“I guess you have something to tell me.”
“I know you," he said in preamble.
“I’m Saalyn, a Helarieal free warrior. I was born in Neiso. I’m six hundred and thirty-two years old, and I’ve been friends with your mother for twenty years, though she hasn’t been heard from for most of that time. She introduced us less than a dozen years ago and we've seen each other almost every day since. So yes, we know each other. Any other questions?”
“I've known you for well over a dozen years, much more than a dozen. I don't remember when.”
Saalyn hesitated. Was it possible that her memories went back that far?
“The day we met, my name and face were unknown to you.”
“Your face didn’t mean anything to me. It still doesn't.”
“Then how? When?”
“At the party. When I danced with you. When I was against
