Omega's Rebirth-Chapter 921: Battle Plans 2 ()

Long after the war council had ended, Jian still sat at the table. His gaze hadn’t left the map for nearly a half hour.

Neveah watched him in silence. Finally, she sighed and said, "Are you mad at me?"

Jian glanced up then, his brows furrowed in confusion.

"For bringing up the Fae portal." She explained, "You haven’t said much since then."

Jian’s expression turned apologetic, "You were right to bring it up." He said, "I’m not displeased by it. Just at my own pettiness."

Neveah’s lips twitched, "You don’t want to have to ask a favor from the Fae, I know that." She walked over to him, "Especially since in the absence of an alliance, it would be a request and not an order."

Jian grunted beneath his breath. "They are ungrateful and deplorable. When you were gone, none of them could even pretend to care. Couldn’t pretend to acknowledge the sacrifice you made to keep their undeserving population safe."

"All they cared about was their petty squabbles and whose land deserves the greater number of dragon protection." He huffed,

Her smile widened. She knew Jian’s frustrations with the tributary races were many, but she equally understood that he had truly been patient with them.

The very reason his patience had come to an end, was because of her. Because he cared so much and couldn’t bear how little they cared.

"Jian..." She crouched down, staring up at him. "I do not intend to push for a reconciliation. I do not care if they are a part of our court or not."

"This arrangement is only temporary. They need us far more than we need them." She reminded, "And they owe me a favor. I shut down a dimension crack right outside Aloria."

Jian nodded in agreement. "I’m not mad at you. Their faces just put me in a bad mood."

Neveah laughed out loud, shaking her head at him. "Who knew the great Lord of Golden Scales could sulk?"

Jian rolled his eyes, but didn’t try to deny it. Instead, he drew Neveah up to her feet and pulled her into his thigh. "Xenon... I worry about him." He admitted in a quieter tone, "I do not feel at ease, when he is not by my side."

"Having you here makes it better, of course." He added quickly, "It’s just..."

"You can’t feel him as strongly because he’s unconscious." Neveah guessed, "And you can’t help but notice what’s missing."

He nodded, "I can’t question his decision, this time. I know he has held himself back many times, so I wouldn’t worry."

"He is my King’s guard. Yet I feel as though I should be the one keeping him safe from everything."

Neveah’s heart warmed. She stroked Jian’s hair gently, "He’s no longer the same Xenon he was. You’ve done great, protecting him in his time of weakness."

"It’s time to rely on him again. Let him live his oath to you, you owe him that."

Jian smiled slightly, "I understand."

_____________

By dawn the next morning, Cassian and the second squadron had arrived at the camp.

Of course, they were not alone.

Two Fae Battalions led by Lords Finlor and Joao, as well as a battalion of Fae spirit beasts had arrived at Ebonhollow, taking up camp according to Imagor’s arrangements.

Their arrival was just in time for the first forlorn ambush on Ebonhollow, a pack of orcs led by three great orcs. The battle had ended in a victory.

But the forlorn army had halted their charge a short distance from Ebonhollow. The other army rerouting from Aloria was still at large.

It wasn’t long after, the elven elite war unit arrived, numbering to at least a thousand of their finest warriors from all the elven clans, led by Lord Weinlor and two elven princes.

It had become apparent then that there was no longer a need to remain within the borders of the forest. Spreading out various concealed camps through Ebonhollow meant the forlorn would scarcely identify which exactly harbored the dragon lords.

They could also keep a watch on the multiple points the forlorn army could arrive from, supporting the scouts watching from the skies.

Since then, war battalions from the different races arrived at different times over the next few days.

The Mer cardinals arrived, bringing news of their Sea King’s recovery.

Their Mer soldiers were experienced in sea warfare. Imagor had assigned them a camp closest to the shores of Ebonhollow where forlorn stragglers of the sea habitat repeatedly snuck into Ebonhollow.

Lady Melissa led the nymphs in person, much to Dante’s horror and Estelle’s dismay.

Worst still, the nymphs campsite was situated to the east of Ebonhollow, which was entrusted to coalesce with Dante’s flight patrol.

Neveah wasn’t certain if that had been a coincidence, or Imagor had a sneaky sense of humor.

Unexpectedly, even dwarves from the hidden city had arrived. No one was certain how to react to this development and so Imagor had settled to carve out a unique camp site for them, and a forge where they could smith weapons and armors for the other races.

This ensured their abilities were utilized for the war effort, while keeping them away from everyone else and far enough, they didn’t get to stir any trouble.

When Neveah stepped out of the command tent by the early evening, Estelle and Dante were quick to brief her on the current situation.

"Our combined forces number to a few thousand." Dante relayed, "Supply teams arriving from all the tributary territories keep the rations at a stable level."

"It’s just... the dwarves keep snatching pearls from the Mer camp." He said, running a hand through his hair. "Imagor wants me to come up with a solution and I’m running out of my wits."

Neveah chuckled quietly. "Put both camps on joint reconnaissance. There have been sightings of stragglers in the South. It’s close to the shore and Jian planned on leaving it to the Mers. Men who bleed together, settle their differences."

"They must learn to work together, if we’re to have any chances at winning this."

Dante heaved a sigh of relief, nodding in understanding.

The tributary races had been entrusted with taking care of the stragglers while the dragon lords scouted the main army and strategized for tactical advantage.

"Lords Finlor and Joao have sent in word." Estelle chipped in.

"They’re asking to see me?" Neveah guessed,

Estelle nodded. "They claim to be hoping to share a meal. But Dante thinks they want to get in your good books and have you arrange a meeting with Our Liege."

Neveah shrugged casually. "Well, let’s hear them out then."

Dante and Estelle led the way through the forest and when they had walked for a short time, they arrived at a clearing where a spirit beast grazed.

It looked like a mix between a horse and a deer, with antlers.

"We’ll follow from overhead." Dante said.

Neveah nodded, mounting the spirit beast. It took off across the ruins, in the direction of the Fae camp.