Omega's Rebirth

The door to the audience hall came open and four fae royal guards marched in first, their strides were firm and intimidating and they donned full armor, including wing guards which marked the entirety of the Fae battle regalia.

There was none within the audience hall who did not know the likeness of the Fae battle regalia, as well as the significance

Kirgan exchanged a look with Imagor, and the atmosphere descended into a thick and palpable tension at the sight of the Fae royal guards.

The only item excluded from the Fae battle regalia was their weapons which were not allowed within Dragon Keep and must have been seized at entrance.

This alone spoke volumes of the intent and stance of the Fae. It was a silent expression of aggression as no battle regalia was considered court attire, save for the riding suit of dragon riders.

The appearance of the Fae royal guards immediately escalated the agitation between the two species, yet still, no one spoke and the hall was still utterly silent.

This silence was soon interrupted by a loud, booming voice as the Fae royal guard marched up to the center of the hall where they stopped.

"The Fae representative!..." The voice of one of the Fae royal guards began to announce loudly, the words echoing through the large hall.

However, the words were interrupted by a fuming Decaron.

"Shut your mouth or I rip it apart! You dare announce your arrival in dragon court?! Shall we kneel to receive you?! Stand before the council or take your leave! Do not waste our time!" Decaron hissed darkly.

Seated on the platform, Kirgan exchanged an amused look with Imagor but Imagor’s brows only furrowed slightly in response.

"Decaron..." Imagor said warningly, but he did not reprimand the dragon lord further which communicated he was not in disagreement.

"In the absence of King Jian, I must say the dragon court has grown uncouth." Lady Diandre’s voice was light and taunting as she sauntered into the hall,

Her light green dress flowed in a long trail behind her and the other clan representatives accompanying her walked by the side to avoid stepping on it.

Her words earned her a few tight growls from some dragon lords but for the most part, the dragon lords just watched in silence, observing the Fae’s and how they would act.

The Fae royal guards parted to let Lady Diandre through their midst and she walked up to the center of the hall where she stopped for a moment.

Lady Diandre glanced around the court, a bored expression on her face, her expression only changed momentarily as her eyes settled on Lodenworth and Keila.

"You stand before the rider council and the dragon throne! Bow!" Lodenworth addressed Lady Diandre directly the moment her gaze met his narrowed eyes.

"Darling, the throne..." Lady Diandre began, gesturing to the royal throne on the elevated platform.

"It’s empty." She finished with a bored wave of her hand.

"And that is no way to speak to your aunt in-law." Lady Diandre added before her gaze moved to settle on Imagor.

"By hierarchy, I am a royal blooded Fae... and none of you here can claim the same. Has it not been an unreasonable rule to have me grovel before you? I mean...in the end, the King’s guards are just that... guards. Or what are you even, now that there is no...King?" Lady Diandre asked in question.

"You seem to have a lot of opinions now, Diandre." Kirgan replied with a low chuckle. There was no amusement in his tone, just a deathly tinge.

"Bow...or leave my presence. If you wish to address this supreme council, you will observe the appropriate protocols, or we have no reason to hear you out. Your bloodline and birthright may be absolute to your own kind, but it is of no consequence before my kin...you are no royalty here, Diandre." Imagor made it clear.

"And do not think you can walk in here and leave as you please. You must leave behind a life or two... for our time. Yours will also do." Kirgan added blankly.

The Fae royal guards stiffened at that and Decaron took a step forward, standing between the Fae representatives and the platform on which the King’s guard sat.

Not many of the dragon lords had to interfere, Decaron alone was enough. The Fae royal guards put together would be no match for him if the aggression did escalate and everyone within the hall knew that.

"Aunt...you are far outnumbered. You should not stir trouble..." Keila spoke up from where she stood, her expression concerned as the agitation steadily peaked.

Lady Diandre hissed beneath her breath but she lowered her head to a bow and all the Fae representatives followed suit.

"You may stand at ease." Imagor permitted.

"What is it that has brought you before us, Diandre of the Fae? Have you come to provide an explanation for the recent and continued... discrepancies of the Fae?" Imagor continued,

Lady Diandre’s brows twitched visibly but she stood up straight, crossing her hands elegantly in front of her.

"Discrepancies? What could the Lord of Argentine Scales refer to? I have heard of no such activity amongst my kin." Lady Diandre feigned innocence.

"Your Faes blocked the supply route of channeling gems from the Mer seas, and you dare act like you have no knowledge of it?!" Conrad hissed.

"Conrad..." Imagor warned, passing a look that ordered the agitated dragon lord to calm.

Conrad inclined his head slightly and obeyed.

"Unlike the unified race that Dragon kind is, it pains me to admit that my race does have some unscrupulous fellows. Rebels to the Fae council, bounty hunters and mercenaries...all who do as they please and disobey Fae rules."

"Your channeling gems must have fallen into the hands of one of these. By what evidence do you accuse the entire Fae race of being involved in such? We have no use for channeling gems." Lady Diandre replied simply.

Imagor chuckled quietly, nodding his head in agreement.

"But of course. Why are you here then?" Imagor asked.