Four days of harsh training continued just like that. From dawn till noon I spent my time with knights, from noon till dusk I was working with mages and late nights I spent crawling around (or through) the camp trying to not make a sound.

In those four days we had left the camp twice. As a team we were looking for undead marauders. First, we noticed just a few individuals, usually those that had gotten stuck in the deep mud or had been separated in other, unknown, ways. On our second journey, we found none. Scouts did patrol the special area a few more times, yet reported nothing, and so, our quest was “completed”. Because of that I couldn’t “feast” on anything, and hunger started reminding myself of its presence. After the first night I asked Captain Friedrich (who had known about my hungers quite well) to let me leave the camp and hunt for some animals, yet he shook his head saying that I am too valuable to be left alone, instead, he signed me to help at kitchen for an hour or two per day - my job was mostly slaughtering and cleaning animals before handing meat to the cook. Each day my blade would end the life of few animals, letting me keep my cravings at bay.

After Leading-Commander Nicolai double, and then triple checked if the job was done properly, he ordered to load all belongings on the cart, destroy fortification (collapse wooden walls and towers) before returning to the city which had originally requested the help.

Of course, I did ask why bother destroying walls - in the end similar problem could occur later on, and such a camp could be used by other adventurers or merchants, but, Natasha only looked at me as if I was a dumb kid before answerwing:

“Because, adventurers would use it rarely, only in case of quests around these parts which rarely happen, and the camp needs to be properly guarded and supplied for the merchants to use it. On the other hand, there is a group of people who would take over the fortyfied camp with gratitude - bandits and outlaws. Have you ever led an attack against bandits protecting themselves in a ruined castle? I did. Thrice. Each and every time it was a carnage. For both sides.”

And so, on the morning of the fifth day the entire House marched out, toward the city of Boltward. We reached the city walls late afternoon. The gate, which usually remained only “barely” open, making everyone entering and leaving the city register to the city guards, started opening wide as soon as they noticed the Banner of the House. Every traveler, that would usually be quite mad for being forced to let someone else pass before them eagerly moved to the sides making a clear passage. The people were cheering and waving towards us. Out of blue they quickly started buying flowers from local vendors just to throw them under our feets.

Such treatment was… not something I was used to. Unconsciously I moved a bit deeper into the formation, hiding myself from gazes of bypassers. Natasha seeing this only smirked.

“Alabaster. Even if you are not a part of the House just yet, you still are a cadet of a Lion. As one, you need to carry yourself with pride and dignity, if you really want to join our ranks, start training. Head high, chest forward. Walk proudly… And start getting used to it. Honestly, that’s the best part of this work - appreciation. Feeling of being needed, valid. Conviction that what you are doing is just and serves greater good. Being part of a bigger plan.”

As much as I enjoyed each and every word she said, the last part actually left a bad aftertaste in my mouth. I already was part of a bigger plan. Once. It was enough. But, very quickly my grim thoughts were blown away.

“Mama, who is this big mister? Why does he carry white armor when the rest of the knights wear silver?” It was a small girl asking, pointing at me with her finger. “Hm? I don’t know and I don’t know how sweetie. But he looks really strong, doesn’t he?” “Yes!” “I believe that he wears white because he is so very special!” “Even among the Lions?” “Yes, even among the Lions! With such brave knights around, girls such as yourself have nothing to fear! Mister Knight will surely protect us!” “One day I will also be as strong as Mister Knight! And I will join the Lions!”

That was… something new. To be looked up to. In the village I was the fastest, strongest and the most hardworking. Other parents often compared their kids to me, trying to make them help them more, but all it breed was only a petty envy. This time, marching in this crowd, I was someone’s hero. No forced inspiration. This knowledge warmed a little coldness of my chest and made my body feel lighter than usual.

“Nice, isn’t it?” Natasha didn’t have to guess what I was thinking about. “Indeed… Really nice.” My tone must have betrayed more than I wanted to admit. “Hm? To be honest, I wanted to tease you, you… really can feel proudful?” “Of course that I can, Natasha!... I mean, instructor-commander. Except for lack of flesh I am not THAT much different than you. I am more than just walking vengeance!... Or, at least I hope so. When I think about those who killed me and mocked me before I shut my eyes, my heart burns. When I think about things and people that were taken from me, about the future that I have lost and the woman I was supposed to marry, I feel cold… And feeling this burden of responsibility, actually does make me proud.”

