Stellamaris

Summary: Stellamaris. The old Thak word for 'star of the sea.' Da calls me that. Or, at least he used to. He left when Ma got sick. Not being selfish, of course. He loves Ma too much. No, he left to get help, leaving me to look after Riki and Janie. And it wasn't easy. Especially when you're only little, with magic that I can't use. I'm scared. I want my Da. An episode in the life of Sarralyn Salmalín.

Thank you lover-ly reviewers.

I won't blither on with the crap I usually do so I will just write, oh yes, I have some stuff to say (in an un-mean way): This is a fantasy world. I know Numair is Tyran and that Sarra defies genetics but in a world that isn't real (It's sad, but it's true) genetics can be screwed around. I will keep it in mind, but I like defying genetics. Can skin colour be taken into account?

Oh, right, the story:

Chapter 2 of Stellamaris

It all began when I was eight. It was spring when Ma got sick. None of us knew what it was. She was just cooking breakfast one day when Da walked in. As he came in, she gave a little gasp and she passed out. Da caught her. Everything went super slow and was tinged with green. He laid her carefully on the ground. She was breathing raggedly and Da went white as a ghost. He picked her up and carried her to their bedroom. Riki told me all of this. I hadn't woken up. He ran upstairs to my room, at the top of the tower and woke me up. He was crying and then I started crying. What was the matter with our Ma?

We went down to Ma and Da's room. She lay on the bed, like she was asleep, but she looked dead against the crimson duvet. Da sat by her side, making soft noises as he wiped her sweaty forehead. He looked so upset. We went over to him.

"Da, what's wrong with mamma?" Riki asked quietly.

He looked at us and his eyes were glazed over. He blinked and seemed aware that we were there "I don't know," He had a totally lost look on his face. He knelt beside us and hugged us for a long time. Riki was still crying.

When he pulled away I noticed the glimmer of tears in his eyes. This must be bad, for Da to be crying.

"Sarra, can you go finish breakfast and get Janie up?" he asked me.

I nodded with my eyes wide. We left Da's room and Riki went downstairs. I went to Janie's room. She was siting on her bed laughing, while an exasperated Kitten was trying to pull a scarf off her head. I giggled and went to help the dragon. I was still shorter than her. She whistled her thanks and helped me get Janie dressed. She chattered the whole time and squirmed, which made it really hard. A few years ago, when she was very little I wished that she could talk so I didn't have to play with the boys. Now I regret that wish. She never shuts up!

Kitten pulled her off the bed and we held her hand as she walked down the stairs, despite her indignant cries that she was perfectly capable of doing it herself. Kit and I just rolled our eyes. Everyone in our family was graceful but Janie. She couldn't walk into a room without tripping over or breaking something. So she's not allowed in Da's libraries or workrooms. Or the kitchen if anyone is cooking. Or in the bathroom alone. Basically you have to hold both her hands the whole time.

In the kitchen we strapped her into a chair, so she couldn't fall off. Ma had thought it was fool proof. But then, to Da's half amusement she pulled the chair over. She wasn't hurt but it was so funny. Ma was laughing and Da was trying not to smile. And Janie was giggling too. Kitten watched over the girl and I went to help Riki make breakfast. I was allowed to touch the stove and oven, but I didn't want to. It was too hot to have anything but colder food. So Riki, standing on my shoulders got the cookie jar from a cupboard. Da obviously didn't know how much we had grown. Then we got some milk for us all from a box Da cooled with his Gift. To our delight there was also some pastries made of sugar and jam. We added cocoa and sugar to our milk and we had the best breakfast ever.

Da came downstairs as I was washing the dishes and Riki was drying (again a job Janie couldn't help with so she was outside with Sun and Moon, Clouds two foals.) He smiled weakly at me and said he was getting some water. The water down here was cooler.

"Da, is Ma gonna be okay?" I asked softly.

He ruffled my hair half-heatedly. He seemed to have forgotten how much I LOATHE that! "I don't know Stella. I really don't know," he said dazedly and wandered out.

I stared after him, attempting to flatten my hair huffily, but feeling very scared.

I fell onto bed, exhausted. I had spent the whole day, trying to look after my siblings. Kit had tried to help, but there are many things a dragon can't do.

I was nearly asleep when I heard the door open. I thought maybe it was Dahlia, the boss cat of the house. I called with my mind but discovered she was downstairs in Da's chair in the biggest library. So I turned over and saw Da at the door.

I smiled tiredly at him.

He came and sat on my bed. "I am very proud of you Stellamaris," he whispered hugging me. I knew he needed a hug. "And I'm sorry to say that you are going to have to look after the other for a few weeks."

"Why?!"

"I can't work out what is wrong with your Ma. And Alanna is not within range so I will take her to Corus. I know you can look after everyone. You can talk to animals and Kit and Riki will help you."

My lower lips trembled. But I knew Da wouldn't do this unless it was crucial. "Okay Da." I whispered.

"I'll be leaving tomorrow in the morning. I will make breakfast though. I noticed that you had nearly every sweet thing you could get your hands on." He said wryly.

"I don't want to touch the stove." I said.

"Oh, and I'll be sending someone to look after you. Maybe Alan or Thom. Wait, not Thom, he is too book bound. But maybe that wife of his has drummed sense into him. She might come. Then there's Maude or George and maybe-"

"Da!" I cut in "You're babbling." I told him dryly. It was a habit we had yet to break.

He grinned and went to ruffle my blonde curls but at my glare he pulled his hand back smiling.

"Come on, into your nightshirt." He helped me get into my nightshirt and tucked me in. He kissed me good-night and put my spelled crystal against the dark on my bedside table. Then, with an impish grin he ruffled my hair. He stuck his tongue out at me and grinned.

"Love you Sarra," he said as he closed the door. I smiled and fell asleep.