Author's Note: I don't own anything except the idea of Fae in this story and the original characters! Anyway, let's introduce you to Veryn, shall we?

Chapter One: Nightmares or Memories?

A silent scream tore from her lips as she sat upright in her bed, gasping for air. Those dreams… Those dreams again… Veryn thought as she looked around her simple room. The sun was just beginning to rise so she decided that it was best to get up.

She ran a brush a few times through her light brown hair, tying it back into a ponytail and pulled on a simple blue dress before heading downstairs for some breakfast…which consisted of an apple and a small cup of water. Humming, she began to check her aunt's supplies, making sure the healer had plenty of the required herbs. I'll have to pick more mint… She thought. Then I can write a letter to mum and papa to tell them how my work with auntie is doing… It hurt having to be away from them at only fifteen, but she wanted to be a healer like her aunt.

That was how she found herself in a small village nestled in the Spine several miles away from Belatona instead of in Uru'baen with them. Her father was a scholar and a pretty good one at that, in fact he worked for the king but that was something none of them were proud of. They just never stated that fact out loud. She was happy here, the buildings were simple unlike in the capitol. Veryn knew it was silly, but she was deathly afraid of heights and had always been for as far back as she could recall. She remembered one day when she was about seven when her father had taken her into one of the towers of the palace and out onto one of the balconies. She had taken one good look around and promptly fainted in fright. It had caused quite a scene. Grinning, she stood and turned.

Upon which she let out a startled shriek as her aunt Loraine was now face to face with her. "What are you doing up so early? I know you went to bed late last night." Loraine asked.

"Woke up and couldn't go back to sleep." Veryn stated quickly. Her aunt knew about the nightmares, but not the severity of them or how often she had suffered through them. A warm hand seized a hold of her chin.

"Your eyes are bloodshot. You aren't getting enough sleep, people are noticing the bags under your eyes." Loraine smiled. "Though it's hard not to notice your eyes." Veryn nodded solemnly. Her eyes were the only thing about her that was unique, as her right eye was a deep blue while her left a pale grey. Otherwise, she was rather plain. Sure, she had a nice figure and healthy skin with an average hair color. The one thing that did annoy her was her height, she was several inches shorter then she should have been for her age. It's not fair… She mentally whined as her aunt, who stood a good head taller then her led her into the kitchen where she began to make a proper breakfast. Veryn knew there was no escape now.

Her aunt was rather thin but not overly so, with dark brown curls that hung to her shoulders and kind blue eyes. She was a loving woman, taking care of Veryn like she was her own but took her education very seriously. In other worlds, she was a very strict teacher.

Veryn was aware of her aunt's gaze while they ate, knowing the older woman wanted more of an explanation out of the girl for her current condition. For as long as she could remember, she had always had the dreams (and that strange phobia) but recently they had been becoming more frequent and horrifying. So many faces she felt she should know, but the names evaded her as did the people once she awoke.

Finished, Veryn got up and grabbed a cloth pouch. "I am going to pick more herbs. You are running out of some." Loraine nodded as she started to set up her work station so she could make a remedy for a sick girl across the village from them. With that she set out of the small house and through the town. She waved at some of the friendly villagers and smiled at the less then friendly ones. Reaching the edge of town, she turned down a deer trail into the woods that led to the Spine.

As a child, she had always enjoyed exploring and did so even to this day. Unlike many of the villagers, she wasn't afraid to come into the Spine. Nothing bad ever happened to her while she was there and it offered so much entertainment that she couldn't stay away. Something pulled her there and she didn't mind, just like crawling around on the forest floor looking at the various plants didn't bother her. Veryn knew this place well and in no time had all but one of the herbs required.

"Figures." She grumbled, pushing a few locks of hair that had freed themselves from her ponytail out of her face. Veryn wandered around, looking closely at the plants. "There!" She cried happily when she saw her prize and rushed forward…

…To fall straight through the ground and into the cave below. Yelping, Veryn landed in an ungraceful heap and whimpered. "That hurt…" She whispered as she sat up and looked around. It seemed she was in a tunnel of some sort and she felt a surge of fear. She could be trapped down here and no one would ever find her!

Shaking off the negative thoughts, Veryn got to her feet and looked down both ways of the passage. She could make out a faint light to her right. Light equals exit! She walked down the tunnel, trying to resist the urge to sneeze as she went. This place has been empty for a long time… She thought sadly, looking at the walls that had been so carefully carved.

Her heart sank as she entered the dimly lit room at the end of the tunnel. Looking around, she could make out all sorts of crystals and other odds shapes filling the room. She stepped cautiously inside and was forced to bite back a scream as a series of lights came on, all from strange orbs attached to the ceiling. Veryn looked around in amazement then realized something as she saw what rested in the middle of the space before her.

She was in a tomb.