Nicolai’s cousin only looked at me with an uneasy expression. We remained silent for the rest of the journey, till we reached a colossal mansion in the center of the town, right in front of the church and a few dozens meters away from the adventurers guild. The gates to the mansion were opened and most of the House members went in, I wanted to follow my new brothers and sisters, but was stopped by captains and Natasha.

“Not so fast, Alabaster. Each member of our order is both Knight AND adventurer, so, we will have to register you. Follow us.”

I only nodded back in answers, because, let's be honest - what else could I do? The guild was known for its open-minded approach taking in men and women of all kinds, statuses and races, and for protecting them in every legal (and few illegal) ways. I was really hoping that I also would be let in with the same hospitality as other races…

- - - - - - - - - - - - “AN UNDEAD!? HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND?!” The Guild vice-leader yelled at Nicolai, a rather unusual sight for a commoner to raise his voice on a higher level noble. Well, it was a guild’s land and at least here, this man status was higher.

Right now we were standing in one of the chambers on a higher floor of the guild - the inner chambers used for formalities.

“...You were sent to destroy them, not befriend!... Seriously, can you just.. smash its head and pretend this conversation never took place?” “If you won’t change your tone, someone’s head will surely be smashed.” I allowed myself to say it quietly. There was no reason for me to pretend being harmless - because as the adventure I was meant to be the opposite; or to pretend not caring about his words, as that would be seen through right away as an act of trickery. Or, so I thought. “Great! He already threatens me! Here is your proof. Chop-chop, do your thing!” a short man around his forties with a huge mustache who happened to, much to my dismay, be someone rather influential in the guild kept on urging other knights to act. “The reason for the undead infestation in the region was the awakening of an Undead Lord. It was Aster who killed it.” The head of Silver Lions only smiled hearing my words, apparently I did well raising my voice. “For the past few days he had been under constant supervision, not even once he acted violently towards fellow humans. As every undead he does betray certain… needs, toward the living, but he does satisfy them on animals - he helps in the kitchen, killing pigs and chickens.” Friedrich followed after his commander. “Without whining he accomplishes each and every task handed to him by hierarchy. He follows the command chain and works hard, probably harder than any other cadet.” It was Godrick adding his word or two. “Not to mention that without any problems he fights other undead, during one of cleaning patrols he saved one of my girls. He literally jumped on the ghoul and pulverized it into dirt with his hands alone. Poor lass lives only thanks to him. Natasha finished.

Tha man groaned, highly displeased.

“So what, you want me to tell everyone everywhere that right now a walking corpse walks through the guild’s halls?” “I am NOT a walking corpse. Walking corpses are zombie-types lowest tier undead. Calling me one is like calling Leading-Commander Nicolai a mere bandit, Instructor-Commander Natasha as a village wench, or you as a little whiny bitch… Oh, wait, the last one is rather fitting, won’t you agree?” “Fine! Whatever! But if he screws up, you will be the one held accountable!” Vice-leader tried one last time to throw a tantrum “... Can we just sign that creature in and have this matter done?” “Trust me, that’s the only thing we came here for, and you are the one unnecessarily prolonging it.” Captrain Godric smirked with the corners of his lips.

Shorty led me towards his desk, sat behind it and from the lower shelf picked a pendant and a crystal.

“Name?” “Does it need to be a real name, or can be a nickname?” I asked. I really wanted to keep the rest of the House unaware of my true origin, and being named Asteruse made it quite challenging. How many people carried the name of a holy sword? Name that needs acceptance of both king and bishop to bestow upon someone? There surely was a register with names, and someone like Nicolai could easily get access to it. “... I am quite fond of the title I was given. Alabaster Blade.” “ Are you a wannabe hero? How old are you, ten?” “Listen here, you shortsighted, narrow minded waste of air!...” I allowed myself to be raised by my ‘justified anger’ “...I haven’t been a skeleton for my entire existence, just so you know, I am rather - new to the business - if you know what I mean. What I am trying to say, is that somewhere up there the people that DUG THE KNIFE IN MY GUTS WHILE LOOKING ME IN THE EYES are still walking the streets, and I would really like to keep as much personal detail for myself, for otherwise, they might be bit trickier to find…And I really, REALLY, want to hand them over an inivtation for a date with the Mistwalker, so, if you could kindly STOP BEING A PIECE OF SHIT and just do the thing you are paid for, I would greatly-fucking-appreciate-it!”

