Omega's Rebirth-Chapter 658: A Request or an Order ()

With a growl, Imagor released a torrent of flames on the portal. The portal crackled and sparked before it crashed down, bursting into blinding light.

Neveah shielded her eyes on instinct, the pained roar of a kobold echoed through the quiet night, and that was the last thing they heard.

Neveah’s hand dropped to her side, her gaze took in the aftermath of what had just happened, the boulder that now lay idly by the wall with the dirt and rocks it had dislodged laying about,

Dozens of gleaming portal shards littered on the landing platform and the severed limb of the kobold, claws still twitching... this was not at all how she had expected this night to go.

Neveah could not even begin to comprehend the mere thought of kobolds on the very grounds of Dragon Keep, it was a dishonour to Jian’s dynasty.

The kind that has never happened before, the Black Network had not gotten this close to Dragon Keep, not since Asrig was dethroned.

Jian had made certain of that and now, Neveah could not believe they had come all this way and though Neveah knew it was no fault of hers, she had somehow played a part in it.

"That was the only portal that could hold within Keep grounds..." Imagor said, his gaze moved to Neveah.

"Then we can get out of the Keep and take a normal portal, right? I have some portal artifacts from Scabbard, Estelle had me keep them just in case. We can use one of those once we are out of range of Dragon Keep, right? Back to Scabbard or wherever it can lead." Tara asked in concern.

Imagor did not respond immediately, he crouched down, inspecting the limb of the kobold.

"As you have witnessed, the black network will not back down easily. Any portals opened in Keep skies at this point stand a risk of being hijacked. There is no guarantee the result will not be the same as this attempt."

"And even if that was not the case, heading down the mountain at this point is too dangerous for you two alone, between the flight patrol, the rider council and the black network, you cannot escape being sighted." Imagor stated objectively.

"Unless..." Imagor trailed off.

"Unless by flight. Menarx and Everon could be convinced...it is a critical situation, they can get you both far enough for a portal to be effective and of less risk, and Menarx’s flight is excellent enough to avoid the flight patrol." Imagor suggested.

"However, Lady Adrienne..." Imagor trailed off.

Neveah was quiet as Tara and Imagor contemplated, her gaze was still fixed on the severed limb of the kobold.

"That makes sense. If Veah requests it of Lord Menarx, he will not turn her down. Especially with how dangerous the situation has become. We cannot afford to be too particular at this point, I am certain Lady Adrienne will understand." Tara agreed quickly.

"I will send word to Menarx." Imagor said, his gaze moved to Neveah, awaiting her approval.

Neveah did not speak for a moment before she ran a hand through her hair. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

"There will be no need for that." Neveah said blankly.

"Veah, if this is about Adrienne, I am certain she would understand..." Tara began to say but Neveah cut her off.

"Why does she have to... understand? Lady Adrienne now rides Menarx. Without her consent, it may as well be considered infidelity...do I have it wrong, Imagor?" Neveah asked absentmindedly.

"I fear you are correct." Imagor said with a nod.

"Then Everon can take you, I will stay back in Dragon Keep. The council may question me but they won’t harm me, I am under Lord Orin’s protection and that of the White Dunes... I can buy you some time to get to Dune Castle safely." Tara suggested quickly.

Neveah was not surprised by Tara’s offer to pit herself against the council, it was strange to Neveah the kind of friendship she had found in the few she had come to trust, bonds she could never have expected.

On one hand, Neveah would never let anyone take the fall for her own decisions.

On the other hand, after what had just happened, Neveah felt rage curling within her...why exactly did she have to escape Dragon Keep and the rider council? What exactly had she done wrong?

And with the rage churning in Neveah, Demevirld’s presence bristled on the surface, eager for his moment in the light.

Yet it was different, this time he didn’t push, just waited.

"There will be no need... because I am not leaving." Neveah decided.

"Lady Neveah, I do not think that is a good idea..." Imagor began to say but he trailed off when he took notice of Neveah’s eyes.

Tara also took a step back warily, her gaze panicked.

"Veah...he is here..." Tara stuttered out, referring to Demevirld.

"He has been for a while already...you see it only now because I let it show." Neveah murmured in a low tone.

"I do... not understand..." Tara said uncertainly.

"You will." Neveah stated simply. Her tone had changed, it was perfectly calm now, yet chilling cold.

"Imagor, do me a favor, get rid of the black network...every last one of them that dared show their face here, it would be dishonorable to us if they get to live beyond this night...but leave one alive and bring him to me." Neveah said to Imagor as her gaze met his.

"While you are at it, track down the location from where the portal was hijacked and dispatch your trusted subordinates to get rid of every last one of those kobolds, we cannot have beasts running wild anywhere around Keep Skies..." Neveah trailed off.

"And when this is done?" Imagor asked.

Neveah did not respond immediately, as though giving it some thought.

"When the matters are settled, summon the council to the throne room." Neveah said.

"You have made up your mind to stand before them?" Imagor asked to be certain.

"I will not be standing before them...they will stand before me." Neveah finished.

"Shall I consider this a request? Or shall I take this to be an order?" Imagor asked directly.

Neveah understood Imagor’s unspoken question.

’Had Neveah decided to step up to her title? Or was this to be done under his own authority? Was he speaking to Neveah Vairheac of the White Dunes? Or was this the Lady of Golden Scales?’

"It is not a request." Neveah clarified.

"Then I will abide and I will not fail you, My Lady." Imagor accepted, he adjusted his stance and lowered his head to a bow.

"Come Tara, you wanted to see the council. You should take a good look."Neveah said to Tara, she headed back the way she had come, not waiting to hear Tara’s response.