/-Zara-/

The truth compulsion felt like drowning.

My defenses crumbled like paper, and suddenly I couldn't stop my mouth from moving, couldn't prevent the words from pouring out. Every thought, every fear, every secret came tumbling free.

"I was trained to be observant," I found myself saying. "To gather information. It was expected of palace servants."

"Information," Aldric repeated. "What kind of information?"

"About people. Their habits. Their vulnerabilities. So we could better serve ...