Climb Down

Deciding not to risk another near-disaster, you take the safe route out and climb down the side of the thorn branch. Like Doe said, there were several entwining stems twirling around the one you were standing on and you can easily make your way down to the ground by hopping from one to another and following it down. You just have to watch for the massive thorns, but it isn't too difficult.

When you finally reach solid ground again, you sigh with relief. it was good to be on grass again. You take a look around and, even though your standing amidst a jungle of thorn stems, you can see past the mess to see large brick walls in the distance. Looks like you made it into the courtyard. Good, that's one less problem to deal with.

You hear a definite flapping noise as Doe comes and perches on your shoulder. "Now what?" You ask.

"Now we look for a way into the castle." She responds. You nod and start to walk through the courtyard, moving in between the massive thorn branches. Eventually, you come to a stop as your eyes take note of the sight in front of you. There is a fountain in the center of the courtyard, and next to it, a boy and a girl. They appear to be running around the circular fountain, or at least that's what they were doing. Now, they seem to be stuck in a running position, as if frozen in place.

"What the hell?" You ask.

"They are paused in time, as is the princess." Doe explained. "Frozen in place forever, never aging and never knowing."

"Huh." You rub your chin. "Interesting."

"Hey, take a look at that, John." Doe points at someting with her wing. Your eyes follow her feathers and, from between the thorns, see the large tower than extended into the sky. Thorn stems had twisted their way around this tower much more heavily than anywhere else.

"I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess that's where Sleeping Beauty's at." You say.

"That can be assumed." Doe agrees. "So what do you want the course of action to be? Scale the tower from the outside or find a way into castle and try the inside?"