William's awoke with a start, sweat dripping down his face. He searched the room for the face, but saw nothing but darkness. He checked his vitals, 'Heartbeat, fingers, toes, ne-' "Ouch!" he hissed as he grazed his fingers over his neck. He rose from the bed and started toward the window. William flung the curtains open and was frozen by the view. Hills, hills as far as the eye could see. And the castle grounds were covered in flowers. Off to one side was a small lake, and the other held what looked like a vineyard. To the north he saw a violent storm brewing. 'How cliché' he thought to himself.
Turning for the window, William strode into the washroom. He gazed into the mirrr and jumped at what he saw. Bruises shaped like claws were wrapped around his neck, and a cut slashed across his cheek. "What has happened to me?" He tried franticly to remember his dream, if it was a dream at all.
As she came into the light he gasped. Her face has a smirk on it, as if she were taunting him with her appearance. Long, flowing, black hair that reached her slender waist, yellow eyes that stared into your soul. Between them lay a garnet encrusted on a circlet. Her facial features seemed to be chiseled by a grand artist onto her pale skin. Everything was perfection, until you looked downward. A serpent's tail replaced what would be her legs. Blue and green scales raced from its tip up her torso. Finger's like claws rested against her hips. "You see now the one you call monster is, truly, what you say."
"What are you?" the young man cried out, backing away from the woman.
"Do I frighten you? I told you I was one to be feared. Now leave my presence. I have to make a list of your duties." She turned her back to him and began to slide away.
"At least let me know your name creature!"
She paused for a moment, turned her head in his direction, called, "Guiliaine.", and continued on her way.
William's eyes darted around the room and fell on the silverware on the table. He lunged for in and grabbed a carving knife. "You will release me serpent, or you will not live another day!"
"Are you sure of that?" she cackled. Like lighting she was next to him. She snatched that knife from him and her hooks held his neck captive. "You think I do not know what you are thinking? Slay the beast and the kingdom shall be free. Well, sir, many hundreds have tried before you, and many thousands shall fail as you have." As she spoke her grip grew tighter. "I have seen how men can be, and you are no different! You will be my captive and no one, no one, can save you. You shall live here, you shall work here, and you shall die here. Just like all the men before."
And William lost consciousness.
He slammed his fist against the mirror. 'How dare she do this to me!' He raced back to the window and searched for the latch, only to find none there. The boy picked up the nearest chair and threw it against the glass. Cracks shaped like spider webs danced across the surface, but, as quickly as they were there, they vanished. He swung again, shattering the wood, and the same event occurred. He swung and swung, but nothing more happened. "What magic is this?" he shouted, chucking the debris across the room, and sunk to the floor.
A moan echoed in the room as William went over the events once again in his mind. A sudden revelation came to him, "Father." Where did he go? Is he alright? Where did she send him? That snake. She will pay for all that she has done. He stood and barged toward the door and kicked it firmly. He was slightly surprised to find that it was unlocked, and even more so to find work clothes and an array of horse brushes and a bucket laying outside his room. "I guess I am to assume that these are for me?" he shouted to the dark and empty corridor. Of course, no answer was given, for there was no one there. He debated kicking over the tools and storming away, but thought better of it feeling then pain again in his neck.
William begrudgingly picked up the items and attempted to close the door. Unfortunately, he was unable to due to the force he exerted on the unlocked door. He stormed into the washroom, changed his clothing, and exited the room. He observed that one side of the hallway was lite and the other dark. He followed the lite path, assuming that that was the way that she wanted him to go. He found himself exiting the manor and walking toward the stables. "I thought as much," he pondered allowed. He mentally prepared himself to a day with the horses.