A HENRY STORY 2: Trials Of The Fallen Prince

V. Old Tales

They made good time. The path continued to be smooth and straight, gently sloping downward. It was easy to travel, but Gregor felt like they were descending the throat of some horrible beast, and his unease grew the further they went.

Eventually, they came to a large clearing, shaped in a geometrically perfect circle. Across the way from which they had arrived, three smaller paths branched out from a single point, with equal angles between them. Like they had been measured and drawn with the aid of a protractor.

It was truly a trap meticulously designed to convey perfect symmetry, Gregor thought, eyeing each tunnel opening with unease. Designed by someone. Or . . . something.

"Why don't they just attack us?" he blurted out, not even knowing who "they" were.

"This is not the part that is meant for attacking," said the Death Rider. "Do not concern yourself; we have never been attacked in this place unless we strayed off the path."

"The Vineyard has an outer rim and a core," said Thanatos. "This is not the core."

"It is likely much too straining to use every vine to attack anything that moves when it may as well lure us in." The Death Rider positioned himself in the middle of the clearing.

"So, this place . . . it has a brain or something?" asked Gregor.

"Look at the paths, boy," snarled Ripred. "Do you think they just happened by accident?"

No, they hadn't, thought Gregor.

"I asked the same when I came here for the first time," said the Death Rider. "And the only response I got was that no one knows how alive or intelligent the Vineyard truly is. But fret not." He placed one hand on Gregor's shoulder and the other on Hamnet's. "We should camp here. Here, in the rim, so that they are rested for the core."

Hamnet hesitated momentarily, then he nodded. He positioned a lantern directly in the center of the circle, and they all gathered tightly around it while they ate. Gregor found himself half-tempted to ask what this "core" was and how dangerous it would be, but then he decided he didn't need to know beforehand.

When they were done, Hamnet and the Death Rider exchanged another look. "Someone should scout the paths," said Hamnet. "I know you are familiar with this place, but when have you last been here? I do not wish to be unpleasantly surprised."

"I was going to suggest the same thing," said the Death Rider. "I am actually unsure which path of the three leads to where we must go. The Vineyard occasionally rearranges its layout. Should I go with you?"

"I will go," said Thanatos from the shade. "Frill and I will go with Hamnet, and you protect the others."

"Good luck!" The Death Rider waved, yawning audibly. Gregor inadvertently admired his nerve to be so relaxed in such a horrifying place.

"Fine," Ripred joined in his yawning. "The rest of us can take turns sleeping. And whoever expected me to take the first watch can forget that. I'm spent." He dropped onto his back, stretching his limbs in all directions.

The moment Ripred finished speaking, all gazes flew toward the Death Rider. He eyed them all with a raised eyebrow, then made a face when nobody else volunteered. "Fine. I shall take the first watch." He yawned again. "What the hell even am I—a babysitter?"

"Welcome to the club, lad. My sincerest congratulations," snickered Ripred. "That is exactly what you are now."

Gregor watched them bicker and wondered how hardened they had to be to have enough strength and spirit to do it at this place and time. He was much more worried about whether he could even close his eyes in this hellhole.