The Land of Grimney - The Illustrated Adventures of Cora Pearl, aged 12

Not here to make friends? What about renew old acquaintances? I am loyal to the Queen of the Crested Wave, I have more loyalty to the mermaids than any human. I may be human but I was born at sea and I will die at sea. I can help you retrieve the princess, as long as you don't deal with her too severely. She's still young and has always been foolish.... As you will remember from her indiscretion with me. Still if I remember rightly the royal family of the Aquitaini are never executed and perhaps a few years of house arrest will do her Grace some good... Not that it is my place to comment.

*He bows.*

The knight she wishes to marry is in prison for treason so you have no need to worry about him but the princess knows you are here and will be hard to capture. For the right price I will help... Didn't think that a Dudrassa Imperial Master would ever come to land. What are you getting in exchange for this mission? A higher rank? A palace? The princess herself? What better reward for all your loyal service than the beautiful Lady Philomena!

*The pirate laughs.*

I think the princess would find that punishment worse than prison but I am sure you would find it most agreeable.

Stealing from others a crime perhaps, but not as heinous as murdering the princess's baby. Regardless of the child's human blood, you would be killing the baby of a Princess of Dudrassa. Mena would never forgive you for that, she would never return to the Crystal City if you murdered her child. She loves it now, even before it is born, it is clear to see. I am a ruthless man, but I'll have no hand in killing a child, especially not Philomena's.