Her skin began to tingle and she felt as if her blood had turned to ice water. A tug at the center of her chest made her go the large crystal in the middle of the room even though she had no desire to intrude any farther. A scream bubbled up and out of her throat as she looked into the diamond casket of a young child.

A woman was brushing her hair, humming a soft tune as a man sat across the room cleaning his brightly colored sword.

Veryn stumbled backwards, clutching her head.

Now outside, she and the man ran about. She giggled and squealed in happiness when he caught up to her and swung her up into the air. A dragon watched from its perch, its bronze scales glittering in the sunlight.

She fell to the ground and gasped for air. Her lungs felt like they were being squeezed while her heart hammered away in her chest.

She watched from beside the man as the woman tried to hide her tears as she got ready to leave. Confusion filled her as the woman bent down and kissed her on the forehead and whispered a goodbye. The man was acting strong, but when she looked up into his eyes she could see the pain and sadness within them.

The room was spinning now as she laid down by the casket, trying to ease the pain that was overwhelming her mind and body.

She watched as the man and bronze dragon flew away, the former waving at her before they were too far gone to see. Another man stood by her with a giant green dragon, smiling softly as he offered her his hand. She took it and he led them inside to a pile of scrolls where he opened one and said something in a strange language.

Shadows danced on the walls and closed in on her, looking at her with wild eyes. Veryn was convinced she was loosing her mind. There was no way shadows did that, unless it was magic.

The man with the green dragon looked sad as he pulled her aside. He spoke softly, telling her that her father was missing and that the others were out looking for him, but they held no hope. He hugged her as she cried.

"Stop…" Veryn begged, tears streaming down her face.

He was back! She ran to the man, who she knew had seen better days. But there was no bronze dragon with him…

"Please stop…"

The man wasn't the same, her father wasn't the same. He was jumpy and she sometimes found him crying. The bronze dragon was not here to comfort him or to tell her how to do so. He left to talk to the council, leaving her in the care of the green dragon and its Rider.

"What do you want?!" She screamed at the overwhelming darkness that caressed her body.

She had never seen him so angry before. The green dragon wrapped her protectively in its wings but she could still peek out as the Rider tried to calm her father.

Veryn broke into a cold sweat as her mind was continually assaulted.

The men around her were scary. They talked and shouted amongst themselves in fear as they held her in a painful grip. She was scared! She wanted her father! He had promised to protect her always! Where was he?! The man with the green dragon arrived, yelling something to her captors but they ignored him and went out onto the walls of the keep. There was her father! He was here to save her and he brought friends! A fight broke out, she clutched a silver hatchling to her chest as she screamed before one of the bad men grabbed her and held her off the wall. Her father was trying to reach her, he was yelling but the bad man didn't listen. He let her go. She was falling!

Falling.

Falling…

FALLING!!!

Darkness…..

Veryn gasped for breath as she laid on the cold floor in the sudden quiet that rang in her ears. She had no idea what had just happened but her mind was digesting that information.

Right now all she knew was that whatever that vision was had taken place either before or during the Fall since there hadn't been dragons or Riders besides the king for a while now.

She sat up despite her aching muscles. It was strange. She thought. It was like I was viewing someone's life through their eyes… Her mind wrapped around that and gave her a suggestion that nearly put her on the ground again.

Not a vision. Memories.

Looking back at the diamond casket, she bit her lower lip. Were those the memories of the little girl buried here? Getting to her feet she gazed down sadly at what was the evidence of a young life cut tragically short. Something was nagging her at the back of her mind, but she ignored it as she looked around the room again. Across from the casket was a pedestal upon which rested another crystal with something in it and two weapons on either side.

Against her better judgment, Veryn crossed the space separating them and looked at the sphere. She resisted the growing urge to faint as she saw the silver dragon hatchling from the memory/vision earlier. That confirms that it was memories of this girl. She must have been an apprentice dragon rider at the time of the Fall and this is her dragon. Veryn thought as she reached forward to gently run her fingers along the side of the sphere where the hatchling's back was. An urge to cry overcame her and she bent forward, hugging the sphere as tears ran down her cheeks for the second time that day.

That is, until the sphere was suddenly gone. Gasping, Veryn looked down at the silver dragon hatchling curled in her arms. It blinked its dark eyes then yawned, stretching its leathery wings that were several shades darker then the rest of its body to the point it was like the night sky. Then they made eye contact.

Aylin.

She yelped as a pain ran up her left arm, the one that was doing the most cradling and fell backwards. The dragon squeaked in alarm but didn't move from its position in her arms. Veryn heard what sounded like glass breaking and then she felt open, so open and exposed that she pulled her legs up to her front with just enough room for the dragon. She pulled the hatchling closer and looked around the room like a frightened child, waiting for anything to jump out and attack.

You found me.

Veryn looked around in alarm then realized that it had been inside her head, just like the chuckle that was now ringing there.

I've waited for you but by the way you are acting, you don't really remember do you? Do you remember me at all?

