Omega's Rebirth-Chapter 134: Arrival Of The Dune Dragons ()
"By the rules of the keep, as attendant to a dragon lord,
"You will not be sentenced to torture or any extreme method of interrogation till My Liege says otherwise." Lord Decaron relayed to Neveah as he escorted her out of the hall.
"It is a little too late to play merciful, don’t you think?" Neveah asked, pointedly glancing down at the silver cuffs that burned through her skin.
"All that is done is by the orders of My Liege, I have no answer to your questions." Lord Decaron replied honestly.
"Fair enough." Neveah accepted his explanation, Lord Decaron’s words seemed honest enough.
"Where are you taking me?" Neveah asked after a moment of quiet.
Out of all the ascending rooms, Neveah noticed there was only one that went all the way down to the entrance of the dungeons.
The others led to the ground level as the final stop, it was naturally because access to the dungeons was limited to the dragon lords and dragon guards, as well as a few others with high enough ranks.
As they left the hall where Neveah had been questioned, Lord Decaron did not lead the way back to the dungeons,
Instead, he headed to the second ascending room which Neveah knew would lead to the ground level instead.
"A three day sentence has been passed, Lady Kaliana’s condition has only been temporarily stabilized."
"In the coming three days, her labor travails will manifest again. My Liege has given an order, whoever can provide a solution to Lady Kaliana’s condition would be granted a wish." 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚
"In the time it takes for Lady Kaliana to be saved, you shall not return to the dungeon, your place is somewhere else." Lord Decaron said in a blank tone.
"Labor travails..." Neveah murmured in a low tone as she followed behind Lord Decaron.
Arriving at the ground level, Neveah could understand exactly why King Jian had settled on this method of punishment.
The ground level was the busiest level in the keep and for good reason, other than the beasts of flight, everyone else treaded the halls of the ground level at one point or the other in the day.
It was the only way out of the keep for those who could not take flight from the landing platforms on the other levels.
The moment the ascending room came to a stop, Neveah stepped out after Lord Decaron and she was immediately greeted by dozens of stares.
All movement within the hallway came to a standstill and quiet whispers spread amongst the attendants as Neveah was led down the hallway, with the silver chains that cuffed her clinking noisily.
Humiliation, it was a form of mental torture that was most times more effective than physical torture and that was precisely what King Jian had chosen.
"She deserves whatever comes to her!" A voice hissed lowly.
"A beauty with a poisonous heart, to think she could conspire against an unborn child." Another voice said in a disgusted tone.
"I knew it right from the start that she was up to no good. Prancing around the keep feeling mighty proud of Lord Xenon’s favor, she has finally revealed her true colors." A third voice whispered.
So much hate, Neveah could not tell what exactly she had done to deserve them other than the fact that she had showed up out of nowhere,
Hateful glares from dozens of eyes were fixed on Neveah wherever they turned and Neveah kept her head held high even in the face of the scorn from all that walked past.
They continued down the hall till they stepped out of the keep and into the courtyard where Neveah was guided to a slightly elevated platform in the middle of the courtyard.
The platform was positioned in such a way that it was right at the center and almost all paths leading to and from from the courtyard were connected to it.
"Kneel." Lord Decaron instructed and Neveah frowned slightly, her brows twitching.
"And if I do not?" Neveah countered.
Neveah soon regretted her words as Lord Decaron placed a hand on her shoulder and pushed her down with unbelievable force.
Neveah’s knees crashed forcefully to the hard rock that formed the platform.
A sharp pain shot up through her knees and Neveah knew her knees were busted,
Neveah gritted her teeth to hold back the pained yelp that formed in her throat, lifting a cold glare up to Lord Decaron.
"Learn to obey and you will not be hurt. Do otherwise and believe me, I am the least of your worries." Lord Decaron warned.
"You are to remain here awaiting judgement until the molt scales are recovered or Lady Kaliana is saved by some other means. Only then will my Liege decide your fate." Lord Decaron relayed.
Neveah glanced up at the sun that was risen high in the sky, squinting slightly.
"Would it be out of order to opt for torture?" Neveah asked Lord Decaron.
Lord Decaron huffed in response as he turned and took his leave, leaving Neveah kneeling underneath the scorching sun.
A quiet sigh escaped Neveah’s lips as the very moment Lord Decaron was out of sight, Neveah noticed the increase of activity around this part of the courtyard.
Suddenly, there were throngs of attendants and keep servants, even the noble ladies went by repeatedly and Neveah understood clearly that she was the center of attraction.
She could hear the mocking laughter and jeering from a distance, and she shook her head slightly as her eyes fluttered closed.
The sun only grew even more scorching as the time passed and perspiration beaded on Neveah’s forehead.
After the first hour, Neveah lost count of just how many hours had passed since she knelt on the platform, displayed for the scorn and mockery of all within the keep.
Neveah guessed it did not matter, she was to kneel at this spot for three days, it was only a few hours, what did it matter if she lost count?
The silver cuffs had grown even more scalding with the scorching sun, the perspiration dripping down her forehead irritated her scalded neck.
Neveah swallowed down the pained whimpers that threatened to slip out of her, at every moment, there was someone watching,
And because there was someone watching, she could not display weakness lest she gave them something more to laugh about.
"Be strong Veah... this too shall pass." Neveah’s wolf whispered to her.
Neveah nodded and sucked in a deep breath, preparing herself for the days of pain ahead...
Three days, Lord Decaron had said. Three days would mean the difference between life and death.
_______________
Kaideon touched down to the landing platform, his claws ensuring his large build got a firm and steady hold before he let his wings down, folding them to his sides.
Before him, Lords Kirgan and Cassian had already arrived, they had led the flight, escorting the dune dragons to the keep.
"What is that ruckus I sighted below? The attendants seem to be out and about a lot more than usual."
Garron who had taken his human form behind Kaideon asked curiously.
"What business of yours is it? Has anyone told you, you are far too nosy for your own good." Rodvan reprimanded immediately, never missing a chance to lecture Garron.
"It is just an innocent question and I do not see why you respond to me, I was not speaking to you." Garron countered with a glare.
"We are in Dragon Keep, leave your uncultured behaviors behind." Coran chipped in, referring to both Rodvan and Garron.
"An attendant is being punished for a crime and kneels in the courtyard." Rodrick explained to the dune dragons.
"The golden haired girl with the chains? I thought my eyesight had been altered by the sun. What could she have done to be punished so cruelly?" Orin asked with a raised brow.
"She harmed the lady Kaliana." Rodrick replied in a grim tone.
"Lord Imagor’s rider?" Rodvan asked in surprise and Rodrick nodded.
"It is an affair that is being handled, but the matter that has brought you here is of greater importance." Rodrick said, revealing nothing more to the dune dragons.
"Ah...very well then." Garron said, nodding in understanding.
"Our Liege awaits you." Rodrick continued.
Kirgan, Cassian and Rodrick went in first and Kaideon and the dune dragons followed after them.
They had landed on the highest level and so it did not take all that long to arrive at King Jian’s study.
"My Liege." The dune dragons greeted in unison, dropping to a knee and bowing low.
All except Kaideon who said nothing and remained standing, only lowering his head to a bow.
"Kaideon." King Jian acknowledged, striding over to the quiet dragon.
The two exchanged a firm handshake and King Jian placed a hand on Kaideon’s shoulder.
"My warrior, how many decades has it been since I last set eyes on you?" King Jian asked fondly.
A small, rare smile settled on Kaideon’s lips as he lowered his head to another bow.