After a moment of silence, the vice guild master answered.

“Nickname is fine.” “In that case Alabaster.” I followed with a voice no longer filled with anger, even quite polite if I do say so myself. “Class and specialization?” “Warrior. Soldier. Shieldbearer.” “Job?” “Blacksmith’s apprentice...”

He finished filling the documents and later put the crystal and pendant over it. The stone shined and shattered, emitting smoke which flew into the pendant.

“Alabaster I hereby welcome you among adventurers… and so on and so on… we hope you will not shame our associations and act according to our credo… and so on and so on… You start at the bottom, we grant you a copper rank, work a lot, don’t fuck up, and we will promote you, and thus let you do more dirty work on your behalf. Best wishes… and so on and so on.”

He pushed the pendant over the table towards me.

“Try to not lose it - making a new one will cost you, this pendant is your ID, in case you’re broken and smashed and minced and burned and destroyed beyond recognition, that will make our job with identifying your remains easier… Oh, you will also be paid for your work, the money would be stored and the Guild's bank, you can easily access your belongings, as well as ‘pay’ with your pendant. Lots of merchants would honor paying with it. It’s magic, it sends information to the bank about the transaction and transfers your money directly to the vendor. At the ground floor of the guild there is a huge-ass board with quests, you couldn’t not see it. On this board the quests are announced. The quest request contains: The info you need to know on how to do it, possible time limit, minimum rank to participate, and a reward. Sometimes the money is being paid to the guild, sometimes to you, if you are not getting paid do not beat these shits to death, just report it to us and we will do it in your place. Everything clear?”

I wasn’t allowed to answer.

“Yes? Good. In that case go away already, because I can’t stand the stench of the grave.” “Captain?” I asked not really knowing how to behave in such a situation. I could mostly control my emotions quite well, still, my hands clenched into fists. “It is ok, Alabaster, we will take it from here. We still need to report all the details regarding our previous mission and collect payment… and we will make sure that you would get a nice bonus for killing the Undead Lord, maybe Mr. Hexton will give you something nice out of the guild's treasury?” Godrick teased the short man.

It was clear - Hexton, or whatever was his name, clearly wasn’t a liked individual.

“OVER MY COLD, DEAD BODY!” shorty yelled. “That indeed can be arranged…” Ghost whispered from the corner of the room. If he didn’t raise his voice right now I wouldn’t even know that he was in here.

As the situation was getting more and more tense Natasha threw a small pouch with coins.

“Alabaster, the negotiations are about to start and that would be a war even dirtier and more bloody than the one in the Dead Forest. There is no need for you to participate in it. Go to the bar and…” “... Have a drink? Seriously Natasha? Seriously?”

I had my helmet off - for sake of registration, and now I waved my hand under my jaw showing that my head is incapable of holding liquids.

“Sorry, actually forgot about that!” she burst into laughter “... ok, so you can give me back my money.” “On the other hand I indeed haven’t been in a bar for a while, might as well check out on it… I will be drinking booze till I am DEAD!” I yelled heading toward the door. “You should pick milk instead, I have heard that it is good for your… no, doesn’t matter. Have fun.” Friedrich stopped in mid sentence.

I put my helmet on and left the guild. A bar, huh? That was a good one, have to admit that. No, I wanted to go straight to the barracks of the Lion’s House, but, on my way, I stopped. I could have sworn that I had heard something.

Again. There it was. Like a whisper coming from a back alley. Looking towards the source of the sound I noticed narrow stairs leading down, towards the pub in the cellar of some old building. As I was about to resume walking back to the barracks, a heavy wind blew and opened the door to the pub, as if it was some kind of invitation.

I was inclined to trust my instincts, and mine, much to the dismay of my reason, told me to go down.

Somewhat hesitating, I walked down the stairs. As I was walking through the door I noticed an old, weathered signboard with the bar’s name.

“The Devil’s Den.”