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

I am not asking you to serve anyone Vortigern. I am
asking you to stay in Stormrock Castle out of love for me. I am so alone.

*She looks sad*

The tavern was a happy place... even we were happy together there once. I remember a time when you were not so bitter and angry. Times when we were alone and you were at peace in my arms.

*The mermaid kisses Vortigern's hand fervently*

Please eat my darling. I shall get the chef to make you whatever you want tomorrow but I do not think the Chaos Engine fed you well, and you need all your strength to recover.

*Philomena looks round the richly furnished room and sighs*

I should be grateful. Many would dream of a life in such a castle... I wonder who Darl killed to take this.

*She gives a little shudder and picks up a coded note*

Everything has a blood price with him... Hmmmm now what does Cydun want? If there is one man I wish dead... enough politics for now.

*They finish eating. Philomena smiles and strokes Vortigern's face*

As for who is in my bed. I take Darl in my bed out of duty and duress... and there are a few more men I take in my bed because they are useful to me... but you Vortigern...

*The mermaid takes him by the hand and leads him to the bed. She slowly starts to disrobe and looks at Vortigern with a teasing smile.*

You are the only one I would have in my bed for pleasure... if you are willing to take the risk?

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*Philomena and Vortigern lie naked together as the suns begin to rise and flood the room with light. Vortigern strokes the mermaid's long golden hair as she listens to his heart beating.*

Well that was... I suppose we had a lot of catching up to do.

*She smiles and kisses him*

And yes... I have always been yours. Even when I was another's I was yours. Even though I am Darl's, I am yours. I always will be yours.

*Philomena sighs and sits up*

We must get up... this must be concealed from the everyone in the castle. After the feast tonight, Darl will want to share my bed...

*She shudders lightly*

He will bring his own guards so you will be off duty. You must go an seduce Juna in the servant's quarters. Or whichever maid you wish to become your mistress. Your life will depend on it... or your manhood at the very least. You must not think about me when I am with Darl.

*Vortigern starts to protest but Philomena puts her finger on his lips.

No no my darling, this is the way it must be. I am Darl's wife, whatever he wishes to do to me you can not intervene. Not when he beats me and not when he beds me... you must not start becoming noble now.

*She kisses him lovingly*

Protect yourself.

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*Ethella knocks and waits until Vortigern unbolts the door. She sweeps in followed by four maids carrying a velvet red gown, a corset, a box of jewels and a pair of ruby encrusted stilettos perched on a golden cushion*

We have come to prepare you for the big event. As you can see Lord Thranmere has been most indulgent.

*She puts a screen around Philomena and glares at Vortigern*

Perhaps you could turn your attention to guarding the door whilst we dress the Princess?

*Ethella strips Philomena down and gently covers her in rosewort lotion. Her hands linger over the bruises*

This one is a perfect imprint of a belt buckle... it's fading now. You must be more careful Your Grace. I am afraid your corset will press hard on these, but you must not upset Lord Thranmere by reminding him... you know how he hates to hurt you.

*She kisses Philomena's bare shoulder and pulls the corset over her waist. Philomena cries out in pain as the corset bites into her bruised skin and is pulled tighter and tighter by the maids.*

Breathe in your Grace, don't you want everyone to see how dainty your waist is? If you cry I wil not be able to tighten it enough.

*Philomena struggles to breathe and the maids guide her to sit down on her ottoman. Two maids work carefully at braiding rubies in her hair, whilst the other two put her jewellery on her hands, wrists, throat and ears. Ethella puts a small tiara on her head and admires their work*

Truly stunning. Nobody could mistake you for anything other than a Princess of Grimney. Not a trace of mermaid.

*She displays the Princess to Vortigern Jett triumphantly*

There... isn't she fit for a throne? One day she will make the loveliest Queen of Kanara and the peasants will drop to their knees to kiss the mud as she passes.

*Philomena turns around and kisses Darl on the lips. She gazes into his eyes.*

Beloved please... Surely it is unnecessary to have him skinned? Can't he just be killed quickly? A hanging or a beheading? You know how I hate the screams of mortal suffering. I am not ruthless like you men, so please so me some kindness and despatch the man painlessly... Besides Vortigern is here as my bodyguard not your executioner, you have people for that already.

*She puts her arms around him and smiles*

I hope you like my new dress, it was very good of you to go to such expense. I only wear it to please you.

*The mermaid turns back and looks at Vortigern*

He must stay in my room, or else another assassin may slit my throat while I sleep. He has a small pull out bed so he can sleep by the door. Like a guard dog. I will not feel safe sleeping in this room alone. What is the point in having a bodyguard if he is not around to guard my body? Please my love...

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I don't want Vortigern to skin that man. I couldn't bear to watch him do that. It's too horrible.

* Philomena is full of angry tears*

He has said he will... that should be enough. He has sworn his loyalty to me, that should be enough. He is a bodyguard not an executioner. You pay another to do that task... I don't want my bodyguard's hands soiled with an executioner's duty. Vortigern is a former knight, you can trust on his ruthlessness.

*She recovers herself and seductively runs her fingers through Darl's hair*

My love more often than not you spend the night discussing tactics with your generals. When we first married, you told me a Kanaran that shared his wife's bed every night is seen as a weak lovefool. Only one night in four do you spend in my bedchamber and I imagine that won't change. I wish that it was not the case but I know the war must take a priority, so I bear my loneliness with little complaint. On such nights that I am alone, I insist that Vortigern guards me. There is nothing unusual in a bodyguard protecting a princess whilst she slumbers. I thought you wanted me safe?

*She kisses him tenderly*

By the way... I know you had a visitor. How is it that you do not bring me Ismail Cydun's head? The man declared our marriage as an abomination of nature and who is the most bitter enemy of my father... you let him walk?

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