Omega's Rebirth-Chapter 665: Ulterior Motive ()

A knock on the door drew Neveah back to reality. Neveah inhaled deeply, suppressing her wolf before the door came open.

Imagor paused by the door, he studied Neveah’s expression for a moment before he inclined his head to a bow, and then walked in.

His gaze first settled on the chest and the scrolls Neveah had laid out on the table. Before they moved to Neveah questioningly,

"Is everything alright, My Lady? You look... pale." Imagor pointed out to Neveah, walking over to the desk.

"Yes...of course." Neveah said quickly,

She grabbed the scroll that was left open, she rolled it up and placed it aside before she returned her attention to Imagor.

Imagor did not comment on Neveah’s actions, though Neveah knew he took note of it and would most likely bring it up at some other time.

"What is the state of things? I had to see the council so we have not met separately, but you owe me a report." Neveah said to Imagor.

With the council gathering happening immediately Imagor returned from hunting down the dark sorcerers, Neveah was yet to meet the King’s guard separately and she had refrained from enquiring in the throne room.

"And not the incomplete report you provided the council, I want the details...how, why and what did the Black Network come for? How was a portal hijacked right here in Dragon Keep?" Neveah asked.

"The portal was hijacked from a mountain range some distance from the fodder grooves... I believe the spell used must have constituted some physical attribute linked to the second level,"

"The mages are already looking into it, though there is not much evidence left behind after my flames." Imagor related.

"The kobolds... unfortunately were portaled away from the location before we arrived there."

"The academy of magic is tracking down the portal signature, it will take a bit longer to track the destination they were portaled to...forgive my inability. But we can at least confirm that the traces of the portal are not anywhere around Keep Skies." Imagor continued, inclining his head slightly in apology.

Neveah’s brows furrowed, but she nodded once. She had already expected they would not arrive in time, portals were still far more effective than flight.

"The dark sorcerers sighted are still being rounded up as we speak, they have always been adept at blending in and concealing themselves, but they will not be as successful this close to Dragon Keep." Imagor reported.

"How many do we speak of?" Neveah asked Imagor.

"The sightings roughly number to about a dozen sorcerers. So far, five were executed on sight and two have been taken into custody. There are still five at large but the city guard is on their trail, the entire citadel is aware and the commoners offer full cooperation, it is only a matter of time till we get to them." Imagor relayed to Neveah.

"A dozen dark sorcerers... and a hijacked portal, could it be possible that all these arrangements were made just to intercept me? All for this?" Neveah asked, gesturing to the chest.

"The information contained in those records is unknown to us, My Lady. However, my brothers and I do not believe that alone is worth the black network risking complete exposure to finally come out of the shadows after so long." Imagor said with a shake of his head.

"Tell me what you think." Neveah permitted.

"We believe they were likely to intercept you should you leave Dragon Keep with... that..." Imagor trailed off before he continued.

"But also, it must have been intended as another attempt on your life, as it happened back at the water source in Fort Scabbard... there is likely to be more." Imagor admitted.

"So, they are after not just Asrig’s writings, but me also, and perhaps an ulterior motive..." Neveah murmured.

"I fear you must be the primary reason they have come this close to Dragon Keep." Imagor said honestly.

"They want Demevirld... that is the only thing that makes sense." Neveah said thoughtfully.

"I agree." Imagor replied.

Neveah got up from where she sat, she rounded the desk and walked over to the balcony,

"Earlier, they seemed to have given up on Demevirld. Instead, attempting to expose my possession of him to the world... I had thought their aim was to have the dragon dynasty questioned by the people for concealing the existence of Demevirld."

"But all of a sudden, plans seem to have changed on their end. If they are coming for me so relentlessly, to risk coming so close to Keep grounds, then there must be some sort of urgency in their plans...or an ulterior motive." Neveah muttered thoughtfully.

"The dark sorcerers in our custody have been sent down to Menarx’s district. He will provide a report soon, we may have a clearer picture then." Imagor said to Neveah.

"If there was one thing certain, it would be the fact that the Black Network would surely be aware that by coming this close, a few of them would fall into our hands..."

"From what I have heard of them, there is nothing they loathe more than being captured alive."

"They have been so elusive, if they came this close to the Keep...it rather seems like they wanted us to know of their presence here."

"I mean... wouldn’t it be easier to capture me at any other location but this? And I did not truly expect you would get any of them alive...yet two..." Neveah mused aloud.

"It all appears too... strange. I would kill myself before I get taken down to Menarx’s district, the black network are not ignorant of this..."

Neveah pondered over it for a brief moment before something came to mind.

"Menarx’s district...who is the highest profile criminal there?" Neveah asked Imagor.

"There are quite a few of them..." Imagor murmured,

"The Dwarf King, some Fae Clan lords, Lord River...all the criminals awaiting the final sentence by the unified council." Imagor began to list but trailed off.

"Imagor... what is it?" Neveah asked warily.

"Without Jian, there can be no unified council... which means, if anything happens to one of these criminals at this time..." Imagor said and then his gaze met Neveah’s.