Flashback ( PDFDrive )

fear doing it in my language was a mistake after all and made the
subject far more confusing. I think it might be easier for her to
understand if I try again in her instinctive language.”
Tarina delivered the lie so smoothly that Sophie couldn’t decide if
she was impressed or unnerved. And when Tarina turned back to her,
she continued on without even missing a beat, as though this was
what they’d been discussing all along. “As I was trying to say, my
people age quite differently than what you’re used to—not only
following a pattern that you would likely consider a reverse of your
aging method, but also because we pass through seven distinct stages
throughout the course of our lives, all of which have different physical
and mental attributes. As newborns, we’re at our strongest physically
—but mentally at that stage, we’re at our weakest. And as we pass
from stage to stage, those conditions slowly flip, with our strength
fading and mental capacity enhancing. I happen to be in Stage Four,
which is also called our Prime Stage. It’s the stage considered to be
the most balanced point in our lives, when our mental and physical
strength are nearly even. It’s why I was chosen for this assignment.
But each stage has its advantages and disadvantages. Empress Pernille
is Stage Six. The other trolls you’ve seen were likely Stage Threes or
Stage Fives, which is why none of them resembled each other or
looked as I do now.”
“How fascinating,” Bo said, rolling his eyes. “Should we follow this
with a lecture on ogre development? Or perhaps the gnome would like
to tell us about their life cycles.”
Tarina smirked. “If you ever find yourself facing one of our
newborns, you might be grateful for this understanding.”
“I’ve faced your soldiers plenty of times.”