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

There is no shame in loving someone. You promised on our wedding day that you would see no harm would befall him, why would you say that if you thought he would shame us if he was alive.

*Philomena turns red and a tear rolls down her cheek*

He was a good man. Stubborn and foolish sometimes, and maybe Vortigern was right about him neglecting me but his heart was always on the side of good.

*She wriggles against Darl's embrace but his grip becomes tighter*

Expressing your love... You lie. You know what you have done to me is wrong. You ignored me when I pleaded for you to stop, you have made my body black and blue and held your hand over my mouth to stifle my sobs... and afterwards you always send me expensive gifts to assuage the guilt of my debasement. You cannot beat me into loving you and you cannot buy my love.

*She fights back tears and takes a deep breath.

Darl, what do is to punish me for your own failings as a husband not because you love me...

*She hangs her head*

And I am here because I know that our union is essential to liberate the people oppressed by the High Council... I will raise our son to protect the different races of his subjects, I will teach him how to rule with kindness... I will place the crown on his head, you will merely put the sword in his hand.

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*Philomena draws the dress around her and glares at Darl*

Yes you are the man I married and you are a brute. You treat me as if I were a girl whose town you are pillaging, not a wife that you love.

*She looks at the dress*

Another gown ruined... ring for a maid, I need new clothes at once. I am not going to dine with you in a torn gown.

*Philomena looks at him with disdain*

Not a barbarian? A civilised man would not have treated his pregnant wife in such a way. I should have fled to the ocean and never let you see your son but I keep my word... unlike you.

*She struggles to her feet*

You swore you would not harm Kalvos... but now you say you would. Perhaps you lied when you said you had nothing to do with his death, perhaps you ordered your men to kill him? What a fool I am... I thought you had been so kind to me in my grief.

*She backs away from him*

You always break your promises, you always lie. You are a bad husband and a bad man. Your feeling is shallow. You would murder a man you did not know because he once loved me, but you would not execute your niece who planned to have me and your unborn son killed. Instead you leave it to Derias to protect me and then punish him for succeeding! You are weak and cowardly and you are incapable of showing love

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*Philomena glares at Darl and picks up her husband's blue silk robe that is embroidered with the Thranmere crest in gold. She slips it on and ties the belt around her waist*

I dare to tell you the truth. Talk about your Kanaran rights all you want, this is Grimney and I am not your property. I am your wife. You were raised a Kanaran warrior, I was raised a Dudrassan Princess and I will not be slave to anyone let alone my husband.

*She sighs and strokes her stomach*

I said I should have fled to the ocean... but I keep my vows to you even though you break yours. I am here by your side and I will do as my father wishes... I am a mermaid of honour.

*The mermaid looks confused*

What has Vortigern got to do with this? I cannot see how him being my bodyguard humiliates you. And if you want to talk about humiliation... look at me!

*A tear rolls down her face*

You rip my dress from me and pin me down... do you care nothing for how you shame me in front of the servants?

*She trembles with rage*

I question your love for me every day.

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*The two maids knock on the door. Lindella is carrying the tray of soup and Fenny carries a spare dress. They enter timidly and Fenny spreads out the spare gown on the bed, smiling at the blushing princess.*

Thank you Fenny, thank you Lindella. It was thoughtful of you to bring a fresh gown after my long journey.

*She slips into the new clothes*

Fenny, I would ask you to find Vortigern and ask him to escort me to my chamber after I have dined with Lord Thranmere.

*She nods to them both*

You may go.

*The mermaid watches as the maids leave and seats herself at the table. She smells the fish soup and pushes it away untouched *

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*Philomena's expression softens*

Darl... I was never... our marriage was supposed to be a bond between allies not... not a love match.

*She places her hand on his shoulder*

I am sorry you have suffered such loss but ruling me with an iron fist is not the way to keep me. I am a mermaid, used to the freedom of the seas and you keep me like a wild bird in a cage.

*Philomena looks out at the smoke and sighs. She takes a small mirror off the wall and places it on the table so it reflects the moonlight.*

You need to know what your enemies are doing. Give me your hand.

*The mermaid leads her husband over to the mirror and holds his bleeding hand so the blood drips on the glass. She murmers a chant and the blood sinks into the mirror first turning the surface red and then showing the images of flames.*

Take a look Darl and tell me what you see...

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