Disclaimer: I own all of the characters but not the place, that (of course) belongs to TP.

A/N: Nothing really happens in this chapter (because it's sort of an introduction) so bare with me, it'll get more exciting. Oh, and this is my first fic so it probably isn't that good.

Chapter One

Aarana's Dream

Aarana had nothing with her but the clothes on her back. It was a cold night; the first signs of winter were appearing everywhere, a slight frost on the window, bare trees looking lonely and frightening, and gusts of wind that would pull your hood off. Aarana tugged her rag of a summer dress close to her.

She had seen no fellow travelers yet, but what a sight she must have been. She had boots so worn that you cold see her toes. She had tattered clothing, which was mush too small for her, and it looked as if it were maid out of used sacks. Her hair was a mess, tossed by the wind and greasy and muddy from not having been washed for many moons, it would be hard to tell what color it was. She was five years of age, and incredibly skinny. Her face was stretched out and brown from lack of food and sunburn. Two golden eyes glowed in the center.

The girl stumbled and continued on her way. She had been traveling for months. The last town she had passed had been that morning. She had smelled the foods in the market place and made her way over. She managed to sneak a loaf of bread, but that had soon disappeared into her hungry mouth. When she was eating it she couldn't imagine anything could taste better. She then felt silly for eating it all at once, but didn't dare to try her luck at thieving again. Instead she wandered around the town hoping that some mother would take pity on her and take Aarana in. But all the people did was shoo their children away and shoot her evil stares. She soon left the town and cried for most of the day.

She had not slept well the night before, and Aarana's eyelids were heavy with sleep. Her pace had slowed and finally she decided that she had to stop. On the side of the road there was a ditch, and she curled up in it and fell asleep immediately. Camouflaged perfectly with the mud and dirt, Aarana lay under the canopy of a dense forest, and the stars above. An owl hooted in the night and a wolf howled, but nothing could wake the sleeping child, nothing, except her dream.

* * * * *

There is a village. I am on fire and I scream. The temple is full and I cry. Where is Mama? Father says goodnight. Strange lady is short and I don't know where I am? I'm so cold. Heat. Mama always says… screaming baby. Who has taken my crib. Why do I have to sleep on the floor? Daddy says I'm terrible. Am I evil? Lady beats me. Daddy is away and I cry and I want to go. Why are they so mad? Where is Baby in my crib? Why does Daddy scream? The whip… fire! I want to sleep but I can't get back inside. Mama I'm afraid! Why is it dark at night time. Where is my home… I can't hear the song. I like my song. Why can't I get back inside. Why does she make me work? I am a good girl and I like to play but I can't get inside and I'm scared of the dark and I'm all alone and where is Mama? I can get back in and they tell me to go and I can't see and Mama is in the house… I want Mama. The house is glowing and I don't like the heat and the flames and my feet are sore and they hurt and I want to go home but I'm lost and they'll beat me. Where is Mama? The people hate me and I try to be good but where am I? I want Mama. Where is…