(Starla)
I opened my mouth to deny it. But something in his cunning eyes stopped me.
He wasn’t accusing. He was genuinely curious to know.
"I can..." I hesitated. "I can tell when someone’s lying," I told him the little secret I possessed.
Alistair’s eyebrows shot up. "Really?"
I nodded slowly and explained. "It’s not magic or some great power. I can simply sense the change in energy. A subtle vibration. I know when a person isn’t telling me the truth."
"And how long have you had this talent?" He excitedly asked, rubbing his hands. I could see he was hardly able to contain his contentment on learning this.
"Since I was a child. My mother said it was a gift. My father said it was a curse." I shrugged. "It’s just part of who I am."
Alistair’s grin returned, brighter than ever.
"That’s incredible," he said. "Do you have any idea how useful that is? The Stronghold is filled with politics, with negotiations, with alliances that shift like sand. And you can tell when someone’s lying."
I blinked. "I hadn’t thought of it that way. I don’t abuse it, and I have to really focus to detect that. It’s not like I see a person and can tell. It takes concentration."
"Of course you hadn’t. You are modest." He grabbed my hand, his grip warm and firm. "Come with me. There is someone you need to meet."
Alistair was forceful without trying too. He appeared all charming and smiling, but deep down, there appeared to be a very smart being hiding who liked to remain in control, or at least take control.
"Who?"
"The children," he nonchalantly added, taking me along.
The Academy had a wing dedicated to what Alistair called "Combat Tactics and Diplomacy." It was filled with young Beastmen in their early teens, their eyes sharp and calculating. Some hostile, others merely curious.
We entered, and the beastwoman teaching them halted. Her curious gaze wavered between us. Derogatory towards me but warm when it shifted to Alistair.
"Commander Alistair," she respectfully bowed.
"Arwana. I would like a moment with the kids," he firmly said, but that subtle smile remained on his lips.
Throwing me a furtive glance, she left the room. Alistair stood facing the children, offering them a smile.
"These are the future negotiators," Alistair said, gesturing towards them. "They are being trained to handle the politics of the clans. Alliances. Deals. Peace treaties." He looked at me with that mischievous glint. "And you, my dear, have a talent that could help them."
I felt my cheeks flush. "Alistair, I don’t think that’s a good idea."
"Stay with me." He pulled me closer, and all eyes turned to us.
"Future leaders," Alistair announced, his voice ringing through the chamber. "I have brought you a special guest. This is Starla: the human guide who helped my brother."
Murmurs rippled through the room. Curiosity but also skepticism. The same suspicion I had seen everywhere.
"She is here to help you with something," Alistair continued, ignoring their looks. "Something none of you can do."
I stared at him. "What are you..."
"Demonstrate for them." His voice was steady and reassuring. "I want to see."
I felt the weight of every gaze in the room. Young Beastmen had their eyes filled with questions.
This is insane. He can’t just expect me to walk in and...
I took a deep breath and pushed away every thought
"I will tell when someone’s lying. Try me," I said, my voice steady despite my racing heart.
The room fell silent.
Then a young fox-beastwoman raised her hand. " You can?"
I reassuringly nodded at her.
"Can you do it now? Can you tell if I am lying?"
I smiled. "Yes."
She stood up, her green eyes sharp and her ears standing upright. "I ate a whole roasted chicken for breakfast."
I focused and felt her energy shift, a subtle vibration, like a string being plucked out of tune.
"You are lying," I answered.
Her jaw dropped. "How did you know?"
"You are not very good at lying," I said gently. "Your energy vibrates when you try. A perfect liar can train their energy; they develop the skill to hide their real emotions and motives. But untrained energy always reveals the truth."
The room erupted after that. Children shot question after question at me to test my ability. I answered them all, telling them when they were lying, when they were telling the truth, when they were hiding something they didn’t want to share.
"This is amazing," one of them said, her eyes wide. "We are trained for years to spot deception. And you can just... feel it?"
"Not always," I admitted. "Sometimes people are very good at hiding. But most of the time, yes."
She looked at Alistair. "She is staying, right?"
"She is staying," Alistair said, his grin triumphant. "For as long as she wants."
***
The hours passed in a blur after that.
I spent the rest of the morning with the young beastmen, teaching them what I knew. How to read subtle shifts in energy. How to notice when someone was holding something back. How to trust their instincts.
They were eager learners, soaking up every word I said. By noon, I had forgotten I was a dying human in a fortress full of Beastmen who hated my kind.
I had forgotten I was anyone at all.
This is what I was good at, I thought. This is what I was meant to do.
"Starla."
I looked up. Alistair stood at the door, his eyes soft and mischievous.
"You should eat and rest. You have been at this for hours."
"I am fine," I said, but my stomach chose that moment to growl loudly.
"You are not fine." He crossed the room, his hand warm on my shoulder. "You are amazing, but you need to keep your strength."
I laughed despite myself. "Fine. I will eat."
I bid farewell to the kids.
"Good." He guided me toward the door, his grin bright. "And after that, I want to show you the library. There is something there you might find interesting."
"What?"
"It’s a surprise."