The voice was sad, and definitely feminine. Veryn gazed at the hatchling for some time as she wracked her mind for anything. Just as she was about to give up, a name sprung up from the dark recesses of her mind.

Lorin? A thrill of pure happiness passed from the dragon into her and Veryn couldn't resist the giggle that came with it.

You do remember me! What are you called now? How old are you? Where are we exactly? Does your father know we are here? What-

Veryn laughed. Wow! Slow down! My name is Veryn and I'm 15. We are in some kind of tomb in the Spine and of course my father knows I am here!

Lorin blinked at her. Not your father in this life, but your past father!

My past father? She asked, confused.

So you only remember bits and pieces then? Tell me what you know.

So for the next hour, Veryn recited what she knew about what happened after the Fall until now. She could feel Lorin's horror.

Perhaps we should not find your past father then… Veryn was confused as the dragoness spoke. No, not at all. Are there no other Riders? None at all?

None besides the king as far as I know. Why? Lorin's concern was making her jumpy now.

If all the other Riders are gone, the 'king' will want to capture us! Do you want to be a slave?

"Of course not!" Veryn nearly shouted, indignant. Nobody actually wanted to be a slave. Except maybe some weird person with a fetish, but that was beside the point! It was setting in now, her mind piecing the puzzle together. Looking at the silver of the gedwey ignasia, she knew she was a dragon rider and there was no turning back. What unnerved her was how easily she and Lorin had fallen into their conversation and companionship. So that means that I had a past life as the Rider of Lorin so that also means… Veryn thought as she turned to the diamond casket in horror. …that means that was… me…? Lorin fixed her with a piercing gaze.

That was you before, yes. That was you when you were Aylin but you are Veryn now so don't dwell on it. All that matters is that we are together again.

Somehow that didn't comfort her as much as she hoped it would.

(A few months later…)

I'm haunted. Veryn finally decided one day. My lack of knowing my past, or rather, the lack of knowing about my past life is going to drive me insane!!! She was currently checking her medical kit she carried around. It wasn't much, just a black leather case that could be secured to her belt with a series of loops and pockets inside for herbs, bottles of medicine and other requirements.

What was also driving her mad was the whispered rumor that there might be another Rider out there. A free Rider.

Loraine entered the room, looking worried. Just yesterday, Veryn had revealed to her what had happened. Her aunt despised the king and his empire, so she had told Veryn she was sending her to some friends of hers in Surda. She was to take Lorin and flee before they were discovered. The cover story for her parents were already arranged as well, there was a talented healer in Surda who wanted to train her.

"I have the money you will need but there's a problem." Veryn raised an eyebrow. "You'll have to get a boat from Teirm, the king has placed up a strict border search. I think they are looking for that other Rider so you better keep your head low which shouldn't be hard. The guards are looking for a boy, not a girl."

"Just my luck! Teirm is farther then Surda is from here!" Veryn nearly shouted and sat on her bed. "Will I be traveling with a caravan?"

"Yes, just tell Lorin to remain out of sight and you should be fine. Keep the gloves I gave you on, just in case that ink I gave you to cover the mark comes off." Loraine instructed as she handed over the money which Veryn tucked inside the tunic of her traveling clothes.

It was a simple outfit, consisting of a black tunic, leather leggings and boots. She would also have a cloak to help cover her more, in case she had to flee fast and remain in the wilderness. Her pack was ready and she secured the two sais she had acquired from the tomb of her past self to her thighs. It was another confirmation. Never in her life had Veryn wielded a weapon, and yet she could use the sais with a deadly accuracy. Lorin had told her that as Aylin, she had been quite talented with them and it was no surprise that it had continued into this life. It was just another memory of the soul.

Pulling on the cloak, she turned and saw her aunt crying. "I'll be careful, I promise. I'll see you and mum and papa again!" Veryn said as she hugged Loraine.

"I know you will since I am holding you to that promise." The two embraced for several more minutes before they descended the stairs and out onto the road. A simple brown mare was waiting there, along with a few traveling merchants she would be making part of the journey with.

Are you ready? Lorin asked. She was hidden several miles away and would fly high above the group so she would only look like a bird to anyone who might look up. She would break away every once and a while to hunt so the travelers didn't think a bird was stalking them.

As ready as I'll ever be. Swinging up into the saddle, Veryn gave her home one last look-over before smiling at her aunt and urging her horse forward to follow the now moving merchant carts. Teirm, here we come!

Next chapter: Teirm has a dragon problem…

Another author's note: DON'T MARY-SUE ME YET, IT'S ONLY THE SECOND CHAPTER! GIVE ME TIME TO SHOW MORE OF HER PERSONALITY!!! Thanks to all the nice people who reviewed, it means the world. I skipped a bit of time simply for the fact that that part in time didn't have anything really important to the story other then Lorin grew bigger and Veryn being unsuccessful in trying to stir her memories. See ya in the next chapter!!!