`` no , indeed , '' temeraire said in some irritation , a state which only increased upon their arrival : the russian covert was far better placed than the ground which they had been allocated , with better drainage , several small ponds and lakes sharing ground with a series of low craggy foothills , into which hollows had been dug and large roofs built out to make neat and comfortable dens , and from aloft many of these looked quite deserted but for small bands of men : temeraire felt he and chu might at least have been invited to take up residence , as a gesture of courtesy to the senior officers of their force , even if there were not enough room for all the dragons which were coming .