Prince Valium (continued)
"I'll take the sword," you tell him.
You figure that with all the briars, you'd need to have something to cut them down with.
"Wise choice!" the old man exclaims, grinning happily and carefully handing you the sword.
"Very wise, indeed.
Now that you have the needed information, and now that you're completely outfitted, I'll continue my journey and leave you to save Beauty."
He packs his sack up again, swings it on his back, and heads off for another direction.
Testing the weight of the sword in your hands, you watch him leave.
Then you look in the direction of the castle, where he indicated.
Oh well, you think.
Here goes nothing.
You head off on your journey toward the enchanted castle.
* * * * *
When you reach the wall of briars, you're glad you chose the sword after all.
The gun would never have been able to get you through all the deadly thorns.
So, swinging your sword, you begin to cut through the barrier.
* * * * *
Five hours later, your arms are sore from the strain, and you have a few cuts and bruises from the thorns and branches that managed to escape the swing of your sword and catch at your clothes and flesh.
Ahead, you see the castle door, wide open and waiting for your entrance.
So you enter.
You step into a wide courtyard decorated with sleeping figures.
To your left is a path leading to an open door, revealing a staircase that apparently goes up to a tower of some sort.
To your right lies the main entrance of the hall, leading to what you guess may be the living areas of the royal family, the kitchens, and other such rooms.
Where do you go first?
