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

I don't think they will hurt me... but they may hurt you and there isn't space for both of us. You hide in the alcove and I shall speak with them... I don't want you to get hurt. Oh please... I think they are coming.

*She pushes him hastily into the alcove and turns to face the hunters*

Were you looking for me?

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*Fraxon moves out of the darkness*.

Yes, we are looking for you..... I'm guarding the tunnel, do you think you can get past me?

*He snarls*.

There's no escape princess......

I wasn't trying to escape, I was bored and thought I would go for a walk. You've left me on my own with nothing to do and nobody to talk to.

*She points to the lipstick marks on the wall*

See, I made a note of where I was going so I could come back.

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Think of this labyrinth getting darker and darker the further you go, and you'll find the more ferocious your guardians will become.

*He sniffs the air*.

You alone? Or have you found a little hairy friend?

I'm alone and bored... Where's Willow? I'm fed up of being here, I should be outside in the sunshine not stuck in some dark tunnel.

*Philomena takes a small bottle of rose perfume and dabs it on her wriats and neck. She taps her foot impatiently*

This is ridiculous. You say that you are not my enemy then treat me like a prisoner. I am a mermaid, I need to swim. There must be an underground lake somewhere...

*Philomena looks at the guard demandingly*

Take me somewhere I can swim.

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Willow rode out earlier, and Hood went to find someone named Kalvos, seems that they put too much trust in you to stay put. Guests in my house are always shackled, makes eating them all the more easy!

*He glares at Philomena*.

I'm sorry you are bored, but I don't relish being stuck in here with you either, to put it bluntly I find your fleshy form disgusting. There are plans to move you somewhere more suited to your status tomorrow.

*He grins*.

Perhaps it'll be a fish bond, and you can sit on a lily pad and fish, or do whatever your kind do for amusement....

Well you have a choice guarding me, I didn't choose to be here... maybe they trusted you to guard me better.

*She starts to head back*

I am going to go back to my prison cell... but believe me, I won't forget my mistreatment and imprisonment. I want to go home, back to the tavern with my friends and my fiancé.

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http://themermaidmuse.wordpress.com/

*He raises a flaming torch and guides Philomena down the passageway*.

We are protecting you Philomena, while you are here, no harm will come to you. You have many enemies, but we are your friends. I have not mistreated you have I?

Friends don't tie their friends in sacks and hold them prisoners in dark, dank caves. Yes, by holding me prisoner you are mistreating me.

*She pouts*

I hate it here. Nothing you can say will make it better. I don't want to hide away from my enemies, I would rather die fearlessly and leave a beautiful corpse than moulder down here.

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http://themermaidmuse.wordpress.com/

I never tied you up in a sack. I did not bring you here, I see you as someone that will help us destroy the Chaos Engine.

*He leads her back inside the cave*.

Dank dark cave? This is my home. I can bring you a tin bathtub and fill it with water and you can sit in it if that helps. I would not wish to see such a creature go mouldy.