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

Me? I was born and bred in this castle. Ma has always bin here and me dad... well never knew him. Ma said he was one of those boys that Lord Rackham trained to be a knight so he is probably dead somewhere. Never knew about me, ma couldn't write and let him know. She can't write, see? Yeah... so he never abandoned me, cause he never knew I was his.

*She sighs and looks up at a portrait of Philomena*

The Princess is very beautiful, ain't she? Never seen her up close until tonight. No wonder Lord Thranmere was so pleased to have her as his bride. He will be very pleased if the baby is a boy.

*The clatter of armour in the bathroom makes the girl start and spill her wine on the floor.*

It sounds like the Princess has returned... will she be very angry with me?

*She falls to her knees and begins mopping up the wine frantically*

I don't know if he was a knight, just that he was here being trained by Lord Rackham when Ma met him.

*Sousie frowns with concentration*

Faya... Layda... Mila... Something like that. I dunno her name, can't remember it. Only ever called her ma. If you said it then I would know it right away. What's it matter to you anyway? Gonna ask her permission to be my sweetheart? She'd say no... Besides she moved to Zoltar with Carados, didn't want to serve Kanarans after what they did to Lord Rackham.

*She looks the little girl up and down*

She needs a bath and to be put to bed I reckon. Not sure you want to do either of those things Master Jet, yer hardly a family man. Maybe wait for the Princess? I don't really care for children.

*Sousie frowns at Vortigern*

You are looking at me like you have seen a ghost. Have I done something wrong?

*She takes the little girl to the table and washes her hands in the finger bowl*

Come on and get some grub down you. No cause to be snivelling, you're the luckiest girl in the world. Safe and warm and in the care of Princess Philomena! Bet you never thought you'd be staying in the room of a princess.

*She hands the girl a sandwich*

You can eat with Master Jett here while I run you a bath. Mind your manners though girl, Master Jett is a very important man around here.

*The maid whispers*

But he can be quite kind really, he won't hurt you.

*She pats the girl on the head*

Sure you will be sent home to your ma soon, full of happy stories to tell or if not you'll find a job here well enough. I weren't much bigger than you when I was sent to work. Princess might even decide to keep you with her, she's very fon of children I hear. Wouldn't that be lucky?

*Sousie shakes her head*

The village is to be left for a week, I heard, to give them a chance to bury their dead and keep the castle clean from disease. Although truth be told I heard that the mad knight Keeler had already burnt many of the villagers so they won't be burying much. Were a good job that the Kanarans came when they did cos they would have thrown all the children in the flames too.

*She looks at the little girl trembling*

Why you are shaking like a leaf in the wind! Princess Philomena is very grand and beautiful but don't worry, she'll be right kind to you. You're small for eleven, ain't you? I was scrubbing floors in the kitchen by the age of nine and only saw me ma once a month after that. You might be lucky, if the Princess takes a shine to you it might be light work for you. Could just be combing her beautiful hair, it's like golden silk it is.

*She pours the girl a glass of water and pushes the sandwich closer to her*

Oh do try to take a bite. You've got nothing to be sad about, Master Jett is going to take care of you.

*The maid smiles shyly at Vortigern*

You will help me? I don't know why nobody knows you are such a good man but you really are! I have no family left here and now you a perfect stranger are helping me out! Another life outside this castle.. you are kind but this is my home. Perhaps you could find me work with the Princess though, I hear she never has her maids punished and is nice to everyone. Be grand to work somewhere that I didn't get a beating if I drop a plate, as I am a bit clumsy... although I will try not to be in front of the Princess.