Answer her question

Why was he here? The answer was not nearly as straightforward as one would think, and Duncan realized that as soon as he started to formulate his reply.

“As I have already told you, I am Duncan, Prince of the Realm. My exploits these past few days have taken many unexpected twists and turns, and even now I find myself unsure of how, exactly, I ended up here.”

He began to explain how his studies brought him into contact with Felixia and how she enticed him to leave the Palace in search of independence and adventure. He downplayed the times he was taken in by her trickery, and he skipped right over the part where, as a woman, he narrowly avoided getting bedded by his own brother.

The others listened intently as he recounted his adventures. If they suspected he was exaggerating his bravery or abilities as he told about outsmarting the dwarves or facing the tentacle monster, they did not betray their thoughts. He continued, up to the point of parting from Felixia and losing his horse.

“And then I encountered Cassandra, bathing in the river,” he concluded. “The rest is known to you.”

Madam Banntrach strokes her chin, thoughtfully. Despite the steady heat from the wood stove, she remains wrapped in her large cloak. “So you are not here on a mission of espionage or in an attempt by the king to exercise greater influence over our people?” she asks.

“You have my word on that,” says Duncan.

“That also means no one knows he is here, and if something happens to him, no one will come looking,” offers Cassandra.

Duncan silently curses himself for his answer. He has now opened himself up to even greater risk.

“And if we just let him walk out of here, he’ll likely go straight back and tell Daddy Dearest about the scary flesh eaters who kidnapped him,” said Carl. “Mark my words, he’ll have the whole army down on us in a fortnight.”

Banntrach looks at him, steadily. “That’s a definite possibility. But I think he wishes to learn more about who he really is.” She continues to stroke her chin as she eyes Duncan. Making a decision, she says, “I have a proposal for you, Prince. In exchange for your solemn promise that you will not betray this family, I will give you safe passage. You will come with me, and if you agree to help me by performing a service for me, I shall tell you everything I know about you and your family.”

“Wait a minute,” interjects Casandra. “How can we trust someone as devious as this with our lives?”

“Devious!” retorts Duncan. “It was not I who lured anyone into their bed with intentions to devour them!” Like an irritating fly, a persistent memory suddenly started buzzing around Duncan’s brain of the ambassador’s daughter whom he had introduced to her first experience with oral sex. He could still hear her insistent pleas of, “Oh, Your Highness! Will you eat me again?” He banished the thought and refocused on the matter at hand.

“I believe enough deception has occurred on both sides to warrant caution,” says Madam Banntrach. “I propose a Oath Binding.” Seeing Duncan’s puzzled expression, she explains. “An Oath Binding magically enforces a promise. If the promise is broken, the one who violates the trust will suffer dire consequences — generally a gruesome, painful ****. Will you agree to the Oath Binding?”

So many unknowns lie before him. What is this service Banntrach wants from him in exchange for the information about his past? What will become of him if he complies? How can he trust that the Oath Binding is what she said it was?