Omega's Rebirth-Chapter 400: One More Person ()

"I did not quite figure it out but thinking back, Rodvan mentioned that jump portals have a very short effect range." 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

"There might have been no evidence left behind in the academy itself, but if the range of effect is measured, it is not difficult to predict from where the portal was originally cast..." Neveah trailed off as Estelle presented small gleaming shards that looks like broken pieces of a flat gem.

"Neveah had us check the mountain range leading up to the academy, the mountain range leads to a dead end cliff and so the dragon guards would overlook that as a point of exit while searching for Neveah."

"We found these pieces there. The portal shards of jump portals are easy to miss unless you know exactly what you are looking for." Dante reported.

Kirgan stepped forward to take the pieces and he inspected them closely before he passed them off to Cassian.

"You are the best with such matters, Cassian. What do you think?" Kirgan asked Cassian for his opinion.

"These are truly portal shards of jump portals, such shards are left behind when the portal is forcefully shut down in a hurry and so the rip in space cracks and crumbles into shards of magical energy." Cassian confirmed with a nod.

"How is that any proof that I cast the portal?! It could have been anyone!" Lady Adrienne defended.

"That in itself is not proof enough that you cast the portal. The fact that you were the only royal fairy present in this vicinity at the time is also not sufficient proof." Neveah agreed.

"But though my knowledge of magic is limited, I gather it would be possible to determine who cast the portal if the shards were examined by a mage, wouldn’t it?" Neveah asked,

"It would. The portal shards contain the traces of magical energy of the caster, it would be difficult but not impossible for the academy of magic." Cassian agreed.

"Then may we summon the mages of the academy of magic and have them examine the shards? Then we will know for certain who cast the portal. What do you say, Lady Adrienne?" Neveah asked with a raised brow.

Lady Adrienne seemed at a loss on what to say, she tried to keep on a confident facade but Neveah could see she was nervous.

"The rider council is the most revered council in the stronghold, what is the punishment for one who lies before the council?" Neveah asked.

"It would depend on the decision of the council." Kirgan replied.

" I’ll say it here and now, if it is proven that Lady Adrienne has cast the portal, I will demand the highest sentence for lying before the council." Neveah made clear.

"Adrienne, have you anything to say to us before any further steps are taken?" Everon asked Adrienne.

"I... I...it was Davina!" Lady Adrienne cracked just as Neveah had known she would.

"How so?" Neveah asked with a raised brow.

"Davina had me do her a favor. I did not know what the portal was meant for, I swear it! I only cast the portal as she instructed and left afterwards, I had no idea she would do such a thing!" Lady Adrienne sought another way out.

Neveah nodded as she turned to Davina whose head was lowered, avoiding everyone’s gaze, but Neveah did not ask anything, she just watched Davina in silence.

"Veah..." Menarx began to say when Neveah did not continue the interrogation for a short while.

"We are waiting on one more person, I request the council’s patience." Neveah said, her eyes moving to the door of the hall.

It took a short moment but the doors came open and Eidon walked in, and with him was Lord Rodrick who was dressed in tattered robes and seemed to be nursing a head injury.

"My Liege." Lord Rodrick greeted in a strained tone, lowering his head to a bow.

"Did no one wonder where Lord Rodrick was all this while and why he was yet to report back?" Neveah asked aloud.

"We just assumed he was upset after seeing Davina." Menarx said.

"Rodrick...what happened to you?" King Jian demanded with a frown, his eyes scanning the condition of his aide.

The entire council were eerily silent knowing there was nothing King Jian detested more than having those around him hurt.

"I... I was going down the mountain to meet Davie, it was the route I always took. I don’t know how it happened but I slipped and tumbled down the side into the ravine below. If Eidon didn’t find me..." Lord Rodrick trailed off.

"Of course you did." Neveah murmured, though she knew everyone could still hear her words.

"Come, let me check on your condition." Everon said to Lord Rodrick but Neveah stopped him.

"Allow me just a moment, Your Eminence." Neveah requested, addressing Everon by his title.

"Lord Rodrick, if I am correct, you never got to meet Davina last night, did you?" Neveah asked.

"No, I did not. I fell on my way down the mountain and I was unconscious till a little past dawn." Lord Rodrick agreed.

"Then I will paint the picture clearly. Why was Lord Rodrick not found by the flight patrol both during the night flight and at dawn? " Neveah asked, her question directed at Eidon.

"He fell into a crack by the ravine, it is just out of sight and would be hard to spot. I was only able to find him with the directions Lady Neveah had Dante send me." Eidon reported.

"I am sure it is clear now that all of this could not have been a coincidence or an accident?" Neveah asked.

"It appears it was well arranged so Rodrick would not get to meet Davina before the trial...but why would anyone do that?" Everon asked in bafflement.

"Why? Davina will tell you." Neveah replied.

"Lord Rodrick, Lady Adrienne has pointed out your daughter as being the one who requested a portal with which I was abducted from the academy... would you be kind enough to ask Davina if this is true? "

"And if it is, what her reasons were?" Neveah asked.