"Our memories don't go back that far," Ran replied. "But we give credit for our origins to She-Who-Has-No-Name."

"The Mother of all Neratomay," I added thoughtfully.

Alexis narrowed his eyes.

"What if we went to her again?" I asked. "We can plead our case—and this time it wouldn't be for us. I mean, this affects all of the Neratomay. Hell, it affects the entire world as we know it."

"What do you mean talk to her again?" Ran asked. "You spoke to the First ...