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

You think it is a laughing matter that the Princess wept as she was forced to marry a Kanaran barbarian? Too many young ladies are forced to marry brutes like Thranmere and they are not treated well. Regardless of what you think of her race or her father, it is not good to hear of such brutality forced upon any young lady of this realm.

*Lucia frowns*

It was a shrewd move by Carados though. He cannot afford to fight on both fronts and neither can we. I do not think that she will betray her father unless... well perhaps we can get to Kalvos some way. He might be persuaded to help us, if he's still alive that is. I imagine Thranmere has put his assassins out on all Philomena's ex - lovers, I hear he has a very jealous temper.

Ah Lucia my beautiful friend, ever the defender of the victims of forced marriage... Your stance on this must make Lord Montrose feel most unwanted. Carados used his most valuable piece on the chess board, he sacrificed a daughter and gained an army. Can I be blamed for finding a bit of amusement in news that is a great blow to us all? A happy marriage between that mermaid and barbarian would not serve us well, the more united they are the harder it will be to crush them, so while she continues to be miserable, I shall continue to smile. May the Zoriat not bless the union with a child, that would be the worst news.

*He reads the latest dispatches*

Well here is another reason to smile... It appears a corrupt jailer has let Seth Kestrig escape from the dungeons of Zoltar. Ha! They caught the jailer a few miles from the castle clutching a bag of silver, which Carados had melted down and poured into his mouth as punishment. A rather gruesome execution.... just imagine what the Duke of Death would do if we are ever defeated.

*He shudders delicately*
The good news is that Kestrig is still at large and although Carados decimated the Chaos Engine, they are still strong enough to bite back!