Omega's Rebirth

At Neveah’s words, the audience hall once again fell into silence as the dynamics quickly switched.

Not only was the request for a unified council by the representatives invalidated, the certainty to leave the dragon court alive and unharmed had just been taken away.

By all dragon laws, immediate punishment could be dealt for matters related to treason against royal authority, so long as there was irrevocable evidence.

The composure of the dwarf representatives were quickly falling through, Neveah watched them exchange glances unsteadily.

A crack in their brave facade had already been formed and it would quickly spread until everything was shattered, the alliance between both representatives before arriving at dragon court would fall through and one would turn on the other.

It was just a matter of who would make the first move.

A pounding ache still tore through Neveah’s skull, it had not receded even now and Neveah strongly suspected it had something to do with Demevirld.

There was no methods to confirm or know for certain, Demevirld’s consciousness was still shared between Neveah and Jian and he had not said a word to her.

Neveah had not tapped into Demevirld’s magic, not even with her life on the line for fear it would interrupt Jian, but now... Neveah was growing worried.

’We should get to a private place and try to contact Jian. It has been long enough, he should have reached Xenon by now.’ Neveah’s wolf thought to her.

Neveah agreed silently, Neveah exchanged a look with Imagor, her job here was done and she did not plan to linger. She had only come to alter the proceedings of the court in the favor of the council in a manner no one else would be able to.

Imagor inclined his head slightly in a subtle gesture of respect and appreciation and Neveah returned the gesture.

With that, she walked down the center of the hall, to take her leave from the court but just at that moment, Lady Diandre spoke up.

"This information is unreliable! How is your word sufficient to convict us of treason?! Where did you procure such information on our activities?!" Lady Diandre hissed.

Neveah paused, gritting her teeth against the ache in her head, she tilted her head to the side in question.

"Is it not obvious? I have planted spies in your court." Neveah admitted without hesitation.

"You openly admit to infiltrating the Fae court?! This goes against the alliance!" A Fae representative exclaimed in outrage.

"How then did the Fae find out about the breach?" Neveah responded to the question.

"If not that you also have eyes...is it that you alone are at liberty to be unscrupulous?" Neveah asked blankly.

"Lord Imagor, this is not the dragon way!" Lady Diandre exclaimed.

Neveah smirked slightly as she watched the Faes bristle in rage.

"No, it is not... this is my way." Neveah replied instead of Imagor.

"The Fae still demand a unified council! Lord River is a noble Fae, his death cannot be overlooked!" Lady Diandre insisted.

Neveah shrugged casually at that to show she was not against it.

"Very well. There shall be a council, and you shall not leave dragon keep until that council is held... the alliance between the Fae and dragon kind is already at its end. We might as well put everything to ruin." Imagor spoke up simply.

"Be prepared to stand trial for your involvement in the attempted assassination of Her Grace." Kirgan added.

"I...we do not require a unified council. The information was sent to us by Lady Diandre, we have no idea how she came to know of the breach. We are willing to testify against the Fae before the unified council." The dwarf spokesperson quickly excluded his race.

Lady Diandre passed a look to the dwarves in disbelief as they changed their tune in just a blink of an eye.

"There is evidence, and now a testimony. It would seem...you are now on your own." Neveah murmured.

Neveah continued on her way to the door but then she stopped as she recalled Jian’s words.

’The time for battles would come.’ He had said.

Neveah understood Jian’s meaning, she was to buy time until his return. And it was without a doubt he would have his reasons, Neveah knew better than anyone that Jian had long intended to subjugate the Fae.

Pushing the Fae to the wall was necessary to remind them that even in Jian’s absence, the Dragon Court was not to be trifled but Neveah knew if she did not leave a way out and forced Lady Diandre to be convicted for treason, it would provide the Fae the justification they needed to declare war.

’Did Jian already guess, that I would be in a position to make the decision before his return?’ Neveah wondered.

’Power also meant knowing when to stop... when to wait and when to bide your time. And there is also Menarx...and Adrienne...those two will also need this time...’ Neveah thought to herself.

"No harm was done to me and Menarx’s district suffered no consequential damages, as such, I am willing to overlook this situation. In exchange, the Fae will release the supply of channelling gems hoarded to the White Dunes and shall withdraw all forces blocking the trade routes between the Mer seas and dragon territory."

"If Lady Diandre gives the order for this, you have my word that you will leave Keep Skies alive and return to your people. But you must give me your decision at this very moment." Neveah interrupted, her bargain silencing the court once again.

"Are we letting them go, just like that?!" Conrad exclaimed in astonishment.

Neveah passed him a look that spoke volumes and Conrad did not speak further.

"Fine!" Lady Diandre hissed after a moment of contemplation.

She had also realized she had no way out.

"Fine? I do not remember making a request of you, Diandre." Neveah stated, her back still turned to the court.

"I meant... I shall abide...Your Grace." Lady Diandre adjusted her words.