Omega's Rebirth-Chapter 916: Forgiveness ()

"How is it?" Neveah asked, glancing up at Dante’s entrance. Estelle wasn’t far behind him.

She sat at the head of the table in the war council, surrounded by Keep dragons.

"The White Dunes is under siege by the Forlorn. They attack relentlessly but Lord Kaideon’s defense holds." Dante reported, "Their supplies are rapidly dwindling. My father’s supply unit was cut off by manticore packs. He’s been delayed for a few days."

Neveah sighed, "We can’t risk portal hijacks. Have the flight patrol from the rudder offer backup to clear the path."

"The first squadron at Ebonhollow, led by Lords Imagor and Kirgan wiped out a few straggler forlorn units today. They grew in number from the last day." Dante continued,

Neveah nodded grimly, "The main army is close. Very close."

"And Menarx?" She asked, glancing around the table for the scout who’d gone to the fodder grooves.

"The Lord of Ruby Scales has the situation at the fodder grooves stabilized." A Keep dragon reported, "Those injured during the last ambush have been replaced while they receive medical care here in the Keep."

"Cassian?"

Estelle answered this time. "The forlorn army marching on Aloria seems to be moving at an uncharacteristic slow pace. But Lord Cassian is keeping an eye on the situation."

"And the dimension cracks?" She asked,

The Keep dragons exchanged looks. "We’ve recorded half a dozen more cracks this week. Not active yet...but we have eyes on them."

She sighed heavily, "Our forces are stretched thin as it is. We can’t afford to have good men watching hundreds of cracks for the forlorn rising."

Tapping a finger rhythmically, she sighed. "Send in mage units. Anything from junior to advanced rank. They may not be able to close down the crack, but they can enclose it with layers of barrier. Their primary goal is to keep watch in place of the dragon lords, and sense the rising of any forlorn."

"I will send the order." Dante confirmed.

"Very well. The battle lords protect the stronghold at the frontlines. In the meantime, we support them in any way we can." Neveah reminded, "Supplies. Communication. Anything."

"If the scouts bring in any information, run it by me, the second it comes in."

"Understood."

She dismissed the council and the Keep dragons filed out of the hall. Dante and Estelle lingered behind.

When the door went closed, she let her head drop to the table. "I feel like I’m losing my mind."

Estelle sighed. "Veah. You’re doing a great job keeping everything running here. As for the front lines, you just have to trust that the battle lords have it in hand."

Dante nodded in agreement, "So far, things are looking good. Excluding the slight mishap on Verothrax’s part that got him and a few lords injured, the battle is yet to take a negative turn."

"Hundreds of forlorn have been taken out. We record no casualties on our end."

Neveah sat up, running a hand carelessly through her hair. "They can afford a hundred beasts, Dante. A thousand even. They’ll just keep pouring in."

"How long can we keep this up?" Neveah asked in dismay, "It’s been barely two weeks. By facing enemies on multiple fronts simultaneously, the stronghold is being pushed to its limits."

"I don’t know, Elle. But I think I have to go out there. Put an end to this madness for good."

Estelle placed a hand on Neveah’s shoulder, "Listen Veah, at your best, you’re the finest rider this stronghold has ever seen. At your worst..." She trailed off hesitantly,

"I’m the Dragon King’s weakness." Neveah completed the words, her tone pained. "A gleaming target on his back. If I’m hurt, he falters, and everything crumbles. I know Elle, I know."

"Trust them." Estelle insisted. "That’s how we can be of help."

"This is infuriating." Neveah grumbled, dropping her head back down on the desk.

"Verothrax..." Dante began, trailing off.

Neveah glanced up again at that. "What about him?"

"Well... he’s conscious now." Dante relayed, "He came to a short time ago, but asked Everon and I not to mention anything to you. He plans to head back to the front lines by dawn and nothing Everon has said ... believe me, he said everything, can convince him otherwise. Verothrax is set on his decision."

Neveah couldn’t believe her ears. "He crashed from the damned skies! He was lucky enough the trees broke his fall or he would have a lot more to worry about than broken limbs! And what?! He wants to go back out there with a cast around his arms?!"

Estelle sighed. "He’s still avoiding you, clearly."

"Oh yeah?" Neveah asked, getting up to her feet. "I want him to look me in the eye and say it to me."

She stormed out, making her way to the healer’s hall.

The hall was busy around the clock. With the war growing fiercer by the day, injured mages and a few dragon lords here or there. The more severe cases were consistently brought in, while healers were sent out to the front lines in dozens.

"Your Grace." A mage with bandages around his head greeted at Neveah’s entrance.

His words drew the attention of others and a string of greetings followed as Neveah ventured in, nodding in response and saying a word or two to faces she recognized.

She got into the inner hall where the dragon lords were being tended to, their riders sitting at their sides, and all eyes shifted to her.

There were seven dragon lords in total. Five she recognized from the fourth squadron, and their riders from her brief time in the academy.

The other two were scouts from Dusk castle that had been ambushed on their way to deliver news. The Keep was within range to receive treatment than their own castle and so she’d invited them in.

Amongst the seven, their injuries ranged from minor to severe. The one thing they all had in common, however, was that their riders were completely unharmed. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Her chest tightened at the sight. Not much needed to be said. These men had somehow taken whatever danger upon themselves to keep their lovers safe.

It was no wonder Master Heather at the academy had repeatedly reiterated, that riders were expendable, but dragons were not.

It was the rider’s responsibility to know that. It couldn’t be taught to dragons...they were wired otherwise.

"Your Grace." They greeted in near unison.

Neveah nodded, forcing a smile to her lips. It was the only comfort she could afford to offer at the moment.

And she could see in their eyes, it was more than enough.

Finally, she headed into Everon’s personal room and sure enough, Verothrax occupied the bed by the wall, his eyes were fixed on the window, ignoring Everon’s not so subtle glare.

Everon noticed Neveah first. She lifted a finger to her lips before he could announce her presence.

Everon nodded slowly, throwing another glare to Verothrax before he headed out.

Neveah took a few steps forward.

"Look, I’m leaving regardless of what you do, Lord Everon." Verothrax mumbled, "Just get this cast off of me and give me something for the pain if you will. Or not. I’ve had worse anyways."

"Everon isn’t here." Neveah said.

Verothrax stiffened visibly. His head turned slowly to Neveah, eyes wide and wary.

For a moment, he just stared at her in complete horror. And finally...

"I... I..." His voice cracked, "I don’t deserve to live. I..."