Allisse woke up to the sound of her grandmother coughing. What was she doing sitting in a– Oh no! She’d fallen asleep! She had only intended to sit down for a few minutes’ rest. "Be there at the Alabaster Inn before sunrise," she’d been told. "If you’re late, you’ll never get hired." It was still dark out, but she could hear birdsong which meant the dawn was not far away.

She lit a rushlight and hurriedly got a cup of wine for her grandmother out of the cabinet. The herbalist said beer or wine only, no water, or the sickness would get worse. She set the wine on the nightstand next to her grandmother, and left before the woman could rouse from her sleep. This was the person that pushed through so much pain to raise Allisse these last ten years. If Allisse stayed to repay that kindness, she’d be late. If she was late, she wouldn’t get the job. And without a job, she wouldn’t have the money to buy the medicine and her grandmother… No. She needed to get going, and fast.

Allisse put her dress on over her kirtle, quickly tying the strings in the back. In the dim light of the burning rush, she could barely see her reflection in the broken mirror. Her hair was a mess, her dress needed mending at the hem. Should she risk being late, or risk showing up slovenly? Either would probably keep her from getting the job. She split the difference and ran a brush through her hair quickly, her scalp aching with the sharp tugs. More than a few strands remained in the brush. She took a second glance in the mirror as she tied the ribbon in her hair. She was too thin, her hair a dirty blond, and her teeth a bit crooked on the left side, but there was nothing to be done about those without a good deal of magic, and she’d never have access to that.

She was out the door in a flash, and a wave of stench hit her nose. A sickly mule was pulling a cart full of privy contents. What the alchemists did with that she didn’t know, and didn’t want to know. It was just one of the many horrible scents those arcane tinkerers brought to Skinner’s Row.

She dashed between beggars getting up to take the prime begging spots, past the occasional workman making his way to the finer parts of the city for better work, work that still didn’t pay enough for them to live in that part of town. A line of worn, ragged people stood outside a dark building, waiting for whatever the magicians were going to do to them inside. They'd come out with a silver piece and looking like death had caressed them with his scythe. Before she’d heard about the opportunity at the Inn, Allisse had thoughts about joining that line of the desperate. But now she didn’t have to, at least if she got there in time.

Allisse passed over the Marshall Way, which meant she was no longer in Skinner’s Row but had crossed into Market Plaza. The air was now filled with the smell of rising bread and baked rolls, reminding her that she hadn’t eaten since last night. Or was it yesterday afternoon? She was pretty sure she’d had breakfast, at least. Regardless, she didn’t have any money left, so that eliminated the temptation to stop and get something.

The sky was starting to show hints of pink, and she had to slow to a brisk walk, a stitch forming in her side. A few enterprising merchants were already getting their stalls ready. One of them called out to her, trying to interest her in some baubles. At one time she might have given him a courteous wave. Now, she just moved past.

She made her way through Market Plaza to the wall. She’d heard that this wall once marked the edge of the city, many centuries ago. Now it marked the divide between Market Plaza and Castle Square, the centermost section of the city that was neither a castle, nor square. A pair of guards stood at the gateway, eying passersby. They stopped her, and she froze. She’d heard the watchmen here weren’t like the ones in Skinner’s Row, that they actually enforced law and couldn’t be bribed. But she wasn’t sure she believed it.

“What brings you into this part of the city, miss?” said the human watchman while his half-orc partner stood silent and imposing.

“Please, I need to get to work,” said Allisse.

The human waved absently as a carriage passed by him beyond the wall, then he turned back to her. “You know we don’t allow beggars in this part of the city,” he said.

“I’m not–”

“Whores neither,” he replied.

“I’m not a whore!” Allisse shouted, startling the gentleman and his wife that were striding through the gate.

“Look, miss,” the guard said, “you obviously don’t belong here. I don’t know what you think you’ll be doing here, whether it’s pinching coppers from the godswell or some other mischief. But we don’t have no patience for roguery here in Castle Square. You’d best head somewhere else.”

“I’m working as a page at the Alabaster Inn,” said Allisse. The guards stopped for a second, surprised.

“You’re not wearing their colors,” said the half-orc.

“It’s my first day,” she said, hoping it was true.

The half-orc turned to his partner and muttered, “If we mess with one of Marcaveus’ people…”

“She’s probably lying,” said the human guard, not entirely sure of himself. He turned to her. “You can go through, but if we find out you’ve been up to no good, it won’t go easy for you.” He motioned over his shoulder and she darted through the gate. Inside, the pale blue of the magical lamps was competing with the orange rays of sunlight that were just starting to creep over the city walls.

Her feet took her faster and faster, darting between carriages and past servants, toward… where was she going? She stopped to catch her breath at a food cart.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

“Hello miss,” said the elf manning the shop. “One silver for a kebab and two…” He stopped, realizing she wouldn’t be paying for anything. And rightly so. One silver for a snack! She and her grandmother could eat for an entire day on half of that.

“Which way to the Alabaster Inn?” she asked.

“Two streets down, take a left, and it’s the big house done in black and white. Nothing else like it. But, I should warn you, they don’t take kindly to riffraff.”

“I’m not here to–” Allisse started, then stopped. Why bother? She ran on, two blocks, took a left. Now where was it? Tailor, jewelry shop, taproom. There, that had to be it! Pure whitewashed walls with ebony framing, a magnificent garden out front, and massive windows on every side. And there, subtle under the eaves, was a sign that read “The Alabaster Inn” in crisp, clear writing. Allisse slowed to a walk and came in through the open front door.

