Omega's Rebirth-Chapter 471: The Dunes 4 ()

-A Year Later

~The City Wall, Dune City.~

It was just a little past dawn and the Dune City was already fully alive and bustling with the rush of morning activities.

The street vendors and shop owners hurried about to set up their stalls for the day and the city guard made their usual patrol through the streets, ensuring everything was in order.

The sound of carts rumbling through the cobblestone streets, and the clanging of blacksmiths at work echoed down the streets, creating a familiar cacophony.

The air was filled with the smell of wood smoke from the hearths and the scent of freshly baked bread from the bakeries.

The laborers marched out to the fields in groups, ready for the day’s work, their goofy conversations and boisterous laughter left in their wake. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

The city gates had been opened already and travelers and merchants trooped in, patiently awaiting the inspection procedure by the city guard.

It was a vibrant and lively spectacle and though a year had gone by, Neveah was yet to grow tired of it.

Neveah stood at her usual spot, a secluded place at the top of the city wall from where she watched the sun rise and the Dune City come to life, a sight she had come to appreciate and find peace in.

"Veah!" Tara’s familiar voice called to Neveah from somewhere down the stairwell leading up to the city wall.

Neveah puffed out a breath as the serene atmosphere was interrupted by Tara, and not for the first time.

The city guards guarding on the gates knew better than to interrupt Neveah’s morning moment, but Tara was a different matter entirely.

"What do you want?" Neveah asked, passing a blank gaze over to Tara.

"Do not kill the messenger. The Dune Lord sends his reminder to join him for the morning meal." Tara conveyed to Neveah.

"Would I dare forget? Father would not let me hear the end of it, if I did." Neveah murmured, nodding her head to show she had received the message.

"I will head over in a little while." Neveah assured when Tara did not leave yet, her gaze still unassured.

"You better." Tara left a final warning before she took her leave, leaving Neveah to the peace and quiet she so dearly loved.

But the mood had already been ruined, most especially now that Neveah could hear a ruckus down at the gates.

Neveah sighed, heading down the the city wall. She nodded in response to the greeting from the guards standing guard on the wall itself while making her way down.

There was a crowd of people gathered at the city gates and Neveah frowned slightly, walking over to the scene.

A group of merchants were being inspected for entry into the gates but there was one of the merchants in particular that clutched onto his shoulder and howled loudly in pain, calling unnecessary attention from other merchants and passersby.

"I tell you, you must apprehend those bandits! They cost me an arm, two horses and a cart of precious goods! Who will compensate my loss?!" The merchant wailed in pain.

"Let him through already, he should see a physician!" A voice called from somewhere down the line and many others echoed their agreement.

"He is holding up the line, we all have businesses to see to!" Another voice raged.

The city guards attempted to pacify the situation and quiet down the merchant and the other travelers seeking entry, while still trying to carry out their inspection of the over a dozen carts the merchant and his group brought along.

"We understand you are in pain, but routine inspection must be carried out before you are granted entrance. There can be no exceptions." A city guard made clear.

The merchant wailed even louder, further inciting outrage from the gathered crowd.

"Lieutenant." The guards at the gate greeted Neveah as she walked up to them.

"What is going on here?" Neveah asked the highest ranked city guard present, a young human in his late twenties.

"Lieutenant, this merchant claims to have been attacked by bandits on his way here. I was going to send out a team to confirm his story as soon as he was cleared for entry." The city guard reported to Neveah.

"His arm is broken! What other confirmation do you need?!" A voice called out from the crowd.

The city guard winced visibly that Neveah was witnessing his inability to control the situation.

"Forgive me Lieutenant. I will handle this immediately." The city guard said.

"I know you will. All he needs is a physician, right?" Neveah replied calmly, walking over to the merchant.

"May I see your arm, Sir?" Neveah asked the still howling merchant.

"Who...who are you?" The merchant asked Neveah suspiciously.

"Lieutenant Neveah Vairheac, Dune Enforcer." Neveah introduced.

"Now, may I see your arm?" Neveah requested again.

At the mention of the words ’Dune Enforcer’, the eyes of the merchant grew wide with panic and terror knowing Dune Enforcer also meant, dragon blood.

"I did nothing wrong!" The merchant cried out immediately.

"No one has accused you of anything, Sir. You yelled for a physician and I am certified by mortal and dragon standards. If I take a look at your injury, you will have nothing to worry about and the line may continue moving."

"My subordinates will also have all the time they need to inspect your carts. Afterwards, I will personally take your statement and track down the bandits you speak of." Neveah assured.

"M...my statement? In...person?" The merchant stuttered.

"Lieutenant Vairheac oversees all non-dragon military units of the White Dunes, including the city guards, castle guards and Dune Calvary Patrol, your statement would have been forwarded to her in any case as the city guard is within her jurisdiction." The city guard explained.

"May I see your arm, sir?" Neveah asked again.

"I... I..." The merchant stuttered out.

The agitated crowd had already calmed at Neveah’s introduction and her suggestion which sorted out all concerns.

"Or...are there some other concerns you would like to share?" Neveah asked.