On the journey are Darren Shan, two of the Little People, and Mr. Crepsley; they also run into Mr. Crepsley's old friend, Gavner Purl in a way station. The way station is a place where vampires rest while ascending the treacherous path to Vampire Mountain , where Darren and Mr. Crepsley see two broken coffins and vampire blood. Here Gavner Purl jokingly tries to kidnap Darren in the waystation and surprise the party. Mr. Crepsley, alert and unknowing of the man's identity nearly kills Gavner.