Oath of Friendship

"How long have we been friends, Lord Ricaford?"

"It has been over three centuries, your Grace?"

"And I plan to keep it that way for many centuries until we reach our life spans." Rafa Libera fetched his cup of wine as he offered a toast. "I offer this cup of wine to my friend, Lord Ricaford! May our friendship last longer and our differences be resolved, faster than the pace of a cheetah! To perpetual friendship!"

Ricaford Berry eyed the duke with a gleaming smile. His thoughts were concealed but he responded, "To perpetual friendship!"

'Before we drink these cups of wine, I would like them to be transmuted into potions of friendship whereby we shall be forever truthful and trustworthy and that any malice and intent of betrayal shall render our oath of friendship null and void resulting in the death of the betrayer. So be it."

The Count was momentarily stunned. 'Will this oath make him at greater risk? Who will be the first to betray?'