Touché: touched by opponent's rapier in fencing.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of Tamora Pierce's characters. The plot and various scenes were inspired and based upon SnowTigressJO and Shiro's ideas.

As for the story itself – it is one of my experiments writing sarcasm and humour through first person narrative. There are no 'roller coaster' conflicts or obstacles – but simply Alanna battling against her mind, struggling against her emotions. I have written too many angst stories, that this time, I just want you to relax and enjoy while reading. Hopefully, I've achieved my aim, hm?

To note: Alanna's personality may be slightly out of character. After all, I can't reproduce a person's inner thoughts, can I?

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Now, without further ado, I present… chapter one. :)