It took some time for Amanda’s eyes to adjust to the dim lighting inside the palace. She looked around as soon as she was able to see clearly and realized that the whole place is lit up by candle chandeliers from the ceiling and flaming torches on the walls. The interior was vast. It was only the first floor but it seemed like it was the whole building already. The walls are made of stone and Amanda could see that some areas are darker. They seemed to be scorched. The floor that they were stopping on was covered by a thick carpet all over and only a small portion near the walls are exposed.

Despite the interior’s rustic and dinky look, there was no sign of disorder nor of form of dirt or slime. The places looks well cleaned and well maintained. It is quite obvious that someone is living in this place and that the maids are doing their jobs well. Amanda could not help but commend them for that, no matter what kind of god-forsaken creatures they may be. When she looked back at the door that they came in, Amanda noticed what seemed to be the guard. It was by no means human, in fact it was an enormous pig that stood on its hind legs and wore some sort of armor. Based on what she read before, this could be an Orc.

“Orc not know talk human.” The harpy explained as she noticed where Amanda was looking. “Orc mad when human look always.” The harpy added, translating the groans and growls that came from the Orc’s snout.

“Right. Sorry.” Amanda said and turned back towards the large expanse of the room. Amanda started to notice doors along the walls of the palace. On each side were doors opposite each other and by their positioning, could be doors leading to the two from towers. Amanda made sure to note every entrance and door, if she ever wants to have the chance, she needs to find her way into the castle and know every nook and cranny. She needs to find out where the secret rooms are and where they lead to. Castles likes this, after all, should have a couple or so.

At the furthest end is the grand staircase that leads to the second floor. The harpy guided Amanda towards the grand staircase. She paused at the first landing, waiting for Amanda to catch up.

“Not many to see here. Only doors. That door. Basement.” The harpy said as Amanda went up the staircase. She pointed towards a door on the right. “That door. Servant room.” The harpy continued and pointed to another door on the left side.

“OK. I got it. Where are we going then?” Amanda asked impatiently. She wants to get this over with and meet with the Lord of this place.

“You go bath. You wear ugly cloth. Lord not happy,” the harpy said as she went on towards the top of the stairs, followed by Amanda. “Lamia give you clothes. Lamia make you pretty.”

“Lamia? Like the snake person?” Amanda asked, she is hardly surprised now.

“Yes. Snake person. They are pretty. They make you pretty.” The harpy explained. As soon as they reached the second floor, Amanda noticed a narrow hall lined with portraits and knight armor sets. The portraits seem to be sneering and leering at her and she swore she just saw a glint on one of the knight armor’s visor.

“Do these things move?” Amanda said, looking at the armor sets.

“Yes. They move when intruder come. They fight in war.” The harpy explained.

‘Quite convenient. A moving display that can defend your home,’ Amanda thought. She marveled at the size of the portraits. ‘I bet these portraits are larger than the people that they were based on. Except for this one,’ she thought as she stopped in front of a portrait of a big man carrying a club. She noticed that every portrait displays different types of races. Most of them looked human but mostly as just shaped like a human but actually looked more like beasts.

“Are these relatives of the Lord?” Amanda asked, referring to the portraits.

“Some are family. Some are friends.” The harpy answered. She seems to be so happy to be able to explain these things to Amanda.

“Do you have a name?” Amanda asked suddenly. The harpy was surprised.

“Harpy no name.” the harpy answered then went on.

“Oh. I’ll just call you Harpy, then,” Amanda replied, “How long have you been here?”

“Harpy here since small,” the harpy answered while the walked along the halls. There were rooms as many as the eyes can see. “Lamia here. Inside.”

“Oh. Ok,” Amanda hesitated, waiting for harpy to lead the way but she only knocked the door and made the squeak and screeches again.

“Won’t you be doming in?” Amanda said as she noticed that harpy stepped aside to let her in.

“Lamia not friend. Lamia scary. Eat Harpy.” Harpy timidly answered, her legs shivering by just looking at the open door.

“Right. Ok. That is quite reassuring,” Amanda said sarcastically. The harpy only goggled. She pointed towards the room and Amanda did as she was told.

As Amanda entered, she saw a group of beautiful women. They had hairs of varying colors – black, brown, blond, red – but all were flowing like a smooth stream down a hill. They had skin so fair and so clear that it seemed like porcelain. There were no blemished except for the freckles on some of them. Their faces were oddly symmetrical, to the point of being inhuman. What Amanda noticed that was not human at all were their lower bodies. In place of legs were large and long snake-like bodies that slither and curl along the floor.

“Welcome, human,” The tallest and most beautiful of them greeted. She may be the leader. Her voice sounded raspy, like a low whisper but loud.

“Hello(?) so what am I supposed to do now?” Amanda asked. She wants to meet the lord as soon as possible. She wants answers.

“We, my sisters and I, will prepare you for the Lord,” the leader explained. 2 of the lamias – the blond and the redhead, possibly the youngest of them all – slithered towards Amanda, each stood one either side. Without saying anything, they took off the cloth that Amanda had on and pulled her hand, guiding her toward a door at the end of the room.

“Where are they taking me?” Amanda said, now fully naked.

“The bath. They will wash you for the Lord,” the leader answered. Amanda noticed that the remaining lamias were preparing something, clothes for her to wear and cosmetics.

“How many times do I have to be washed tonight?” Amanda mumbled as she remembered the ceremony before she was brought here. The lamia that was guiding her opened the door and steam came flowing from the room. It seemed more like a sauna than a bath. Amanda could almost feel the heat by just standing on the doorway.

“Is the water scalding hot? I am human, you know,” Amanda said to her guides.

“Worry not. A human helped preparing the water,” the red-haired lamia said. Now that she is closer, Amanda could actually see the razor sharp teeth and two fangs inside the lamia’s mouth. ‘Maybe this is what they use to eat the harpies,’ Amanda thought and shivered at the thought. No matter what they are, these are still humanoids, they still look more human, only monsters would such creatures. ‘Well, they ARE monster after all,’ she said to herself as she went further in the bath house.

As soon as she was in she finally saw the enormous size of the bath house. It could easily fit all the villagers and then some. There were different types of baths all filled with steaming water. There were statues of creatures on each corner and there were pillars across the room. Water flowed from the wall mounted statues towards each bath. She has never taken a bath in a place as luxurious as this one. Even the bath houses in the capital is nothing compared to this.

“Come, human. Take the one in the middle,” the red-haired lamia said. They waited for her to move and followed her.

“You said a human prepared the bath for me, right?” Amanda paused and asked the lamias, “is that person here now?”

“We cannot see her. But I can smell her scent. She is by the bath.” The red-haired lamia answered. These girls seems to talk through seniority. Only the older one always answers and talks. “Come now, the Lord is waiting.” The lamia whispered and beckoned Amanda towards the bath.

Amanda dipped the tip of her toes into the water to test it. Not too hot, at least. She slowly dipped her feet and then her legs. She lowered her body until she is almost fully submerged. Only her shoulders and above is visible. The human who prepared the bath for her came closer and Amanda can feel movement behind her. The lamia stayed outside of the water so she immediately knew that it was the other person.

“Excuse me, let me help you wash,” the voice said from behind her.

“Oh, ok. Thanks,” Amanda said as she turned around. Amanda felt the urge to look at the person because her voice felt oddly familiar. She does not want to think that the voice actually belonged to the person so she wanted to have a look. As soon she did, Amanda felt her stomach tumble, she could only do so much to keep herself from vomiting. She felt dread, horror, sorrow, and longing after realizing that the person behind her was the friend that left just the other year.