A/N: I'm back! And guess what? Having just had my birthday, I am now twelve!

God, I feel old. Here you go, then.

Alanna was walking determinedly towards the courtyard, head held high, flanked by Cyth, Sandry, Daja and Tris. Briar had gone ahead of them, 'to get a good seat'. Alanna was dressed in leggings and a shirt of a golden tan and a tunic, the least restricting one she had, of a slightly darker shade. Her hair was swept back into a haphazard but strangely elegant ponytail, and she had dark leather sandals protecting her feet.

The group of girls were waylaid before they reached the destination, though, by a red-faced and incredulous Gary. He folded his arms, leaned forward, and stared at Alanna.

"You aren't seriously going to do this." He stated flatly. Alanna affected surprise that he would even ask.

"Of course I am. I'm not going to surrender to that royal prig!"

Daja snorted; Tris covered her mouth with her hand. Gary growled.

"You're going to get slaughtered!"

Alanna shrugged. "You want me to flee from a fight because I might lose? Is that what knights do?"

"Of course not, but…" Gary ran a harassed hand through his hair. His eyes became full of pleading. Alanna softened slightly, and laid a steady hand on his shoulder.

"I'll be fine, Gary. Really, I will."

They walked together in silence the remaining distance to the courtyard, Gary looking worried, Alanna calm. As they entered, Alanna noticed with a tiny smile that Briar was indeed sitting in the front row.

Then her eyes strayed back, and for the first time worry flickered in her eyes. There were also a lot of other people watching. About a hundred.

Damn.

Her eyes caught Jonathon's across the courtyard, and she glared at him. Striding forward she forced him to do the same, or look stupid. When he was close enough for her to do so without being overheard, she hissed, "Let's get this over with."

She raised her sword up without any preamble. He brought his up to meet it; somewhere, the inner Alanna smiled. He had to follow her lead. Good.

In one corner of the courtyard, Raoul struck the gong that had been set up for duels such as this. For a moment, both combatants stood perfectly still. Then…

Jon drew his sword back up to his shoulder and swung it forward. Alanna dodged it easily. It was an amateur's move, to slow for anyone with any skill with a blade. How bad does he think I am? Evidently very, for there was a flicker of surprise in his eyes at her agility. He tried a marginally better move, snaking his sword under hers in an attempt to make her drop it. She twisted her sword and brought it down on his, almost hard enough to make him drop it.

Why won't he do this properly? Why can't he accept that I'm a worthy opponent? Swiftly she switched to the offensive, hoping to take advantage of the brief space of time before he figured out just how good she was. Memories of long evenings spent with Shang Warriors and lone Knights who had agreed to teach her.

Your greatest gift will always be your speed, Alanna. Your size is not a hindrance, it is an advantage. Utilise it…

Darting almost to one side of Jonathon, she slipped her sword down through the gap between his arms and jerked her sword up underneath his, sending it flying out of his arms in a lightening-fast move.

She hadn't expected it to work.  Dazed, remembering what to do only through sheer habit, she placed her sword against his neck. Her voice, when it came, was cracked and hoarse.

"Yield."

She could barely hear his whisper of reply.

"I yield." Her sword came down; she bowed stiffly. He did the same-and only then did she become aware of the rest of the world. Her ears were flooded with the desperate noise of the frenzied crowd; gasps, indistinguishable shouts, and…

Cheers. Her friends were clapping and shouting her name, but so were many she had never met. They were smiling at her…

What could she do? She smiled back.