When I saw the enormous wall of briars that surrounded the castle, I stopped dead in my tracks, eyes wide. 

The plant had sprung up overnight, a wall so thick that there seems to be no means of enterance. The scent of the wild pink roses hangs heavy in the air. It's almost choking. Much of the grass surrounding the castle has been broken and displaced by thick green stems and branches. Each one is unusually thick with thorns.

Among the briars there are also bugs. Caterpillars and butterflies and bees going about their normal bug business. Completely oblivious to the unusual situation that they exist in.

I dropped the armful of books I had been carrying, too stunned to notice properly. I raise my hands towards the briars, pausing as I get close enought to almost touch them. I look down at my clothing, a sturdy green tunic and brown pants and boots. Not especially good armor. Probably want more layers to try getting through there. But...

I whined aloud. I crouched down, running my hands through my short hair.

This had to be some kind of magic. Obviously a curse. But a curse on who? And for what reason? Could I find a way to break it? How did people go about researching magic anyway?

"Be nice if there were a simple fix," I muttered to myself. "Curses. What do I know about curses. Has to be someone who caused it. Maybe if I find them..."

I bit my lip. Make them fix the stupid thing. Take it back or undo it or whatever.