“Let Me Explain…”

Prompt: “There’s a princess locked in your basement.”

Okay, look, before you go jumping to any conclusions, let me explain.

It was a bright and sunny day. The birds were chirping and there was a pleasant breeze ruffling my flowing lo—

Hey! Get your hands off of me! Geez, calm down. I’m a storyteller! You can’t expect me to just give you bullet points of this enthralling tale.

Okay, okay! Getting to the point.

Am I totally innocent in all of this? No. Hey, I’m willing to admit it. But I just played one teensy, tiny little part in this whole mess.

Yes, there is a princess currently locked in my basement. And yes, I was aware of that before you and your noble officers so heroically burst through my front door and destroyed half of my antique furniture. But you must know that there is a higher cause, a higher meaning, as to why I am holding this princess captive.

Oh. Ah, yes, I see. So you are already aware of the coup. Hmm, yes, well that does change things, now doesn’t it?

Well, for the small—and some would say, insignificant—price of my freedom, I’m willing to give you the name of the one responsible for all of this. They—

Ah. Is that right? You’ve already arrested them? Well. I’m not quite sure what to say.

Congratulations, good sir, I will admit that you have bested me. But now, hush. Not another word. For although you may think you have me cornered, I am far more cunning than you.

But fear not, good sir, for this is not the last you have hard of Marvellie Ennbrook, witch extraordinaire and master storyteller.