She watched his hips and shoulders more than even his weapon. He didn't try to trash talk her, which already proved him smarter than most of the opponents she faced. Alanna never understood losing one's breath to insult the person you were fighting, plus she found that not responding tended to make people stupid mad. She could use stupid.

She turned with him as he moved behind, and fainted with her shield for a bash that was clearly going to fall short because she wasn't letting go of her guard. Let him think she was making a fool move, let him focus on her arms. While she was moving her arms, her leg slid into the pivot, to try and sweep his feet.