Disclaimer: I do not own Pern or its dragons. Anne McCaffrey does. I am simply playing in her world.

Chapter 1

Brennya braced for the paralyzing cold as bronze Mireth jumped between. She increased her grip on K'rin, the dragon's rider, but a second later all sensation vanished. Although she had experienced this a few times before, she couldn't get used to it. A scream rose in her throat but was instantly silenced.

Before panic could overtake her completely they were emerging over night-shadowed Crom Hold.

"That wasn't so bad, was it?" laughed Renen, K'rin's younger brother, who sat behind Brennya. She stiffly shook her head.

The mountain that the Hold was carved from loomed below, growing gradually closer as Mireth gracefully descended. Watery moonlight struggled to cast a faint glow through the clouds and the chill air smelled of approaching rain.

A tinge of sadness clutched Brennya. It had been months since she'd been off Crom's premises. Her father, Lord Randin, had forbidden her to go anywhere outside on her own, claiming that a proper Lord Holder's wife, which she was destined to become in a few Turns, did not go running off on random adventures. When she had asked several sevendays ago if she could attend Ruatha's upcoming Gather, his reply had been an adamant "No."

Depression seeped through her as she thought of the small seaside cothold on Ista where she had lived before Father took over Crom a Turn ago, after his elder brother Haidrin, the former Lord Holder, had been sentenced to life in the mines for murder. It had been sunny almost every day on Ista, where she could run barefoot on the sands and swim in warm waters. She couldn't do such things here.

Tears momentarily blurred her vision. Father had changed since he'd become a Lord Holder. He no longer laughed and seemed Turns older. The wrinkles that webbed his eyes had deepened and gray streaks had blossomed throughout his dark hair. He now seldom spoke to Brennya unless it was to scold her for something.

She would certainly be in for an earful if he learned of her little jaunt. She'd been careful not to let anyone in the Hold in on her secret plans, least of all her nosy older brother Syle, when she'd sent word to her best friend Renen at Ista Weyr. It was he who made the travel arrangements with K'rin.

The Gather had been every bit as fun as she'd anticipated. She wore the simplest dress she could find in the hopes that no one would recognize her. No one did and she even managed to avoid Renen's parents, Brownrider G'ren and his weyrmate Greenrider Remmi of Ista Weyr, who'd been busy mingling with the other guests. Renen and Brennya stuffed themselves on bubbly pies, danced to the harpers' lively tunes, and perused the many stalls. Brennya had stolen a few marks from her father, doubtful they'd be missed, but opted not to purchase anything besides food. She could feel the jiggling of the mark-filled pouch on her belt.

Mireth landed in Crom's vast courtyard, his claws lightly scraping the flagstones. The dragon crouched low as K'rin released the safety straps, allowing the boys to help Brennya climb down his smooth side.

"Thank you," she said to Mireth and the boys. The dragon's enormous eyes lit the darkness like whirling blue-green glows. He dipped his wedge-shaped head, allowing her to briefly place a hand against his warm, soft snout. That thrill she felt whenever she was near any dragon trembled through her, warming her inside while incongruously prickling her skin with chills.

"You needed to get away," Renen said with a shrug. Brennya looked down at him and grinned. At twelve, one Turn younger than she, he was nearly a head shorter but she was certain that, before long, he'd be as tall as his father and older brother. He had G'ren's ruddy face and Remmi's large, celery-green eyes. "I don't understand why your father wants to keep you locked up in the Hold all the time just because you're a girl…er…a woman." His cheeks seemed to grow even redder against the weak moonlight. "He wasn't like that at all in Ista. Besides, our mother," he nodded up at K'rin who had already climbed back onto Mireth and was jiggling the straps with growing impatience, "travels all over Pern on Faylith as a harper to teach children in remote cotholds, as well as the holdless. She's a woman and no one stops her from doing that."

Warmth filled Brennya as she thought of Greenrider Remmi. It was she who had helped her father improve the workings at Crom after he had taken over. She wished that Remmi could have remained as the permanent harper, even though she did enjoy Journeyman Jaran who was now stationed here, but knew that the greenrider had other obligations. Instructing those who didn't have access to a harper was apparently important to Remmi, who had lived among holdless traders as a child and hadn't even learned the basics until after she had Impressed Faylith at age fourteen.

"Well, that may change soon with Thread due to return in a few Turns," K'rin shouted down. "Father's healing skills will be good for Threadscore but Mother and the other dragonriders are going to have to set aside their crafts and focus on what they are truly meant to do. Save Pern."

"As are you," Renen quipped.

"Believe me, I will," K'rin said. "I intend to be a Weyrleader someday."

"Well, right now I'd just like to Impress." Renen's eyes gleamed. "The queen Kayith clutched several sevendays ago. I hope one of those hatchlings will want me."

"How could you not Impress?" Brennya laughed as she playfully ruffled his thick, curly hair. "After all, both your parents and your brother are dragonriders. It's in your blood."

"I suppose." Renen patted Mireth's neck then started to climb up the dragon's side. "Our parents are scheduled to go on Search very soon. Perhaps they'll select you. There is a queen egg on the sands, after all." He settled behind his brother.

A queen egg… A thrill, similar to how she felt when she touched a dragon, spilled through Brennya.

Both boys waved as Mireth took to the air, his diaphanous, sail-like wings stirring up a chill wind. Brennya waved back until they vanished between.

A glow of hope filled her chest. Was it possible she could be Searched? Her father couldn't say no to Remmi and Faylith could he, if they decided to choose her? He'd have to allow her to go.

To be a dragonrider…Brennya's ephemeral joy mingled with doubt. True, Greenrider Remmi was a friend to her and her father but what if she, Brennya, wasn't worthy of Search?

The clouds completely obscured the moons, leaving her in a darkness that matched her approaching mood. I'd give anything to become a dragonrider, she thought, hurrying toward the Hold's entrance as a steady rain began to fall. It instantly soaked her hair and dress, plastering them to her skin. And I'm not asking for a queen. I'd be happy to take a green and be like Remmi, free to travel the world in seconds. The approach of a Pass doesn't even scare me. I'd face Thread any day over being forced to become the wife of a disgusting, old Lord Holder!

A tall, dark figure, blurred by the sheets of rain, was hurrying toward her. Her heart jolted in her chest and a nauseous feeling crept through her stomach.