Omega's Rebirth-Chapter 552: Waterfall Inn ()

A loud rapping against the doors of the Waterfall Inn echoed down the quiet streets and the doors swung open, a middle aged man dressed in brown robes stood on the other side, a stiff smile on his face.

"Apologies, Lord. But the inn is no longer accepting patrons at this time." The middle aged man who was assumably the innkeeper relayed in a gruff voice.

"I have a reservation." Neveah relayed, deepening her voice as much as she could.

The innkeeper glanced over Neveah for a moment, his gaze lingering on the scarf she had wrapped around her head and neck, leaving only her eyes visible.

Over that, Neveah had on a straw hat that curved low and hid even her eyes from view. It was a typical protective attire for merchants that travelled through the deserts to guard against the white sands in sandstorms.

"May I see it?" The innkeeper asked, his voice had taken on a more polite tone after a good look at Neveah.

Neveah was impressed to find the innkeeper had truly fallen for the disguise Tara had put together for her.

Tara was extremely skillful at the art, and so Neveah had not protested when Tara made it clear she could not go to the waterfall inn as she was, not if she did not want to be recognised immediately.

With Neveah’s golden locks and status, it was most likely she would be identified the moment she arrived at the doors.

Neveah had not intended to conceal her identity initially, but Tara had made it work.

Between the large robes that were almost twice Neveah’s size, swallowing up every curve or indication that Neveah was a female, there was also the false beard and extra skin Tara had added to Neveah’s face to create the illusion of a lean man.

Neveah had not even recognized her own self, those who were not familiar with her would never be able to see through the disguise.

Neveah pulled out the small wooden plaque the commander of the city guard had acquired for her.

It was meant to have belonged to a nymph bounty hunter who was under the employment of the Fae council, but the said bounty hunter had been arrested by the dune enforcers a few days ago, as such, Neveah would now make use of his identity and reservation.

Neveah was not familiar with the bounty hunter, but the dune enforcers had received royal order to ward off any who had relations to the Fae even before the breach and they had done so.

As Neveah handed the plaque to the innkeeper, she watched him examine it and took note of the change in his expression.

"If My Lord would take off your hat and scarf...these are worrying times and so we must be extra cautious." The innkeeper explained, laughing nervously.

Neveah frowned slightly, her hand inching to the hilt of the sword dangling from her belt.

"Would this be the first time you see one dressed as this? I should think there would be many with questionable identity... this is the Waterfall Inn, after all." Neveah replied blankly.

The innkeeper watched Neveah warily for a moment, before he revealed a genuine grin.

"You are Sir Blackbird indeed." The innkeeper greeted.

’Blackbird?’ Neveah thought, that was surely not the name the bounty hunter had provided to the dune enforcers, but Neveah said nothing aloud.

Neveah could not believe it, this had to be a complete crime syndicate, it was not an inn at all. They could even recognise a bounty hunter that the dune enforcers struggled to identify, at first glance.

’Why are they expecting a bounty hunter?’ Neveah thought in concern.

’Veah...careful.’ Neveah’s wolf warned.

"I had to make certain, given as your sword hilt is quite different." The innkeeper added.

"You do not expect me to go around with accessories that scream my identity, do you?" Neveah asked, playing along.

"Of course, of course." The innkeeper agreed.

The innkeeper’s gaze drifted from Neveah to the carriage she had driven here.

"You have company, Sir?" The innkeeper asked.

"What better cover than a lady on my arm?" Neveah asked, she shrugged casually and walked over to the carriage, offering a hand for Tara to step out.

Tara was dressed in the robes of a common woman and she had pulled her hair up into a bun.

She took Neveah’s hand and stepped down from the carriage. Neveah escorted Tara over to the doors of the inn.

The innkeeper watched Tara suspiciously, before his gaze moved to Neveah and he gestured for her to step to the side with him.

"Sir? Is the lady trustworthy?" The innkeeper asked.

"And if she isn’t? What of it?" Neveah asked, unconcerned.

"We cannot have any news being leaked..." The innkeeper hinted.

Neveah surely did not understand what the innkeeper hinted at but she nodded her head.

"Fret not, when the use is done... I will take care of it." Neveah made a bold statement, her hand grazing over the hilt of her sword.

The innkeeper nodded in approval, his grin returned to his face.

"Warm welcome, My Lady. Please, come in! Come in!" The innkeeper welcomed and gestured for them both to step in.

Neveah exchanged a glance with Tara and they both ventured into the waterfall inn.

The moment they stepped through the doors, they were in a large hall that was brightly lit even at this time of the day.

The hall was filled with wooden tables and chairs and there were a few people sitted at the tables with a lone ministrel up on a small stage, playing a low tune.

The inn had two levels, it was not the best inn Neveah had set eyes on but it certainly could not be tagged as a local inn.

Neveah glanced around subtly, but she did not make it obvious. Whoever she was playing as, he had been to this inn before and Neveah could not let on that this was her first time here.