The sun was low on the horizon, a baleful eye that looked over all of Pern. The light was muted and dull, casting a reddish glow over Lymer Hold. Activity was sluggish, and thoughts of sleep began to niggle in the minds of the citizens. Kylia stared moodily out her window, wishing that she could get some sleep. Her thoughts were shattered by the howl of a young boy. Quickly Kylia turned from the window and rushed to the other room where four children were involved in an argument.
"Kylie!"
Kylia was nearly bowled over by the force of one of the boys leaping at her with a big bear hug. His face was streaked with tears and Kylia returned his hug, patting his back, attempting to soothe him. The other three watched uncertainly, and Kylia glared at them over the first boy's shoulder.
"What happened, Leston?" Kylia asked, leaning back and looking him in the eye.
"They were teasing me, Kyle, they wouldn't leave me alone," Leston explained. "S-so I took a little—just a very little!—swipe at Morton. Then he hit me, Kylie! Hit me real hard!"
"But you hit him first?" Kylia demanded sternly, and Leston flushed.
"It wasn't my fault!" he protested, anguished. It looked like he was about to cry again and Kylia shushed him.
"You know better, Leston, than to rise to their bait. And you!" Kylia stood up and frowned at Morton. "I've told you to leave Leston alone! Besides, you should be quiet. Ma is sleeping."
This had more effect on the four boys than any of Kylia's reprimands. As one, they bobbed their heads at her and retreated from the room. Kylia sat down on the hard floor, tears springing to her eyes. She just couldn't handle this! Two heavy tears trickled down her face, and before she knew it Kylia was sobbing quietly, her head bowed as she sat in the middle of the room.
"They don't mean to upset you, Kylia."
Kylia wiped away her tears quickly and turned to face the speaker. It was another boy, this one slightly older than the others. His blonde hair was not ruffled from fighting, nor were there any scrapes or bruises on his and arms. Kylia smiled sadly at her brother.
"Where were you, Ezrem?" she asked as he took a seat next to her.
"I was thinking," Ezrem replied seriously. "Mama is going to die like Father, isn't she?"
"Don't say that, Ez!" Kylia exclaimed quietly. "Ma is going to make it, just wait and see."
Ezrem didn't say anything but Kylia had the disquieting feeling that he didn't believe her. But she couldn't blame him. There was no real conviction when she said that, no firm denouncing. She just couldn't deny, not to Ezrem anyway. Their mother was going to die, and soon at that. Kylia half-expected to wake up one morning an orphan.
"Kylie, come see Mama, she wants you!" Leston was back, sucking on his thumb and tugging at Kylia's sleeve with his free hand.
"Where're the others, Leston?" Kylia asked. "Have them come stay with Ezrem while I speak with Ma."
Without waiting to see if she was being obeyed, Kylia left the room and up the stairs. She paused in front of the closed door, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. As much as she loved her mother, she hated entering the room. It smelled like death, and it always made Kylia cry. Standing up straight, she eased open the door. Her mother was lying on the bed, her skin taunt and white, huge blue shadows under her eyes. Kylia hurried to her mother's bedside, kneeling next to it.
"You wanted me, Ma?"
"Child, I wanted you," her mother answered, the words sounding raspy and frail. "You must watch over them, Kylia. They need you." A fit of coughing interrupted her, but after a moment she continued. "Teach Morton kindness. Teach Leston bravery. Teach Newert wisdom. Teach Jermi restraint. Teach Ezrem hope. And teach yourself the meaning of life, Kylia."
Kylia nodded, sniffling. Tears were coming, whether she wanted them or not. Her mother grasped Kylia's hand in her own, and Kylia could feel its frailness. It weighed no more than a feather, and she could have broken it with a single squeeze of her hand. Weeping, Kylia kneeled next to her mother as she died.