It's gone

"In think it's gone, John." Doe says.

"Gone?" You ask. "Like vanished?"

"No, gone as in stolen. Probably by another prince trying to reach Briar Rose."

"Ah." You nod. "Well, maybe it will work for him and he'll wake her up and we won't really have to do anything."

"I highly doubt it. Without an interloper like yourself weaving the story around him, fate won't allow a happy ending until the chosen hero, the prince in this case, saves the day."

"Even though he's kicked the bucket?"

"Yes." Doe shakes her small bird head sadly. "Fate can be stubborn that way. That's why I needed you to come along."

"What if there's another 'interloper' in here?" You ask.

"Huh?" Doe asks.

"Well, Someone ripped up these books, right? And they had to get out of the library basement before we could get there. Maybe whoever it was jumped into one of these books?" You shrug. "Maybe that's who has the sword."

Doe shudders at the thought. It's obvious she had never considered the possibility. "Hopefully not, but we should watch out in any case."

"Okay." You nod. You turn to leave the skeleton where it hangs and notice a small hole in the thorn growth. You'd have to crawl through it, but it looks like a nice clear path. He may not have given you an sword, but the prince seems to have shown you a way.