Omega's Rebirth-Chapter 659: Here Now()
The first streaks of daylight seeped in through the partly open blinds of Neveah’s quarters, but lost in her own thoughts, she barely took notice of it.
It was the very quarters that had been assigned to Neveah as an attendant, a place and an identity she had left behind even much earlier than she had left Dragon Keep for the white dunes,
A time that seemed so far in the past already that Neveah was not even certain she could still call the space hers, but it was the only place Neveah felt at ease to be at this moment.
As dawn settled over Dragon Keep, Neveah stood before a mirror, staring at her reflection.
Neveah had been staring aimlessly for the longest time, she was not certain how long had gone by. It could have been a few minutes or hours even, it was hard to tell.
"No one has made use of this place in a long time, not since you left apparently, yet it remains perfectly tidy..." Tara commented from where she sat.
It was the first time Tara would interrupt Neveah’s silent musings since Neveah had led them to her quarters and to Tara’s defence, she knew this would be the most unfortunate moment to say the wrong words, given Neveah’s mood.
"Lord Rodrick would have it be so...if not on Menarx’s orders, then for guilt about Davina. It could also have been Kaliana...in the end, it is all because someone somewhere feels guilty to me." Neveah replied absentmindedly.
"Or it could just be that they hoped you would someday return?" Tara suggested quietly.
Neveah did not respond, she would not be the one to contemplate on what value she was held with to the Keep dwellers, all of that would have mattered at some point, but that point was far in the past.
Tara sighed but she fell silent and did not insist any further.
"What do you plan to do now? Will you truly face the council? One cannot tell how they would react." Tara spoke up after a moment of silence.
"One can tell... right in the moment we stand before them." Neveah replied, still absentminded.
"Veah... this, may just complicate things further. The council will throw every possible accusation at you, we might even be blamed for leading the black network here."
"We can still leave, even now. It is not too late, I am certain Everon and Menarx will pave a way for us and Lords Kirgan and Imagor are on our side also." Tara reasoned.
"Our side..." Neveah murmured, trailing off.
"There are no sides in this, Tara. There should not have to be. The King’s guard serves the Dragon King, the rider council serves the Dragon King... I also, will do anything for him. There is only one side in this and it is his."
"I understand it now. As though he unconsciously sensed the troubles to come, he left the stronghold a token greater than any other...me." Neveah said in quiet realization.
"Why should I run? This place... this Keep, when all whom I love return, I must find reasons to call this place home. I must cleanse this chilling horror that grips my heart within these walls, if I fail to do so now, I may never be able to..." Neveah said quietly.
"I understand." Tara said with a small nod.
"What are we to do now?" Tara asked Neveah.
"I cannot appear before the council like a sinner. I have done that for enough times already." Neveah murmured.
"Go to Lord Rodrick, he will tell you how to find Davina. Fetch me a dress...not just any dress, once Davina hears of the situation, she will know what to send to me... Return within the hour and then help me prepare for the council’s arrival." Neveah instructed.
"Of course." Tara accepted the instructions and swiftly took her leave.
"I will do things my way now, you won’t blame me right?" Neveah murmured quietly.
"You can just focus on returning to me with Xenon and my father... everything here, I will take care of it now." Neveah vowed quietly.
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The atmosphere in the throne room was tense as the council gathering began with the arrival of Lord Imagor.
He strode to the front of the hall and took his seat, his expression revealed he was completely unfazed by the atmosphere that greeted his arrival.
"Lord Imagor, do you care to explain what exactly happened last night? The hidden archives compromised?! The black network on Keep grounds?!" A dragon lord, Andron asked in complete disbelief.
"This council gathering is yet to be opened for deliberations. Wait." Imagor stated simply.
"Everyone who should be present is here, who else are we waiting for?" Andron asked in confusion.
"You heard Imagor, so hold Andron." Kirgan reiterated Imagor’s words.
The dragon lords and the riders looked between themselves, quiet murmurs spreading.
However, the throne room fell into silence when the large double doors came open once again to reveal a presence that was familiar to the council, though not for the best reasons.
Yet, what left the entire hall in pin drop silence was beyond just that.
The sound of quiet footsteps echoed through the silent hall as Neveah walked into the throne room, her strides slow but purposeful. Her every step exuded grace and an aura of regality hung over her, the kind that gave the members of the council pause.
Clad in a floor length dress of a pitch black shade, the bodice was adorned with golden ornaments creating a border around the dress, the ornaments were sewn into the fabric itself and thin golden chains dangled down the length of the dress adding a minimalistic yet imposing blend of black and gold.
As she walked, the chains gave off a light ’ching’ sound as they brushed against the fabric and sometimes against each other, reflecting the sunlight that seeped into the hall.
"Lady Neveah, the council was going to summon you at a later time." Lord Decaron said from where he stood.
"That is too bad... I am here now." Neveah responded blankly, she spared the dragon lord a fleeting glance but continued on her way to the front of the hall.
