The shock that the residents of Harfort's estate employees got was indescribable. A strange looking undead stepping out of the carriage that their masters came. Some screamed while the guards pointed swords, but lowered once given the command to do so. They sat down in a large room, sitting around in a circle, talking about his reward. The father was still unhappy, but that didn't interest Isaac, for he was only interested in something else. 

Elenore: So, Sir Isaac, shall we discuss your reward?

Isaac: I think it about time we discuss the matter at hand, yes. 

Gregory: What do you want as a reward? Money, a patch of land, job?

Isaac: Well, I ain't interested in none of that. 

The family seems surprised by such an answer, normally people would want copious amounts of cash as a reward. 

Isaac: You see, since I'll be traveling a lot and dealing with the folk that might wish to cross my path would be tedious. So I was wondering, is there some kind of token that yall could give me, as a sign that read, "Hey, this person is trusted and ain't a demon or a monster."? 

Elenore: Like a token, so that you could show of to others that you aren't dangerous? 

Isaac: Precisely, pendant, patch. Anything honestly, just so that I could travel freely. 

Gregory: I...I guess we could do that. It's just.... That caught us of guard so much. 

Isaac: Yall were expecting for me to request a lot of cash, didn't you. 

Gregory nods. 

Isaac: Well, normally, someone would request such things, but I am neither normal nor do I need large amount of cash. And I forgot, could I get a horse? 

Gregory: What kind? 

Isaac: Just a traveling one, doesn't have to be bred for battle. 

Gregory: That can be arranged. We do have a stable with a couple horses. Do you want to come with me to look at them so you can pick out one? To waste time until your reward is ready. 

Jade: Can I come with you? 

Gregory: I guess, so, you coming Isaac? 

Isaac: Lead the way. 

They walk out of the house, the three of them, and head towards the forest. After a brisk walk they finally reach another part of the estate where there is a large fenced out ranch and a stable. Inside, there are plenty of horses to choose from, all if varying shapes and colors. Walking around Isaac examines each one thoroughly, exchanging some words with Gregory and Jade along the way. 

Isaac: I gotta say, yall have quite an impressive collection of horses. They are all pretty and magnificent. 

Gregory: Thank you. We collect them mostly for the kids, so that they could ride them out. Each steed is a person of their own and as a royal being, one must respect them so that they would respect you.

Isaac: True on that. 

As they pass one of the pens Isaac looks back into it. A sickly looking horse, as if it dances on the brink of death. 

Gregory: Oh, that is, well, we actually haven't given it a name as we never really bothered to give it one. It always looks like it will die any moment. Most of our trainers call it 'The Mean One'. I guess he often is aggressive with them. 

Something in Isaac's inner mind calls out to this beast. Something tells him it isn't dying and a unknown force calls out to Isaac to choose this horse. He opens up the pen and walks inside. 

Gregory: He is dangerous, watch out? 

Isaac: Well. 'Ello there horsy. There is no need to worry, I ain't gonna hurt you. 

To the shock of both Jade and Gregory the horse steps forward. It's pale skin is not a testament of illness. Slightly lowering its head to Isaac allowing him to pat it on the head. To the surprise of even Isaac the horse starts to be riled up. Letting out a gut wrenching screech, scaring the other horses in the stable. Before their eyes, the horses skin goes completely pale, a sickly green skin. It's eyes completely turn white, contrasting to the darkness around it's eyes. It's teeth turn more into predatory sharp teeth than that of a normal horse. It soon calms down however, and simply stands there. With an unnatural instinct Isaac jumps onto it's back and breaks through the pens door and onto the ranch to test it. Going for a little ride. The horses hoofs thud on the ground with each hit, it makes strange hollow noises. It is like a horse that death rides into battle and he is it's pale rider. Both of them are freaks and it seems thanks to that, they have this strange connection. After ridding for half an hour or more, getting a good feeling they finally stop where Gregory and Jade stands. They look at the horse at unease. 

Isaac: Oh, don't worry, he ain't dangerous. Isn't that right, Palegrim. From today and on, your name is that, my steed. Shall we head back? 

Gregory snaps back to reality. Unsure how to really feel about what is before him. The horse is clearly not a normal being, more of a freak, a monster of some sort. And for Isaac to tame it so quickly, something had to have clicked between their energies, or souls even. 

Gregory: Y...Y-Yes, let's head back. 

Isaac trots side by side with Jade and Gregory as they head to the mansion. This time silence is in the air, not a single word is spoken. As they finally reached the mansion outside stood Elenore with Meredith and upon laying eyes on Isaac and his horse they were shook. The steed so sickly pale, so dark and ominous, it's breath leaves a mist. Standing tall, it emits this powerful aura just by itself, but strangely, it compliments Isaac. Elenore steps forward, holding a small box. 

Elenore: Here, this is what you have requested. 

