Kylara observed herself in the mirror, wearing a new dress. She was angry at the tailor, as the hem was uneven. She calls for her nurse, Rannelly, an old woman. She ordered Rannelly to fix it, in time for her to go home. As she removes the dress, it reveals bruises. Rannelly asked if he had done it, and Kylara angrily tells her to mind her own business. "He" appears to be Lord Holder Meron. Kylara was ambitious, with plans to dominate Pern, to get away from Southern Weyr, and to take control, with Meron. She scorned Lessa, who, as she saw it, threw away her chance to rule the planet.