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

*In the highest room of the South Tower, Niara is held in a heavily guarded room. On her ankle there is an iron shackle and written on the door are the words 'Traitor to family and country'.*

*The scrubbing maid enters with a tray of food and a small glass of wine. She sets it down and glance round furtively*

Madam...

* She whispers*

I have heard that the warrant for your execution has been signed. Derias Avalay has been gloating that you will meet your end in shame and that he has foiled you from cheating him of watching you suffer. The Princess has left the castle and your uncle has decided that your life has less value than her love...

* She shakes her head*

I served your mother well for a decade, I cannot see you hung like a common criminal.

*Fenny has Niara a glass vial*

Tis the Deathstealer... One sip and you die. You can cheat the noose and show the world that Thranmere's always meet a noble end.

*She scurries out leaving Niara holding the bottle*

*Derias smiles as he enters*

You have an overinflated opinion of yourself Niara. The people of Kanara know of your crimes and there are few who express sympathy for them... even in private.

*He looks her up and down*

Are you expecting Kanara to break into revolution to free you? Do you know what the people say about you? That you are a spoilt and foolish child, with neither the beauty of your mother nor the bravery of your father.

*Derias chuckles*

There is only one person who will mourn your loss and that is your uncle.

*He nods to the soldiers, who grab Niara by the arms.*

I just want you to know that your death... it will not be the sad occasion that you think. The people will not rise up... what they say is your uncle is showing weakness by not running you through with his own sword. If it was a risk that the people would turn, then I would not chance it. Do you not think my spy network knows the mood of the people? I floated a rumour about your death two weeks ago, do you know what happened? People shrugged and said that it was always going to happen. It is your death that will protect Kanara and will protect Darl's rule.

*He tips the vial into her lips and forces the poison down her throat. *

I did give you the option of a brave death... but you never did know about bravery and sacrifice. You are too arrogant to be noble. Even your uncle would admit that you were a poor replacement for your brother who would have fallen on his sword rather than betray his family.

*He watches the dying girl writhe in pain*

Poor Princess Philomena... she never really wanted you dead. She was just looking for a reason for separation. But their marriage is essential. Without the union between land and sea, Kanara is doomed to eternal bloodshed. She has just galloped towards her father's castle unaware of what is happening... just a few short hours of freedom before I send a messenger to retrieve her.

Ah Niara, you do not know what things one must do to protect our country. I love Kanara.

*He shakes his head as Niara begins to turn blue *

And I am loyal to your uncle.

*The soldiers continue to hold her although she can no longer support herself*

You should thank me Niara, for giving you that noble death you cheated yourself of... if you are lucky, I may even prevent the men desecrating your corpse...

She did not have the courage to take her own life. If she had stood trial in Kanara, she would have been condemned and then you would have shown weakness by not ordering her execution.

*Derias looks at Darl with pity*

She was not loved by the Kanaran people as she believed. Those who conspired with her, Lord Elkin and his wife for example, only did because they saw her as a path to power. They filled her head with nonsense, because they knew her jealousy of your wife and they knew Niara was close enough to destroy you. Once she had cleared their path, they would have disposed of her too.

*Derias continues in a firm voice*

You asked me to purge all those who would betray and I have. We have known each other since babes in arms, I have never killed without good reason, you know that. You call this murder...

* Derias sighs *

But if Niara had lived it would have led to the death of thousands of Kanarans. You are the father of your people and you must make sacrifices to protect them. I have spared you the pain of killing your niece... as you asked to do a moment ago.

* The man gives a slight smile*

It is not the end of the Thranmere line, I have spoken to your wife's physician... it seems you have given Princess Philomena more than broken ribs...

*He looks at Niara's corpse and sighs*

Your child would have been murdered by Niara before it was a month old. I had to move swiftly to protect your dynasty. Direct your anger at those who filled your niece with poison thoughts, not me. You should thank me. I protected your wife and unborn child... because you lacked the heart to protect them from Niara. She had to die and you have to accept that. Mourn in private if you must but in public you should express your satisfaction that she took the dignified route and committed suicide for her crimes.

I have the courage to speak plainly to you when no other man would.

*Derias takes out his dagger and opens his shirt*

Niara may have had courage on the battlefield, but she was a poor judge of her enemies and yours. She allied herself to those who would have destroyed you.

*He looks at Thranmere cooly*

She would have killed your first born. I had the courage to end that... I did what I did to protect you and your child that grows daily in your wife's belly but if you wish to end my protection, if you doubt my loyalty...

*Derias does not shake as he holds the tip of the dagger against his heart*

Then I will end my life for you. I am your eyes and ears Darl, without me there is black silence.

*His gaze does not leave Darl's*

I await your command. Yet again, I will take a life so you do not have to... perhaps when you hold your son in your arms for the first time you will understand the necessity of my actions.