Omega's Rebirth-Chapter 475: Not Jaded ()

Kaideon raised a brow, passing a look to Tara and Coran before he gestured for them to take a sit.

"Father...do you recall how there has been multiple reports of an underground network of weapon trade and trafficking in Forts Scabbard, Inferno and The Rudder this past year? Weapons forged of adamantium?" Neveah asked quietly.

"The trades were intercepted, cut off and a good number of black markets razed down. It has been a few months since we received any reports, word has it the trade has been suppressed." Orin chipped in.

Neveah forced a smile as she unstrapped the sword box and placed it on the table.

Rodvan open the box, a hiss of rage escaping him as everyone now stared at the sword forged from adamantium ore held within the box.

The Dune enforcers exchanged glances, already understanding the situation before Neveah even said more.

"It was being trafficked into Dune City. The merchant’s caravan was apprehended at the gates but we only took notice of it at the last moment."

" I cannot say for certain the weapon trade has not already infiltrated our territory. But what I can say for certain is that...it certainly was not suppressed." Neveah relayed.

"You have them in custody?" Rodvan asked.

"Being interrogated as we speak, though so far, they have retained their silence...hence I believe I will have to step in person." Neveah said.

"Can you take it?" Kaideon asked Neveah in a serious tone.

"Yes father, I’m confident." Neveah replied with a firm nod.

"Very well. The trafficking situation is yours to handle, look into it, apprehend all related and wipe them out at once... whatever you do, have them out of our city within the week." Kaideon instructed.

"Will do." Neveah accepted the order.

"Father, I have established communication with the Lords of Fort Inferno, Fort Scabbard and The Rudder... more than just our city, I’m looking to reach into the entire syndicate... once and for all."

"In which case, I will also require cooperation from the Keep." Neveah added, her final words coming out with just a fraction of reluctance.

"Whatever you need, it’s yours. You just name it." Kaideon assured Neveah.

"I will get to work immediately, as for how to report this to the Keep... I will leave that to father." Neveah said and turned to take her leave but she paused in her step again.

"The parchment... what did it say?" Neveah asked, referring to the parchment the Dune enforcers had been discussing when they did not know of her presence.

"Uhmm... Veah..." Orin began to say but he fell quiet when Kaideon went right to the point.

"An invitation, to a ceremony in honour of Lord Menarx’s completed bond." Kaideon relayed to Neveah.

Neveah was quiet for a moment, processing the words. She could now see why the Dune enforcers had been so agitated.

It was in situations like this that Neveah found just how well her father had come to know her, while others still tried to withhold the information in a bid to protect her feelings, Kaideon broke it to Neveah in the way she liked it... plain and direct.

"Delightful news... the stronghold is blessed in it." Neveah finally said after a short moment of silence.

After which, Neveah excused herself and took her leave.

"That... that unforgivable scumbag! I can’t believe him!" Tara raged the moment they were out of earshot.

Neveah breathed a heavy sigh, she had long seen the words almost bursting their way out of Tara’s lips the whole time.

Tara’s face was already red from the efforts of trying to hold it in and not air her opinion of Menarx in Kaideon’s presence, an opinion Kaideon surely would not appreciate.

"Let it lie, Tara." Neveah said, her tone blank.

"Why should I?! It has been only a year! He couldn’t even wait a single year to jump right down to the third merging?! A year ago, you were bonded to him! What is his scale exactly, public property?!" Tara hissed.

Neveah who had quietly been finding her way out of Tara’s surrounding paused at that, her brows twitching slightly.

"Tara... your words, watch them." Neveah warned firmly.

"What is it with you and the dune lord covering for him?! The fact that he couldn’t even wait a year doesn’t speak to his character?!" Tara exclaimed in astonishment.

"Wait?! For how long?! How long do you reckon is okay?! Three years like he’s mourning the dead?! A decade like I am of blessed memory?! Or wait till I pass away?!" Neveah hissed.

"Veah... your eyes..." Tara said cautiously, taking a step towards Neveah but Neveah held out a hand to stop her.

Neveah sucked in a deep breath to calm herself, lifting a hand to rub her temple.

She did not need to see her reflection to know her eyes glowed and it was not the usual glow indicating the presence of her wolf but a dim golden shine.

That foreign presence within was making itself known again and it’s appearance was getting much more often... and much more out of Neveah’s control.

"Look Tara... I left... I left. And it was over the moment I did. Whatever Menarx does or does not do with his life has nothing to do with me."

" Lord Menarx of Ruby Scales holds no one an obligation to wait... certainly not me. We owe each other no considerations..." Neveah said with a sigh.

"You never did get to know what the third merging was about, did you?" Tara asked a question that was completely off point.

Neveah was quiet for a moment at Tara’s question and then she shrugged slightly.

"I do not know... and I do not wish to." Neveah replied honestly.

"Are you truly not even bothered by this in the slightest?" Tara asked, her tone heavy.

"I know Tara, I know you care for me but I am fine... I am not some jaded woman. I am living a life I could only dream of before this time..."

"I have my father who loves me more than his own life... Uncles that never stop being annoying since apparently, that’s what uncles are for."

"I have you who would draw a sword and dive at anyone who even looked at me the wrong way...I even have a nephew..." Neveah chuckled slightly at that.

Orin’s wife had put to birth successfully. It was a difficult birth but she had pulled through, giving him a son and an heir.

"My point is... I have a family now, a family that I love with every fiber of my being... and I do not regret any moment that lead me up to this. Painful as they were, I would not change a thing."

"So no... Tara. I am not bothered... what bothers me is watching my family still stuck in the past and refusing to let go of this grudge against Menarx. I moved on... and you all should too. " Neveah said, looking Tara straight in the eyes.