The inside was warmer, brightly lit, and done in mahogany and ebony, with gilt trim. Wait, actual gold? It looked like it. An elegant candelabra lit the room, showing the paintings off to great advantage, and she looked briefly at the benches on either side of the door. Should she wait here or go further in?

“May I be of assistance?” said a voice, in a tone that made it clear he could not be of any assistance whatsoever.

She turned. Walking into the room was a half-elf rosening up a violin, wearing tailored white on black livery, peering at her through his blond hair with piercing green eyes. A rapier hung at his side, but he made no motion to grab it.

“I’m Allisse,” she said nervously. “I’m the new serving girl here.”

The half-elf took a deeper look at her and gave a slight bow. “I am the one they call Lupin Albivale, a greeter, musician, and general source of charm. The master will be embracing the day’s rest soon, so we’d best meet with him posthaste.” He began walking briskly through to the dining hall, motioning her to follow. And she did.

“The master must keep late hours. I’m surprised he wouldn’t stay awake to tend to the guests.”

Lupin chuckled, then stopped at the doorway. “They didn’t tell you?”

“She told me a few things. What should she have told me?”

A deep voice from up the staircase called out “Allisse, you are needed upstairs.” Something about the sound made her feel warm and trusting, even as a small voice inside her screamed to run away as fast as she could. Her gut wrenched, her hairs stood up on end, and she knew that whatever was up those stairs would mean her doom. And yet, something else, something outside her, told her it would be okay. That being devoured alive would be what she was meant for, would be what she wanted.

“I mean you no harm, child,” the voice continued. “Come up here.” Then she was at the top of the stairs. She vaguely remembered climbing them, but she hadn’t decided to do any of that; it just happened.

In front of her was a man dressed like a lord from over a century ago. She would have said his outfit was black, but that wasn’t quite right. It was filled with many pieces, each a different shade of darkness, so that you could discern patterns and decorations, clearly seeing the elegant embroidery, even in the candlelight. The man’s pale complexion, long canines, and overall demeanor made it obvious what he was: a vampire. There weren’t any undead allowed in the city. The only exception was… “You’re Marcaveus,” she said.

“Yes.” said the vampire, “Is there some reason this bears commenting?”

“I just… I wasn’t expecting…”

“I am the owner of this establishment.” He saw Allisse’s confusion and asked “What did Elizabeth tell you about things here at the Alabaster Inn?”

Elizabeth, who was Elizabeth? “She’s the cook?” said Allisse. Marcaveus nodded. “She told me there was work, that they needed someone quick, that the pay was good, and that...” Allisse struggled to remember. “She said ‘a young girl like you with a lot of diligence can make something of herself at the Alabaster Inn.’”

“Indeed.” There was a pause, and for the first time Allisse noticed the skeletons in the background. Stripped clean of flesh and coated in a gleaming metal, they were scrubbing walls and doing other chores. There had to be seven or eight of them. She started to feel nervous about them, but that didn’t make any sense because there was a vampire right in front of her, and he could kill her before she even– “I’ll explain in detail” said Marcaveus, jolting her out of her thoughts. “Thinneus, you should listen as well,” he said. Allisse followed his gaze to a boy about her age. No, she was sixteen. She was an adult and that meant he probably was as well. Thinneus was eating a pear and seemed not the least bit concerned that he was surrounded by dead monsters who hungered for the life force of the living. He was dressed in blue and teal and the clothes that, while not fit for castle square, were not nearly as shabby as hers. He moved from a casual stance to showing more attention to Marcaveus, who began speaking.

“The Alabaster Inn is my humble attempt to create a paradise on earth that allows those who bear the greatest share of the world’s burdens to find a place of rest and restoration. This inn will be a home to many who long for the finer things in life. But it is also your home, where you will be provided with lodging, food and drink, clothing, and all things necessary. You will find our patrons are people of means who are willing to pay graciously to get the very best, and their generous tips will prove a fine compensation if you are willing to work hard while keeping your smile.”

He examined them carefully and continued. “At this inn, we have various permanent staff who are responsible for their own areas. You are pages, and work from sunup to sundown. As soon as night falls, I and the night staff will take over the running of the Inn. But while the sun is out, you are expected to handle all duties not carried out by the day staff. This involves a handful of varying tasks around the Inn, but it also means attending to the patrons here and running errands on their behalf. I expect you to not only handle their requests, but to anticipate their needs and take care of any concerns they might have before they even think to request your assistance.” He paused, making sure this sunk in.

“However, there are limits. Any offense committed against you is an offense against me. Any violence against your person or property, even so much as a threat, bring it to me, and I will rectify it.”

Allisse nodded and Marcaveus continued. “Your next step is for both of you to get your livery. We have a standing arrangement with the Silk Spool down the street. They will outfit you and send me the bill.” He held out a piece of paper, which Thinneus quickly took with a slight bow. Marcaveus said “Your main priority is to care for the guests, but these tasks also need to be done by nightfall. You can read, can’t you?” They both nodded. Thinneus pocketed the paper without even looking at it, and said “Consider it done.”

Marcaveus stood and his skeletons moved with him in unison as they all headed toward the stairway. “I will check in on you again come nightfall,” Marcaveus said, “And I will hear from the patrons and staff as to how you performed. I expect a good report.” He then disappeared into the room below.