Omega's Rebirth-Chapter 661: Some truths ()

"Does anyone still have a reason to oppose?" Neveah asked blankly.

The rider council was quiet for a short moment, just exchanging looks before Conrad stepped out to the center of the hall.

"There has been no official decree stating your title, Lady Neveah. However, we have heard words and such speculations could not have begun without cause... the King’s guard also recognizes and acknowledges you." Conrad observed, his gaze moving to Imagor.

"Yet you have taken no measures in this time, hence it begs the question, with what title shall we receive your words? The council wishes to hear it from you first... and then from Our Liege upon his return." Conrad said.

Conrad’s words simply communicated to Neveah that she needed to clarify her own stance before the council at this moment and that whatever title she declared at this moment, she would be held responsible for the duties that came with it.

"I owe the council an apology, for my silence this long... I had believed there were things His Grace had to make known himself. However, I realize now that he already has..." Neveah said.

"I will claim no titles but that of the Lady to my dragons... His Grace and Lord Xenon." Neveah finally spoke the words aloud.

If the hall had been silent before, this time, it was in deathly silence. Neveah had just made both a claim the council was aware of and that which they had no knowledge of.

"I believe I have more than enough justification to address the council and have my words received." Neveah finished.

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The council deliberations came to an end much sooner than Neveah could have anticipated.

Slowly, the rider council filed out of the throne room at Imagor’s dismissal and just as the hall was finally cleared out, Neveah’s shoulders slumped and she exhaled a shaky breath.

"Breathe...you did just fine." Menarx’s reassurance was quietly uttered but it provided Neveah a measure of comfort.

He had just walked up to Neveah and he offered her a handkerchief which Neveah accepted, gently wiping the perspiration on her palms.

With how expertly Neveah maintained a calm countenance, it could only be Menarx who would be able to tell that Neveah was not as calm as she acted, and if the signs were not visible on her features, Menarx still seemed to know where exactly they would be.

"I am not certain they appreciated a single thing I said in the past half an hour." Neveah expressed her reservations to Menarx.

"They did not." Menarx agreed,

Neveah lifted an exasperated glare to Menarx, but he shrugged casually. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"You know enough to have prepared for an unsavoury reception. You showed strength and conveyed your intentions clearly and concisely, but it will take the council some time to get used to it." Menarx reminded Neveah.

"I do know..." Neveah murmured beneath her breath.

"What matters is the council has consented to have you peruse Asrig’s records, with their own conditions, yes...but take the win." Menarx advised.

"Menarx is right. It is already considered progress that the council is willing to accept your decision to explore an unusual option in such a time as it is that the stronghold faces." Kirgan agreed.

"You withheld some information..." Imagor pointed out.

Neveah nodded slowly, she had related to the council that she intended to explore Asrig’s writings to gain clarity on Jian’s situation, but she had not let it slip that it was on Jian’s orders or she was in communication with him.

Neveah had also feigned complete ignorance on her ability to channel Jian’s flames and how it came to be, and Neveah had not said anything of Demevirld, either to confirm or deny what she knew the council had already heard.

"There are things you all must decide on your own... that includes how to weed out the traitor amongst the council." Neveah said blankly.

Imagor’s brows furrowed slightly, he exchanged a look with Kirgan before their gazes returned to Neveah.

Neveah did not say more, she was already cautious enough with being the one throwing out the accusation.

"The rider council knowing of Neveah’s presence in Dragon Keep is one thing, but the black network acquiring that information is another thing entirely." Everon spoke up to clarify more on Neveah’s words.

"I have contemplated this..." Kirgan admitted in a low tone.

Imagor said nothing but his expression was thoroughly displeased. Neveah understood it was difficult for the dragons lords to accept that one amongst their most trusted had strayed to the dark side.

But they also could not deny the fact that there was no other way through which the black network could be so well informed as they had been on the night before, even intercepting a portal on the landing platform of the second level.

It would take a substantial amount of magic to achieve and it could only be possible if they had come prepared and aware of Neveah’s escape route.

"Do you have any suspicions?" Imagor asked Neveah.

Neveah passed a stray glance to Menarx and all eyes trailed her gaze.

Menarx’s brows furrowed slightly at Neveah’s look but Neveah quickly shook her head.

"No, I do not." Neveah said.

"We cannot afford to have any loose ends on our side." Everon communicated his opinion.

"We have to track down the informant. But discreetly." Imagor said, passing a look to Kirgan.

"I will see about it." Kirgan confirmed.

"Everon will lead you to a private quarters where you can begin." Imagor offered Neveah.

"There will be no need for that. I will make use of Jian’s study." Neveah informed.

"The temperature on the first level at this time...you may harm your health if you stay there too long." Menarx dissuaded in concern.

"I have been through worse." Neveah dismissed with a small smile.

Neveah was about to leave but she stopped.

"An idea...keep a trail on me, I believe we can all agree that whoever the informant is, they will do the very same." Neveah said to Kirgan and then she strode out.

’Why do you not directly accuse the Fae sisters? Clearly one or both of them had a hand in this and we know it.’ Neveah’s wolf thought to her.

’Because... some truths are best discovered in person.’ Neveah thought back to her wolf.