shoulder, although he made sure not to put any actual weight behind the gesture. Should he offer to let Merrik lean on him forthe walk back? He was still figuring out exactly how and when Merrik wanted Fieran to help and when he should back off.
Merrik pushed away from his aeroplane, his gait unsteady as he moved toward the mansion. Then again, Fieran’s stride was unsteady, and his only excuse was stiffness.
As they neared, Pip stepped from the stable. “How did today go?”
“We hit all the points we were supposed to, no Mongavarian aeroplanes even dared show their noses, and the front is now several miles deeper into Mongavaria than it was this morning.” Fieran resisted the urge to rub the numb stiffness out of his rear end. A hot shower was sounding rather good at the moment.
“Sounds like a successful day.” Pip grinned, the expression turning somewhat lopsided as she took in the way they were all tottering and stiff.
Merrik waved as he passed, but he kept going, disappearing through the front door into the mansion.
Since Merrik seemed fine, Fieran headed toward Pip. “How was your day?”
“Boring.” Pip shook her head, rolling her shoulders in a shrug. “There isn’t much to do while I’m waiting for all of you to return. But now that I have an entire squadron of aeroplanes to inspect, my boredom is at an end.”
“There likely won’t be much to do after your inspections either.” Fieran kneaded his thigh, trying to work out the cramping. “Probably some burnt-out engine wires after all our flying, and all the magical power cells for the shielding wires are likely empty. Did you manage to get a station rigged up so I can fill our magical power cells myself without waiting on shipments?”
“I started on it, but I don’t have all the parts I need.” Pip jabbed a hand in the direction of the stable.
“Fill out a requisition form and put it on my desk so I can add my signature to yours.” Fieran shifted to his other foot. His other leg was cramping now.
“Done and done.” Pip raised her eyebrows at him.
“Of course. Should have known.” Fieran cradled her face and gave her a quick kiss, pulling away as the ground crew wheeled one of the aeroplanes down the gravel drive to park it before the stable. “I see you need to get to work.”
“Yes.” Pip sighed and turned toward the stable.
“A walk under the stars in a few hours?” Fieran called after her.
Pip turned back toward him, walking backward for a moment. “Sounds like a plan. I’ll find you once I’m free.” With a wave, she disappeared into the stable, her voice giving orders drifting back to him.