As she opens up the box, inside it is a medium sized token with their crest on it, made out of silver. As Isaac jumps down the horse he takes a hold of the token. 

Elenore: That should entrust you in your safety, most folk know of our house. We are a Marquees family after all, our status is rather high in the social class. If anyone causes you trouble, please do show them that, they should recognize it. 

Isaac: I am grateful for such a beautiful reward. I guess this is where we part our ways. 

Gregory: Are you sure you don't want to stay the night on our estate? 

Isaac: I would rather not cause more trouble for you than what was needed. Plus, I got to go and travel, see the rest of the world. 

Gregory: Very well. Well, I thank you once again for saving my family. I do wish you best on your travels and be sure to kill us some more criminals. 

Isaac: Oh, don't ya worry about that. I am more than happy to kill bastards. I do wish your family good luck and best of health. May our paths cross once more, but this time in a more, 'normal' setting. 

Gregory: Yes, let us hope. 

Isaac: Ya gotta train your guards more, they were pathetic. 

Gregory. Noted, I noticed it too.

With those words Isaac jumps onto his horse, putting the token in his pocket. Giving a slight nod he rides off. To where, he himself doesn't know. Where the road takes him, where destiny chooses for him to end up. 

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.

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Screams of women and children echo out through the night. A small village burns, attacked by a horde of goblins. Only a few men are real warriors, holding of what they can, the rest grabbed whatever they could, a scythe, pitchfork, hoe, whatever that could be used as a weapon and started defending their loved ones. The goblins are small barbaric things, that prey on other species and use their females to breed and increase their populations. One person works harder than the rest, a young witch, fends off as many as she possibly can, supported only by a couple of villagers. As all hopes is slowly becoming lost and dread starts to settle in of being captured a demonic screech pierces through the air. It could be felt not on the body but on the soul. Even the goblins stop and look to the source. Then, shortly followed are strange crackles, not of lighting but something stranger. Isaac galops through the crop fields, shooting goblins as he passes, leaving only clouds of smoke and body in his wake. They make multiple passes, even the horse tramples some of the small bastards. Both of them enjoying the carnage around them, he laughs while the horse screeches. Shot after shot he keeps on shooting, some miss, but most don't, goblins fall one by one. They are simply too quick for them to be overrun and even when some arrows did hit Isaac, he didn't care as it would take much more than a couple of crude arrows to take him down. Isaacs distraction is exactly what the village needed to gain an upper hand. They take this opportunity to strike back at the confused and distracted goblins. The goblins, being stupid and barbaric try to strike back instead of retreating. But such a decision is met with tragic losses as they are simply being run thin and their numbers advantage begins to dwindle. After almost their entire raid horde is exterminated they decide to retreat. However, for Isaac, that is even better. He enters pursuit, shooting them in the back as they try to helplessly run away into the woods. But some manage to escape and Isaac isn't stupid, he isn't going in pursuit in terrain he knows they have an advantage in over him. Stopping just outside of the forest he turns around towards the village and slowly trots to it. Bodies lay all around him, goblin and human alike, their blood seeping into the soil. 

As he rides into the small village they were probably expecting some kind of human or elves hero. But instead, they see a dried out undead on a horse that by itself instills fear into the very bones of a peasant. Everyone immediately tenses, pointing their weapons at Isaac and his Palegrim. Nevertheless, he approaches until he is couple yards away where he gets off his horse, making his slow approach to the scared folk. The witch looks at him, a fire ball in her hand, but underneath this tough exterior, is a scared person. She looks at this duo, the aura that they emit, it crawls all over her skin. 

Isaac: Now now, yall can put down your weapons. I ain't no danger. 

Witch: Silence, spawn of darkness. Take another step forward and I promise, I will burn you to ash. 

Isaac: These lands have a strange way of greeting a hero, don't they. Hahaha. I save your asses and this is how yall still welcome me. 

He takes another step forward and notices the witch pulling back her hand, getting ready to throw her fireball. However, before she could do that, he quickly pulls out his revolver and shoots her in the shoulder. She screams in pain and everyone else in fear and shock at such noise. 

Isaac: Now, are we going to put down our weapons? 

The witch holds onto her shoulder. The rest of the men, looking at their options begin to lover their weapons one by one. 

Isaac: There, that wasn't so hard. Now, I would advise yall burn the bodies or else disease will spread. 

The villagers look at each other then run past Isaac, leaving only a few more armored and armed ones. The folk start to gather up bodies and throw them into piles so that it is easier to burn. 

Isaac: I suggest you first take care of the witch and then we can talk. I'll be waiting by the well, that is where you can talk to me once that is finished. 

They quickly tend to the witch, pulling her away into a house. He takes a seat on the wells edge, taking a moment to relax, to brush Palegrim. While he ain't no hero, he definitely ain't no villain. Life in this world is much more interesting than his past one, that is for sure.