Eleanon found BroadWing almost as soon as the Icarii birdman had left the meeting with Axis. BroadWing nodded at Eleanon, then indicated a doorway through to a public balcony which was for the moment empty of anyone else.
“It has been difficult, to return,” said Eleanon. “It is not in my nature to ask for help, or accept that I might not be all that I could be.”
BroadWing said nothing, regarding Eleanon with sharp eyes.
“My fighters, the twelve thousand I have left, wait close,” said Eleanon, and BroadWing glanced out into the sky, seeing the grayish haze of the almost invisible Lealfast drifting through the sky at the base of a nearby cloud.
“They are yours,” Eleanon said.
BroadWing brought his eyes back to the Lealfast man. He was still very unsure of Eleanon…but he had learned to respect Inardle, almost to like her, and he supposed that he could manage that with this one, too.
“I want them quartered with the Strike Force,” said BroadWing. “I do not want separate forces, just one integral force. Do you see that balcony thirty paces higher and to the left?”
Eleanon glanced, then nodded.
“That leads into the Strike Force’s lodgings,” BroadWing said.
He paused significantly.
Eleanon looked at him, hesitated, then nodded. He lifted a hand and gestured into the sky.
A moment later the Lealfast fighters began to materialize in the air, banking their wings on an approach to the higher balcony.
“Good,” said BroadWing. “I will address them shortly. From now on, you answer to me. The Lealfast fighters now are members of the Strike Force, and I am commander of the Strike Force. You no longer command the Lealfast fighters.”
“Of course,” said Eleanon.
“You are being more cooperative than I’d thought,” BroadWing said.
“You have no idea how guilty I feel about what happened when I led the Lealfast into Armat’s trap,” Eleanon said. “I have lain sleepless over it. I need to make amends—not to you or Axis, or even Maximilian—but to the Lealfast who survived that nightmare. They have great potential, BroadWing. They will learn quickly and without murmur. As will I. BroadWing,” Eleanon hesitated, then went on, “it has been a long road to admit to myself just how skilled the Strike Force is. I can learn from you, I want to learn from you…everything you have to teach me. My loyalty is to you, and then to Maximilian Persimius and Elcho Falling.”
BroadWing relaxed. There had not been a false note in that speech. He rested a hand on Eleanon’s shoulder. “We will start this afternoon,” he said, “and I shall show you how the Strike Force will defend Elcho Falling against whatever that damned glass pyramid can throw against it.”