Disclaimer: I own nothing from Hawksong, Snakecharm, or any other books in the series; they belong to Ms. Atwater-Rhodes.
And here's an update for all of you. Sorry it took so long, this past month or so has been insanely busy. I have been bitten by the writing bug, so more may be coming within the next few days. My imagination keeps jumping ahead to what Kel would be thinking or doing long before I actually get there in the story. Enjoy, and review.
Chapter 5:
Kel paced restlessly, unable to relax. Months had passed since Erica's death. She had gotten used to her sparrow form, and wearing Erica's features. She was glad to be able to leave the house when she wanted to, but the strain of her exile hadn't really lessened, only changed form. She could come and go as she pleased, but she felt useless. She had been restless since her arrival, but the fear of being discovered had restrained it somewhat. She had been a part of the Empress' Mercy for nine years, ever since the age of seven. She wasn't used to having time on her hands. She smiled briefly at Valene as the raven entered the room. "How are you," Valene asked. "Fine," Kel answered automatically. Then she sighed. "Bored," she admitted. "I'm used to working." Valene nodded in understanding. Her mouth twitched slightly. "Something tells me you would make a terrible doctor's patient." Kel bit her lip to keep from laughing. "Yes, I always did." Valene nodded. "I've noticed that about soldiers; they don't know the meaning of the word relax."
"At least not for an extended period of time," Kel said dryly. She ran her fingers through her hair. "I like it here, I really do. I just…need something to do. Something important." Valene looked apprehensive. "I think I know what you're going to say," she said quietly. Kel nodded. "I…" Valene held up her hand. "Just…be careful," she said. Her voice took on a business-like tone. "You can accompany Brenson to the Keep tomorrow. We've known for some time that you would never be happy for long just sitting here. With your abilities, it shouldn't be difficult for you to earn a position." Kel hugged Valene tightly. "Thanks," she whispered.
The next day, Kel was standing in the courtyard talking to the Tuuli Thea's heir, Danica Shardae. She had spoken to Nacola Shardae, the avian queen, and the woman had referred her to Danica. Kel knew that Danica would take the throne on her next birthday. She approached the young woman, feeling nervous. As she presented her request, the queen-to-be looked at her with resignation. Kel suspected that she knew what Shardae was thinking. The Tuuli Thea's heir saw only a sparrow apparently a few years younger than herself. She had no idea that Kel had been training with weapons and magic while Danica had still been playing with dolls. She followed Danica to the training courtyard, where a crow a few years older than Kel was overseeing the guards' practice. He turned to face them. Kel was careful not to assume a soldier's ready while the captain studied her, although she felt an automatic impulse to do so. She had to maintain the appearance of a girl with no formal training; any soldier worth the name would notice anything out of place. She allowed some of her disdain to show when he asked her if taking a life would bother her. Not on your life, she thought. Especially not a serpent. When he asked her if she would retreat when ordered, she couldn't completely hide her derision. "Does this flight frequently retreat, sir? (1). As soon as she asked the question, she could tell by his face that it wasn't the best idea. Ashamed at his reprimand, she looked down at the ground. As soon as he attacked, instinct took over. To her amazement, he was better than her! She hadn't expected to find any avian who could outfight her, but he apparently was an exception. She sensed more than saw Danica watching them; most of her focus was on the exercise. After they finished, Andreios studied her for another long moment. "I need to finish this practice, but we can meet after the evening meal." He waited a moment; Kel realized that he was waiting for a reaction. "Do you have room for one more?" Andreios smiled slightly at her request and nodded.
The rest of the afternoon passed by far too quickly for Kel. She enjoyed having the chance to fight. She went to wash off and change before the evening meal. Seeing Erica's reflection in the mirror startled her, and she felt a pang of guilt. Shaking her head, she went to eat. After the meal, she spent half an hour being interviewed by the captain of the Royal Flight. Suddenly, her breath caught. She couldn't do this. She couldn't lie to her commander, even if she had to leave. Taking a deep breath, she spoke. "Sir? There's something you should know." Andreios raised an eyebrow. Forcing herself to continue, Kel explained. "The reason I fight so well is that I've been trained for years as a soldier. I'm a falcon." She halted as Andreios held up his hand for silence. Kel bit her lip and was careful to keep her hands visible. Andreios stood and checked for people outside the door, shutting it firmly. He sat down again, holding a knife in his hand. Making an effort to meet his gaze, Kel continued. "I am exiled from Ahnmik. The Silvermeads let me stay at their home. Erica was hurt…I tried to save her, but it didn't work. Valene let me stay on as Erica so that I didn't have to hide indoors all the time. The only condition was that I swore never to harm them, the royal family, or any of their people." Kel looked directly at his face. "I meant it then, and I mean it now. Even if I could go back to Ahnmik, I never would. This is my home now, and this is my life." Kel waited silently while Andreios thought it over. His expression showed nothing of his thoughts. "Welcome to the Royal Flight, Erica." Kel let out the breath she didn't realize she had been holding. Meeting his eyes, Kel got the message he didn't speak aloud. If she ever hurt anyone under his charge, he would kill her. Nodding slightly she replied, "It's an honor to join it, sir."
