Page 112 of Storm to Victory
“Lije?” Aaruk grinned as he exchanged handshakes with Lije, and then Pretty Face, the three of them talking over each other.
And then Merrik was there, strolling down the wharf with green magic glowing through his right pant leg, his shoulders straight, his head high. He carried himself with a confidence Fieran hadn’t seen before. The weeks of command had done him good.
Grinning, Fieran pulled Merrik in for another backslapping brother hug. “You led them well. Linshi.”
“I have not told you what happened in the past weeks.” Merrik laughed as he slapped Fieran’s back in return.
“You don’t have to. They’re all here, and you’re alive. That’s all that matters.” Fieran stepped back, though he kept a hold on Merrik’s shoulders in an elven hug a moment longer. “When did all of you return to Fort Defense?”
“As soon as you Laesornysh warriors ended the war. Rather spectacularly, I might add.” Merrik clasped Fieran’s shoulders. “Do not do that again.”
“Adry passed out too, didn’t she?” Fieran glanced over his shoulder to where his sisters were exchanging hugs with Dacha.
“Yes. It was horrible.” Merrik’s mouth pressed into a thin, unamused line that matched his tone. “But after that, the higher-ups decided that Adry and the Half-Breed Squadron had fought enough, and we were sent back here to rest. Although, it was a bit of a downgrade after the various mansions we stayed in while at the front lines.”
“They still haven’t built barracks for us, have they?” Fieran shook his head.
“Nope. We are back to tents. At least our platforms in the trees were still there.” Merrik sighed, a smile curving his mouth.
Before Fieran could say anything else, a small figure with silver-blond hair came hurtling at him from the side. He turned barely in time to catch Tryndar as his little brother shouted, “Fieran!”
“Hey, monkey.” Fieran hefted Tryndar more securely into his arms.
“You came back.” Tryndar wrapped his arms around Fieran’s neck, not even protesting the nickname like he usually did.
“Yes, I did.” Fieran patted Tryndar’s back. “I heard you were in danger.”
“It was scary,” Tryndar mumbled into Fieran’s shirt before he lifted his head and made the bursting motions with his hands that always signified magic. “But then Louise came, and she was allpffew-pffew,and the bad guys were all screaming and then it was all better.”
Fieran’s throat tightened, and for a moment all he could do was hold his little brother, thankful he was safe. He wasn’t sure he wanted to hear the full story.
Time for a subject change. He didn’t want Tryndar dwelling on those bad memories a moment longer.
“Hey, would you like to fly in my aeroplane?” Fieran grinned at Tryndar.
“Yes!” Tryndar pumped his fists.
“Can we come?” Ellie hurried toward where Fieran and Merrik stood, trailed by Merrik’s little sister Kari. Uncle Iyrinder and Aunt Patience had joined Dacha and Mama, and the four of them were slowly strolling in this direction.
Merrik sighed, although he smiled as he turned to their little sisters. “Yes. I’ll fly you. I think the two of you can squish into the back seat of one of the two-seaters.”
He was going to fly again. Fieran’s heart beat harder as he eyed Merrik. “Is my aeroplane here?”
“Yes, we made sure it got back to Fort Defense with us.” Merrik shook his head, even if his smile remained. “It’s ready to fly whenever you are.”
Perfect. Fieran turned to his parents. “We’re taking Tryndar, Ellie, and Kari flying.”
“Be careful.” Mama shot him a stern look, although she was still smiling. “Don’t crash.”
“I won’t.” Fieran stepped in to give her a quick, one-armed hug while still holding Tryndar with the other.
Dacha eyed Fieran and Tryndar, as if he was debating whether to forbid the whole thing.
Before he could, Fieran raised his voice and waved to get the attention of the squadron. “Who wants to fly?”
“Yes!”
“Let’s go!”
