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

Lose his manhood? He could have lost more than that with his stupid behaviour today.

*Philomena looks at Vortigern with fury burning in her eyes*

What were you thinking throwing that knife? Can't you behave sensibly for one minute? I'm surprised Darl didn't kill you then and there...

*She grows pale and looks at the maid*

I need wine.

*Philomena takes the goblet from the maid and drains the cup. She looks at the maid*

Never fall in love. That's my advice. The men in this country are all fools and think that everything can be sorted at the point of a blade.

*She runs her fingers over the green leather journal and her eyes fill with tears. She pulls off the jewellery and throws it disdainfully in a heap on the dressing table. *

Even my beloved Kalvos... he would never listen to me. All men think I am a beautiful fool, to be bedded and then ignored while they play their silly war games.


*Philomena holds out her goblet to be refilled. She gazes at Vortigern as she drinks.*

And I am a weak fool for my love for cold hearted killers.

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*Juna looks uncomfortable*

Madam we are low on wine. I shall go to the cellar and fetch some more. You have had a trying day.

*She curtseys as she hastily leaves*

*Philomena looks angrily at Vortigern*

You meant to kill Darl? Do you listen to what I say at all? I need him. I may not love Darl, he may make me miserable but he stands between me and the High Council. You kill for survival Vortigern, I married for it.

*She paces up and down like a caged tiger*

Passion is not the same as love, it is not the same as a warm heart. I love you Vortigern, I wish to the Zoriat that I didn't but you are like a drug in my veins that I cannot rid myself of... but for you...

*The mermaid draws closer and kisses the man on the lips, he draws her closer to him and runs his hands over her.*

All your love is for my body.

*Philomena pushes him away*

You are not sorry Kalvos is dead. You always hated him when he was alive. He judged you for the path you took and you hated him for it... but he was a good man. A dreamer... yes... and if he had been more of a man of action then perhaps all would not be lost with me.

*She opens a box and brings out a small vial of purple poison*

One day... I will summon the courage to drink this...

*The mermaid puts it down and begins to cry*

But until then I shall remain a prisoner.

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Nobody knows how you feel Vortigern because you never let anyone close to you.

*She sighs and plays with the wedding ring on her finger*

I may not be lost but I am trapped. And what can be done.? If the High Council win this war they will hunt down me and my daughter. If the Queen wins then I am the prize Darl gets to keep as his reward. Peace for Kanara and his beautiful bride to take back with him, that is the deal she made with him. Everyone blames my father, but it was the Queen who willed it.

*She relaxes into his embrace*

If I am dragged across to Kanara, I would not be by your side then... If I left Darl it would trigger a second war, I would rather die than be the cause of so much misery.

*Philomena smiles and wipes her tears.*

The Dudrassa could not be mermaid's tears... mermaids rarely cry in the Dudrassa. I left for Kalvos... and now I am trapped here. He let me sacrifice everything... then left me on my own in this wicked land.

* The mermaid kisses Vortigern sadly*

One day you will leave me and I will be left here alone... Oh this came today.

*She holds out a letter with the royal seal*

It is your pardon from the Queen. At least... at least my marriage to Darl has brought some good to you.

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No. The Queen freed you so you can fight and die for me.... and I will never ask you to die for me. Aren't you pleased to stop running? After the war you will be free..., freer than I will ever be.

*She sighs*

I cannot hide in the Maljoras with you. Do you think Darl wouldn't hunt me down? We would be caught in less than a day, and I dread to think of the consequences. If we run, we die. Horribly.

*Philomena swallows hard*

And Karina is safer where she is. Her life will be better without me. As for Darl... What sort of monster would he be without me? If I left him he would lose all restraint.

*Philomena kisses Vortigern and whispers in his ear*

I wish we could just start a new life but you know that the past will always catch up. I can't spend my life running like you have.

*The mermaid sits down and begins to comb her hair*

I suppose I should be grateful that Kalvos isn't alive, he was so impetuous he would have raised an army to 'rescue' me, regardless of whether I needed or wanted rescuing. It would have been a blood bath.

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It will work by...

*Philomena smiles and pulls the large bolts across the door*

Shutting out the rest of the world, even for a little while. Darl Thranmere cannot walk through a bolted door. We must be very careful, very discreet.

*The mermaid sighs as Vortigern massages her shoulders*

And if Darl comes to my chamber you must behave. You need to leave me to do my duty by him. However jealous it may make you or frightened I may look.

*Philomena turns around and kisses Vortigern, she begins to remove Vortigern's top.*

You must remember that I belong to him. You must go with good grace, forget about me... entertain yourself with a pretty maid to avoid suspicion. You must do nothing. Promise me... you will do nothing to come between Darl and me, regardless of whether you hear me scream or beg for mercy. Pain is... is the thing Darl understands the most and I... must endure it.

* Philomena looks pale and frightened*

Do you understand Vort? I don't want a lake of blood, least of all yours.

*She begins to tremble as she remembers something. She turns away from Vortigern and hugs herself. *

Perhaps... perhaps tonight I should spend the night alone.

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