Omega's Rebirth

At the highest parapet of the first tower of the rider’s academy, the sight of an emerald scaled beast making flight for the academy became even more clear as moments passed.

The sight was a much welcome relief to a pacing Master Maloway who stood at that height and watched for the arrival of Lord Kirgan whom he had sent for.

Master Maloway was not the only one who awaited the arrival of the only King’s guard left behind in the Keep.

Not so great a distance from Master Maloway, the other two senior masters of the academy, Masters Heather and Gerwin stood.

They were calm at first glance, each standing at their own corner, seemingly unaffected by Master Maloway’s anxiety, yet their countenance was visibly bothered and that much was obvious.

"Summoning the King’s guard to the academy with such urgency, when last have we had such an unlikely situation?" Master Heather grumbled beneath her breath from where she stood.

The rider’s academy had a great reputation and one of its most priced accolades was handling its own affairs independent from the Keep.

However there were cases such as this where none in the academy was exactly sure how to handle.

"Heather, the girl in question is entrusted to Master Maloway’s care. She is to be on the King’s guard and her identity is not easy...we must seek Lord Kirgan’s guidance." Master Gerwin reminded his colleague.

"You know as well as I do that the academy is tightly guarded, never has there been an occurrence such as this. How could the Lady Neveah disappear into thin air? Make it make sense!" Master Heather hissed in frustration.

There was not much time to say more as Lord Kirgan’s dragon form had already arrived and now hovered right beside the parapet.

The green scaled dragon shifted and Lord Kirgan stepped down to the platform in his human form, his eyes narrowed.

"The Lady Neveah... disappeared?" Kirgan demanded in a low tone, his eyes fixed on Master Maloway.

It was obvious Lord Kirgan had already heard Master Heather’s words while Master Maloway had busily contemplated over the best way to break the news.

"My Lord, it is as you have heard. Lady Neveah... is not within academy grounds." Master Maloway replied directly, there was no smoothing out the truth.

As baffling as it was to the Masters of the Academy, they had awakened at dawn to realize the Lady of Ruby scales had completely disappeared.

There were no traces left behind of any intruders, or evidence of a struggle, nothing to tell that there had been an unwilling capture.

"How has this happened?" Kirgan asked.

"The Lady Neveah did not show up for training at dawn. I had requested for her to be summoned, but on arriving at her quarters, we discovered she never did return the night before."

"The guards on duty cannot ascertain how...but no one has seen or heard from her since last night." Master Maloway explained.

Kirgan frowned, he had just returned from a flight patrol when he received Master Maloway’s urgent summons.

Knowing Master Maloway, Kirgan knew for certain it could not be a trivial matter but he surely had not expected he would be faced with Neveah’s disappearance

Neveah... the wolf girl was one who was already entwined with too many people Kirgan valued,

At this critical time, the last thing that could happen was for her to face any harm.

Kirgan was left in charge of Keep defence, this would be a concern only he could entertain at this time.

"Tell me you have not sent word to Menarx." Kirgan asked first.

"We have kept it under wraps, awaiting your discretion." Master Maloway assured.

"Menarx leads the fourth squadron to the first outpost of the Dwarven empire on the outskirts of the Citadel."

"His injuries are still critical, he exerts himself already. We know enough to know what consequence this news would have...he cannot hear word of this." Kirgan made clear.

"Well understood." Master Maloway agreed with a nod of understanding.

"Her last known location?" Kirgan enquired, his mind already working to consider the possibilities.

"The library, Mor’rud dismissed her a little past the tenth hour. He awaits in my study." Master Maloway reported without delay.

"I want every single guard on duty last night summoned, I will sort this out myself...war looms in the horizon, I will not have my brothers hear of this." Kirgan declared sternly.

Kirgan strode past Master Maloway leading the way into the first tower, where he headed straight for Master Maloway’s study.

As Kirgan walked, he suddenly paused halfway as another thought came to mind, a deeply worrying thought.

"And by every means... keep this away from Mount Edar. Not even a single whisper leaves academy grounds till Neveah is found..." Kirgan warned sternly.

"Or the dwarves would be the least of our worries..." Kirgan added in a quiet murmur.

One did not need to enquire of just what force lurked in the depths of Mount Edar, in a temporary solitude, away from the troubles stirring across the stronghold.

Yet if there was one thing that was well known to Kirgan...it was only a matter of time till the beast of Mount Edar returned to the limelight.

But for the time being, Kirgan knew it was much safer for everyone that he remained a silent presence lurking in the distance till the troubles were calmed.

Especially now, when the name ’Neveah’ had become involved in such an unlikely manner...it was the surest trigger that would let loose a rain of terror, Kirgan was very clear on this.

"Does My Lord reckon anything untoward might have occurred?" Master Gerwin asked worriedly as they followed after Kirgan.

The mere thought sent a chilling cold feeling down Kirgan’s spine. It was impossible for him to even contemplate over just what ripple effect that would have.

Kirgan’s first response was a mirthless chuckle.

"Untoward? We should dearly hope not..." Kirgan murmured, shaking his head.