[If that question had come from, say, an overenthusiastic skeleton or even a curious and naive fire elemental, Lessa might have been more welcome to answer it in a straight-foward way. Coming from Helga, however, and across the network as opposed to face-to-face, Lessa is far less keen on being frank.

It doesn't help that on first impression, this blonde bombshell with a sneer in her voice bears a light resemblance to a person Lessa had thought of for years as something like That Other Woman.

But it's never been in her nature to sneer right back. Rather, fumes already stoking with sudden abandon, Lessa leans back carefully in her small seat and clasps her hands in her lap. She favours Helga with a business-like nod.]

I discovered the ability to travel between times and led a foray across centuries to save my people. I manage a Weyr compliment of three hundred and seventy-two dragons, their men, and the women who work in the Lower Caverns.

[It's impossible to keep her fury completely at bay, however.]

In herding stubborn fools, I have been taking lessons my entire life. I find that food helps. Would you care to join me?