-- Lilith POV, Skyview Monastery, Dining hall --

  The bell had rung 12 times, and as superior Martins had requested, she had joined the monks in the dining hall for the midday meal. It was a big hall with stone walls like her cell and as little decoration overall. The tables and benches were of simple design, but solid craftsmanship. They looked like they were decades or even centuries old already, and she trusted them to last another century or two.

  Very unsurprisingly she found herself alone at a table to the side, while all the other tables looked quite crowded. She had decided to do nothing about that and just wait what will come. People would get used to her, given time, she assumed.

  Under the lead of superior Martins, a prayer had been spoken, and thanks given to some god for the food that they had received today. The prayer had not burned her, but she had done her best to remain as unnoticeable to any godly presence as she could manage, if there should be any.

  Then food has been brought in from the kitchen, and in front of her was now a steaming bowl of stew accompanied by slice of bread and a simple wooden spoon. Stew without meat as she noticed, but it would be nice to eat anyways. Better than the prison food for sure, which too often had been some hard to identify grout. She hesitated to pick up the spoon though. Even after the prayer, no one had started eating yet.

  To her surprise, superior Martins who had been leading the prayer before and who was still standing, rose a hand to gain everyone's attention. Once enough of the brothers were looking at him, be began to speak.

  "As many of you certainly already have noticed, we have a new face among us. Lilith, please stand up."

  A bit confused she stood up. Her horns making her appear even taller than she was already, her tail twitching out of her control, much to her annoyance.

  "To make a long story short, Lilith was called into this world without consent, and the king has decreed her to be exiled. Yes, she is a demon, and dealing with demons is notoriously difficult. She has no place to go though, and agreed to certain arrangements in return to be offered sanctuary here."

  Murmurs rippled through the room, but no one voiced open protest or disagreement.

  "She is under a geas which confines her to this monastery, more specifically some rooms within, which are her cell, the library, the monastery garden and the dining hall. Furthermore she has agreed to work with us, whatever work seems suitable within the monastery. Efforts have been made to verify that the geas has taken effect, but at the moment the only conclusion is that there is an effect, the exact extend remains unknown."

  He paused and looked over the crowd, who remained silent this time.

  "She is on probation. If you meet her in other places than the mentioned ones, ask her about it. If the answer seems unsatisfying, inform me about it."

  He paused once more to let his words sink in, almost all looks were now on her. She tried to stand it though.

  "Our place is actually dangerous for her. Maybe more than she is dangerous to us. It has been confirmed that holy items burn her. This will particularly affect her work in the library. She might not be able to handle holy scriptures, but only mundane books. We will see if this is a problem."

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  He seemed to think for a moment before he spoke again, "She still is a demon. I have tried to put another geas on her, to keep her from doing mischief and trickery, but I could not force that on her. So be wary."

  He then nodded to her, "You can sit down again, Lilith"

  "Thank you, superior Martins", she replied with a bow and sat down, the stew no longer steaming. Hopefully he didn't talk for much longer, or their stew would all be cold.

  "Something everyone should be aware of. She has agreed to be confined and work for us at the expense of us providing sanctuary. If anyone of you, for whatever reason, should attack her, you'll set her free. Do not do that. Instead order her to cease whatever she is doing that is causing a problem. That is what the geas will require her to follow."

  He looked at her directly, "Lilith, after our meal you will report to the kitchen to clean dishes. After that you will report to the monastery garden to see if there is work for you."

  "I will, superior Martins", she complied and bowed her head for a moment.

  "Then, let us enjoy the meal", superior Martins declared, clapped his hands and sat down himself.

  The stew was not bad at all and the bowl had enough stew to be satisfyingly filling. The small bell rang once, then twice to announce half an hour having passed, and the monks began to get up and return their bowls to the kitchen. She decided to follow suit, she was expected to report to the kitchen anyways.

  The bowls were collected in a big wooden trough filled with water, the spoons as well. She stepped a bit to the side in order not to be in the way of anyone and tried to see if she could identify someone in charge of kitchen duties. Soon someone approached her, and she offered him a friendly smile, when she was surprised with a question, "You are a real demon?"

  She raised an eyebrow, having expected instructions how to proceed with the dirty dishes, not the question, but replied anyways, "I guess? I don't remember much of the time before I was summoned and since then everyone called me a demon. If it matters, yes, holy items burn me. Not all. But some sure do. So I guess it's confirmed that I am a demon."

  He seemed to think about that for a moment, "How did superior Martins bind you?"

  She laughed softly, "He explained the rules. I told him that some of what he wants me to do are things I cannot do. I cannot not be a demon. He then changed it, so I could comply to it, and I agreed. It's easy like that. It's not easy to get out of such a geas though, so I would not recommend you to try ... neither to get into one, nor out of one."

  He looked confused, "But why? You agreed to be, like, imprisoned and a slave."

  She tilted her head thinking about it for a moment, "It's what demons do, if you offer them something they value. I've been offered safety in a world where so far way too many people tried to kill me. That's not bad to start with, isn't it? But what is even more interesting to me, holy items burn me less now. I'm bound to a holy place, ordered to work with holy items. So I get some protection from being damaged by them, otherwise I could not fulfill my part of the geas. It's powerful. You won't find many demons who gained tolerance to holy items and places", she smirks and shrugs, "Still hurts. Lots even. But it won't kill me anymore. I've got stronger."

  "I .. I see", he seemed intimidated by the idea.

  Then someone else called her, "Lilith? You'll wash the spoons today. Get a bucket of fresh water and a cloth, then come with me."

  "I will", she nodded towards the one who had called, then faced the monk once more who had asked about her, "Work is waiting for me. Can't let it wait for long. Maybe we can speak some more another time? Do you like playing games? Ah! I must run. See you another time!"

  Now, where to get a bucket and a cloth, "Hello, kitchen master? Where can I find a bucket and a cloth?"