Me + reviews equals happy. Please? I see you guys clicking on my story; I've gotten 52 hits and 1 review. I'm not a stickler for 'em, but just a few words of encouragement would rock. Anyway, on to chapter two. I'm making up most of the Dasi members' last names, since I'm either too lazy to read up on their history or my head hurts too much from writing into the early hours of the morning. Either way, the names are based off of the types of snakes their second forms take. And ignore the semi-cliché I make in here, but eh, I couldn't help it. That said, on with the chapter, and please review!

Chapter Two
The air, as I entered the courtyard, seemed to be buzzing with apprehension. My heartbeat quickened beneath my chest as the crowd departed clearing a path for me, to where I was sure the eight Serpiente stood in the center of the courtyard. Mel was at my side, her face calm as Cairbre and Aderyn, my guard, shadowed behind me.

I realized then that dressed in my gold I seemed like a star against the dark colors that adorned the eight guests that stood before me.

Moving to stand before the eight, I addressed them. Smoothing out my face in a gentle smile I began in a regal tone, "Welcome to the Hawk's Keep. We are honored and thank you all for making the journey." I was proud of the greeting, mature and welcoming hoping that they would not take such harsh a note of my age.

A woman dressed in a tailored crimson riding tunic stepped forward. Greeting me with a smile, I noticed her eyes matched her clothing—jet-black hair falling to her waist. "And we are ever grateful to return the invitation of your Tuuli Thea," she said. This woman knew the title for the Hawk Queen, yet had never seen me. To my relief, I didn't hear a sound of disapproval for the mistake from anywhere around me.

But I could not stop the blush rising to my cheeks: she didn't know who I was. And why should she? I answered myself; you're barely fourteen years of age. Focus, I told myself, focus and let her know who you are. You are Queen Alasdair, Tuuli Thea to your people. Meeting her gaze squarely I inclined my head, knowing that this woman had to be a leader of the Serpiente.

"I am she," I answered, levelly.

Surprise flickered in her eyes for a sliver of a second as she considered what I said. I held her gaze—glancing at the other Serpiente would show a weakness my age could not afford.

After a moment she nodded. "Then we are grateful for your welcome, Queen Alasdair," she amended, bowing slightly to show respect for her mistake.

Smiling, I turned to my left, eager to break the silence between us. "And may I present my sister, Lady Meliana Shardae," I introduced. The woman inclined her head towards Mel.

"I am Kiesha Cobriana," she began, and turning to the other Serpiente she continued the introduction. "Brassal Prythion," a second woman nodded in answer, "Donte Taipanite," a male, "Danuta Bowav," and another man I could have mistook for Donte. Next Kiesha indicated a Serpent that seemed still a child in his gaze, though just as tall as Danuta, "Nikhil Mamban, our youngest," Nikhil seemed to shrug at this as Kiesha motioned then to a third male, "Nalini Claret." Nodding to another woman, "Isadora Vypriss." Kiesha motioned to the last Serpiente; one I had not taken notice of before because he was shielded by Danuta's stature. "And Landon Coahle," she finished.

I had met all the gazes of the Serpents, without hesitation to show respect for their positions. All eyes had been either black as night like Danuta's, Brassal's deep navy or garnet like Kiesha's. When I rested my gaze on Landon, two blazing emeralds stared back at me, unblinking.

Turning my attention away from the Serpiente named Landon, I spoke, "Welcome again, all of you. I hope your stay at the Hawk's Keep will be comfortable," I rephrased my greeting.

Kiesha bowed this time, knowing that young as I was—and no doubt appeared—I was Tuuli Thea.

"I have faith it will, Queen Alasdair," she said in a light tone, no trace of mock, or amusement in her words or eyes.

Leading the Serpiente from the many pairs of eyes that occupied the courtyard, we entered into the main entrance hall on the ground floor of the Keep, careful to act as mature and controlled as possible.

My attention on the eight Serpiente, I spoke. "Cairbre and Aderyn will show you to your chambers, located on the second floor of the Keep," I chose my own guard, knowing that I needed time alone with Mel after seeing her detached expression in the courtyard. Cairbre seemed to tense for a moment at the request, but complied and started for the passageway, Aderyn waiting for the Serpiente.

Kiesha nodded and followed Cairbre out of the hall. Her companions followed suit, two gazes resting on mine for a moment before leaving. The serpents Nalini and Landon were the last to disappear out of sight.

Only when all company, save my sister and I, was out of sight did I let out the breath I had been holding since I had stepped into the courtyard.