Forward:
The characters in the story you're about to read are mostly my own brainchildren. You may notice that some of the characters have been used in other stories published at this site; they are used with my permission and are property of me. If details vary from those other stories, I beg creative license.
For being only a piece of fan fiction, I've put an obscene amount of effort into writing it. I've researched the main elements of the story and worked to make every detail fit. Though the story is innocent in the beginning, as Raquel gets older, her life takes twists that demand an R rating. With that in mind, please read this story with caution.
Writing this story has been a matter of getting the words down on paper. I'd like to thank a few people for their guidance: Lauri, for being my partner in crime and editor - if it wasn't for her, this story could never have been possible. Danie, for reading it when I made her, and telling me what she really thought; Cait for her forgiveness and friendship, inspiring me to write it, helping to give some of the characters their personalities, and encouraging me to publish it; Ms. Oliphant for encouraging my creative writing and works with fiction; finally, Tamora Pierce for creating the world of Tortall in which I base this story. Tortall, King's Reach, Corus and any/all other references to Tamora Pierce's books are property of her.
-j.n.