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

Oh no... it is her husband's castle and he is called Darl Thranmere... but yes... it is called Stormrock. There was a big parade and we waved flags and someone said that Stormrock Castle was their home. Maybe the Queen give it em for a present?

*She shakes her head at Janc*

He's a naughty man say such words. I don't know what they mean but I know they are naughty.

*Sylvie smiles at Kalvos*

I ope you aint planning to go storming up to Stormrock Castle without having a bath and a shave. You'll give the Princess of Zoltar a right fright! She won't fancy you with that stupid beard.
*The girl giggles*

My sister Gerda had a right big crush on you. She will be so jealous...

*Her face falls*

She would be so jealous.

I don't wants to be broke! That don't sound fun at all. Why did the Princess try to drown you.. did you break her too?

*Sylvie shakes her head and steps closer to Kalvos*

I am going to Dorlich, that's where my gramps lives. He'll take me in. You should come with me, he's a barber. Would make you all smart for the Princess.

*She frowns a little*

Although maybe you shouldn't see the Princess. She's married now and her husband won't be too pleased to see you, will he now? I mean he might worry that you will try to take her away and you can't take a wife away for her husband. They say he is ever so tall, a great mountain of a man, he towers over her so he does.

*Sylvie looks worried and takes Venn's hand.*

You won't wanna fight him, they say he can cut clean through four men with one blow of his sword. Ole armies quake when they see him near and throw down their swords and run away... maybe you should come and live with me and gramps? You could marry my aunt, she's never bin married. She ain't a mermaid but she likes eatin fish.

I don't like it here... I just ran. There was smoke and soldiers and screaming. My ma just told me to run and not look back. So I did. Bad men come through here but I ave been idden up trees.

*She smiles *

And then you was talking and I knew you was the Kalvos from the songs. We loved them songs, me sister especially. She wept when she eard the Princess had got married but my pa said that Darl Thranmere could give her what you couldn't; a throne and that a peasant born low like us could not marry a Princess.

* She looks at Janc warily*

Gramps won't like naughty people stayin. Your friend ain't to use naughty words. Dorlich is on the way to Stormrock anyway.

* Sylvie looks curious*

If Darius Rackham was like a father to you... who was your real ma and pa? Did they die when you was little? Musta been fun living in a castle. If my gramps can't give me a ome, I could come with you to Stormrock. Bet if I told the Princess I was a norphan she would take me in, I think she likes children and she ain't got any of her own yet. She's aving norphan omes built for all the war kids you know. Tender earted my ma said, she cares for the small people unlike most royals.

*The girl smiles*

You shouldn't be sad about the Princess, I am sure she is happy with a rich husband and when you get a bit cleaned up I am sure you will find a nice sweetheart.

I don't know who it was... our village is good, we are loyal to the Queen... I don't know they had swords and they shouted. They pulled people from their homes and there was screaming. There were knights though. Some in black armour and some in gold. Brutal they were.

*Sylvie starts to cry. She looks up at Kalvos*

You don't think they have destroyed Dorlich too? Or I have nobody. You are a norphan like me? That's sad.

*She wipes away her tears with a mucky hand, leaving streaks of grime on her face. *

I think your friend is right. Why would Darl Thranmere be appy to see you? He might kill you! Do you think the Princess still loves you?

* She looks curious*

Why didn't you marry the Princess yourself before? Everyone said you were going to if you won your duel.