Don't have much to say—other than I love my reviewers so far! This chap's a bit longer, but I think my age may have shown through in this chapter—or at least in the way I wrote it. Let me know and do review! One word can be as powerful as a hundred of them.

Chapter Four
Truth to tell, at the time I was startled by the directness I saw in Landon Coahle's eyes. But then, I couldn't name what I felt.

Smoothing out my gold tunic and pants slightly ruffled by my quick shift of forms, I held his emerald gaze with my own golden one.

Now having the chance to get a better look at him I realized just how dark Landon's hair was against his paled skin. With his hair shadowing his eyes, the two green emeralds seemed bright against the contrast. He was dressed in all black, what looked like a tunic only more fitting, and shimmering in the sunlight I some areas around his collar and cuffs. For a Serpiente, even he seemed to stand with a certain confidence though he seemed as casual as ever in his stature. From where I stood I knew I was at least a foot shorter than him. How different we must have looked, I in earth tones lined with gold and Landon dark as night, except for the pallor of his skin.

But I was fourteen, and didn't have power over my feelings then.

His voice broke the silence between us. "I had to see the rumor of your ability proved true," Landon began in a cool tone. His eyes glanced over my body for a few moments as if inspecting what he saw. The heat rose to my cheeks without consent.

Luckily, confusion broke my silence.

Rumor of my ability? Landon Coahle had to have proof that I could shapeshift into a hawk? Deciding to remain as calm as he seemed, I countered, "And what does rumor say of my ability to shapeshift?"

Landon seemed to consider my words for a moment before answering, his emerald gaze still penetrating as ever. At last he spoke. "Kiesha was the first to tell us of a rising city in the north, led by the fabled golden Queen Alasdair." The words were not mocking, in fact they seemed to be spoken with an odd tone of reverence in them, but that was under layers of Serpiente control. And at the mention of my name I felt my gaze falter.

Was Mel right? Had word of the Hawk's Keep reached the Serpiente Palace? Had it reached across the lands to Egypt where I had studied the Dasi once dwelled? And if so, how long had they known about the new Queen? All these questions sent shards of uncertainty and doubt into me as Landon continued watch me carefully. Thankfully, he continued so I could not have to speak.

A faint trace of irony shadowed Landon's emerald gaze. "All accounts referred to you as the golden one—a Queen not yet of age but of maturity, gifted with the second form of a hawk," he said just as smoothly as before, recounting what had become my life. I didn't know what he meant by telling me this—that he knew as much about me as I did him? Though the words seemed they could have come from a book. The comment sounded rehearsed...but how much of Queen Alasdair had reached his lands? I didn't know. But because he knew as much left an unsettling feeling in me.

He was taller than me, stronger, and had a more deadly second form. He was a stranger, a Serpiente, and we were alone in an isolated hallway. I knew–

All I knew was that I needed to break away from that penetrating gaze.

Collecting my thoughts, I decided on a diplomatic answer. Landon had already caught me off guard once; I wasn't going to let it happen again.

"It was a blessing from our sun god, one that my people look to strength for." For an answer, I knew it wasn't a whole one. And that was only confirmed when I heard Landon sigh, as if in resign to my response.

After a moment he spoke again, his expression changing. "Does your sun god smile upon your decision in letting Serpiente into the Hawk's Keep?"

It was a serious question, yet amusement accompanied the inquiry in his tone. "Our god smiles upon all opportunities," I replied coolly.

For the first time, Landon smiled. And what made me question him was a faint glimmer that flashed in his emerald eyes, but as soon as I saw white fangs flash in the sunlight I felt my body tense.

They don't earn their title by the way they dress, I mused.

"All?" He said, raising an eyebrow. He'd been leaning against the wall, arms crossed, shoulders square. Now he pushed off from the wall and took a step towards me.

"Alasdair!"

My head jerked in the direction of Cairbre's voice, and away from Landon's gaze. My guard was at the end of the hall, walking towards Landon and I at a fast pace. He glanced from the Serpiente to me before speaking, though thankfully, it was not regarding my current company though I could tell he wanted to comment on that particular subject.

"Kienn and Mason are fighting. Aderyn is doing what she can, but I think you need to settle it," he said. Then added, "Again."

"They're always at ends, what is it about this time?" I asked somewhat with a sigh. This was not a new trick for the two. Kienn and Mason, who were both two years older than I and were known to start fights. Often the quarrels remained amongst themselves, a few black eyes and sprained wrists–both of which were received with the impetuous glares of the healers' rebuking who had the duty of tending to them when they were injured. It was never very serious–except for the loser of the skirmishes. And as soon as a guard would step in they would obligingly stop.

"Mayra," he answered, a smile in the corner of his mouth.

Cairbre may have been able to control his amusement, but I couldn't. I let out something between a sigh and a huff as I registered what he had said.

"I'll fly down at once. For now, I think Aderyn would welcome your company?" I prompted. Cairbre cast another glance at Landon, though to my relief he did not challenge his gaze, then gave a nod and turned and left the hall. I don't think I could take any more criticism of any Serpiente for that day. Mel had been trial enough.

Letting out another sigh I turned again to Landon, my head now clear of my earlier confusion. "If you will excuse me, there is some foolishness taking place in the Market that I must attend to. I trust you can find your way to your chambers?" Surprised at the smoothness of my tone, I was sure not to hold Landon's gaze for so long.

The Serpiente nodded, his smile gone, but his emerald gaze still strong as ever.

I took my chance and turned to the ledge of the hall and stepped forward, shapeshifting in the air, catching a shallow draft before descending strait into the Market Square, not caring to in the private of a hall first. It was showing off, but I couldn't help it.

My feet hit the ground with a silent thud as I spotted Kienn and Mason several paces from me, faces contorted in anger.