Chapter 6
A few weeks later, Kel accompanied Andreios and three other guards in a panicked flight to the serpiente lands. They had just learned that Danica had conducted secret negotiations with the serpiente and was currently in the serpiente palace. Kel wondered why Shardae had decided to pursue this insane course of action. Abruptly Rei dove into the forest, the other guards following suit. Rei ordered them to wait for him while he went to find Danica. When one guard-Karl was his name-started to protest, Rei's look cut his objections off immediately. Kel hit him lightly to keep him quiet. This wasn't the time to question orders.
What seemed like an eternity later, Rei told Kel and Karl to accompany Danica back to the Keep. Kel got her first look at Zane Cobriana, the Diente of the serpiente-and Anjay's younger brother. Thinking of all the trouble this snake's older brother had caused, Kel found herself wishing that she could put a knife through him. On top of those memories came the ones of holding Erica as the life left her body. She caught the gaze of one of the serpiente guards, a white viper that the cobra had addressed as Ailbhe. He and the captain of the palace guard looked enough alike to be brother and sister-probably twins. The two of them looked no happier about the situation than the avian soldiers were. The two of them argued with the cobra about not being allowed in the Keep until he ordered them to shut up. Kel noticed that the captain-Adelina-seemed to be directing at least half of her glares at Shardae, while her brother reserved his attention for the guards. Kel wondered what on earth was going on. Kel pushed the question away from her mind as she followed Danica into the sky.
When Andreios arrived back at the Keep, he called Kel to his office to speak to her. "You wanted to see me, sir?" Kel asked as she entered the room. Andreios motioned for her to close the door. "I wanted to speak with you about the serpiente," he stated. "Sir, I heard the orders," she said carefully. "And?" Kel caught the edge in his soft voice. "How can we trust them?" Kel demanded. "Even letting them near the Tuuli Thea…"
"Quiet!" Andreios snapped. Kel shut up instantly, biting her lip. "Let me make something very clear," he warned her. "Follow your orders. You are not to start any trouble with the serpiente unless they try to harm Shardae or one of our people. I don't like this any more than you do," he continued, "but the Tuuli Thea has made her decision. Attacking any of the serpiente now would only make matters worse. You would be tried and executed for treason." Kel started to reply, but Andreios silenced her again. "I do not like them, I do not trust them, and the thought of letting that snake anywhere near Shardae sickens me, but she is trusting us to support her, and I will not allow anyone to endanger her life by carrying out a suicide mission." Kel was silent for a moment, then spoke. "I will obey orders, sir." Andreios nodded. "I'm trusting you to keep your oath. I'm also trusting you to protect your queen." Kel nodded, understanding what he wanted. She would watch carefully, and not hesitate to defend her queen if necessary. "Dismissed," he said tiredly. Kel left the room, deep in thought.
Kel felt her heart rate speed up as she watched Shardae declare Zane Cobriana her alistair. She would have liked nothing better than to kill the cobra where he stood ten minutes earlier, but she was determined to prove that her commander's trust in her was justified. She couldn't believe that Zane Cobriana actually wanted peace-hadn't his brother come to Ahnmik several years earlier wanting power to kill the avian queen and destroy her people?-but she would wait if she had to. The avians reacted with muted shock and dismay as Danica announced the alliance between the avians and serpiente. Looking at Danica's face, and hearing the passion in her voice as she pleaded with her people to support her, Kel realized just how different the avian queen was from her falcon counterparts. The majority of the falcons obeyed the Empress out of fear and awe. The royal house had proved their ability to rule by creating and maintaining the most powerful empire in the world, but they were not loved. The avians' loyalty to Danica came not only from respect, but from love and admiration. Their queen loved her people, and was willing to sacrifice anything and everything to give them hope. Kel thought of what she had learned about the first avian queen, and prayed that history would not repeat itself.
(1). Thisreply was taken from Hawksong pg63