Summary- Imagine everything was backwards… Alanna and her family were paupers in the city of Corus, forever looking up at the palace and wishing. Jonathan wasn't Prince, just a noble training to be a knight. (I'm heading towards an A/G fic, I hope)

Disclaimer- Any character used here that appears in Tamora Pierces novels is hers and only hers. I only own this twist on the story and any characters I choose to add. I know we all feel like we know so much about Tammy's characters that they are ours too… but for legal purposes… :[

A/N- I tried to do Thieves Cant, but I'm not very good at it… sorry

Another carriage slowly rolled into the palace grounds, pulled by majestic horses and lined with jewels. Anyone who had lived in the city for more than a day knew how fast they'd disappear. Alanna didn't join in the scurry. Instead she just sat there, imagining the person inside and all they were to learn. Knighthood, that was all she dreamed of.

Thom dived into the mass of people, his pocket knife ready. His size gave him an advantage as he ducked under legs and twisted away from grasping hands. Quickly he dug his knife into the edge of a roughly cut gem and ran.
"Check it out!!" He grinned as he opened his hand to show his pickings to his sister. She gasped and quickly closed his hands again. She led him through the crowd that had gathered and straight into the door of the Drinking Den which was the home of the Rouge. She was smaller than her brother but had her hair cropped short, and instead of a dress, like most young girls, she wore patched breaches, so even her twin didn't feel embarrassed being led by a girl, not one that looked like a boy.

"George!!" Alanna yelled as she entered the busy bar, checking constantly behind her to see her brother was looking after his prize correctly, and constantly slapping his arm when he had his hand open. She led him up the stair cases to the top room, and knocked 3 times, hard and sharp. She yelled out again, and a third time, before pushing hard on the door and letting herself in, her brother still unwillingly in tow. Seeing the Rouge lying asleep on his bed she headed for the half full water pitcher and dumped it straight on his face. Then she ran away.

The rouge Jumped up quickly sighting out one of his many knives. He looked around the room, and Alanna sensed him using his gift for the rest.
"Hello?" he called, strong but tentative, walking slowly into the entry of his quarters.
"Uhh, sorry…" Alanna bit her lip, Thom cowered behind her. The huge man started to laugh.

"You'd have ta be mighty game to wake me up without reason. What ye got f'r me?" He waited expectantly as Thom opened his hand and pushed it towards George. Alanna finally let go of him, and moved off to sit on one of the hard chairs around the table for 3. Thom, being suddenly exposed, opened his eyes wider in fright ad bit down so hard on his lower lip it began to bleed.

"Nice work kids. But we have to be careful sellin' this, sit down, grab ye selves a drink." Thom obliged, to afraid to say anything back. Alanna, who was already sitting, grinned up at him and poured both herself and her twin a glass full of the substance in the nearest bottle. Alanna sipped it and reached, but placed it back in front of her and smiled.
"Well, while ye're here and comfortable, do I have news for you Miss Alanna."