I was taken aback by her question, but I answered her anyway. "I'm Lyra, and you are?" looking at her intently.

She gave me a look as if to say, "You dare ask me who I am? Don't you know me?" But she remained calm and said, "You are not from here? You don't look like the ladies from the West.”

"I'm not from here, ma," I said, baring my neck in respect. Even though I didn't know who she was, with the aura oozing out, I knew I should show her some respect.

"That explains it. And what brings you ...