This is my first fanfic on this site, so be nice (: Any feedback is much appreciated, and I am aware that I am taking liberties with the story. Chapters are probably going to be kinda short until I get more feedback so I know how I'm doing.
Obviously I don't own Hawksong or anything in it, you know the drill. Hope you like it, and thanks for reading!

Seamus Blacktalon stood at attention, his left hand grasping his right wrist. He could sense his cousin, Graeff, behind him doing the same as they looked on. Seamus was unsure what to do or say, so he did what he did best; he was a soldier following protocol. He watched, helpless, as Danica Shardae, the heir to the Tuuli Thea knelt beside a fallen boy, no older than seventeen.

Danica Shardae had a classical, captivating beauty; proud and free as any hawk should be, with the iron will and reserve of the avian race. Her skin was bronzed by hours exposed to the sun, and her hair was a river of flowing gold. If one parted it from the back, it would expose russet hawk's feathers growing from the nape of her neck, just as one would find on any avian.

Seamus watched as her mouth dropped open of its own accord, and for a moment she looked as though she might scream. Her eyes were filled with pain for the briefest of moments before her expression returned to stoic and composed. Instead of a shriek of grief, all that came from the heir was a little sigh. Seamus felt a great pride rise in his chest for the girl as she managed to remain calm. Any display of emotion would have been unseemly for a princess of her station, and she was careful to give away nothing, even when she was only around the Royal Flight, as all avians would consider proper. Even with her brother lying dead at her feet, Danica was a pillar of strength for her subjects to follow. Truly, she was worthy of her mother's throne.

Covered in blood, the boy on the ground beside her did not stir as his sister stared into his lifeless face, his golden eyes shut forever. His complexion, once a glowing gold like his sisters' had faded into a dull gray as death took him into its embrace. Xavier Shardae had been the last of Danica's living siblings, the oldest living child of the Tuuli Thea Nacola Shardae, and the last male of the Shardae line.

Xavier had also been the closest thing to a brother Seamus had ever had.

Rage such as he had never known, and quite unfit for one of his race and rank, welled up inside of him. He clenched his teeth briefly and exhaled, trying to follow Danica's example, and felt the anger subside slightly. Seamus felt the weight of a hand on his shoulder and didn't have to turn to know who it belonged to.

"Graeff, it is improper," he told his cousin tersely. He could already feel the eyes of the other guards on him, and knew they would disapprove of his cousin's freeness with contact. The hand drew back, and he heard a note of chagrin in his young relative's voice.

"I am sorry."

Seamus knew Graeff's apology was meant for both the unseemly touch and the death of Seamus' closest friend, but his anger had yet to abate and he felt a touch of resentment at the embarrassment.

Seamus nodded to Graeff, giving away nothing.

Andreios, commander of the Royal Flight and another of Seamus' close friends, turned to the two young Blacktalon men.

"Please take Xavier's body back to the Keep," he spoke softly as he addressed Seamus, knowing the bond that had existed between him and the prince, but his voice still rang with authority and left no room for argument. Seamus regretted that he would not be able to stay and protect his Tuuli Thea, but duty to both his commander and Xavier overrode anything else.

Andreios, more commonly known as Rei to his friends, had grown up with Danica, and they had been companions since they were small children. It was common knowledge that Rei had saved her life when she had come looking for him on the battle field after the death of his father. Andreios had been eleven when he took a serpent's bite for Danica, resulting in a vicious scar on his skin that had become legend amongst the Royal Flight, and all of those who aspired to guard the Tuuli Thea.

Suddenly, a voice rose above the vulture's cries, calling out to the avian guards for help. It was most likely male and very young, and it sounded as though it was coming from the woods. As one, the Royal Flight drew their blades, encircling Danica, including Seamus and Graeff; any other orders they had received forgotten in light of what could be an ambush.

Andreios reached out and caught Danica, who had been trying to walk past the Royal Flight to go to the aid of whoever called for it.

"Not that one, milady."
The rest of the guards exchanged glances, and an unspoken knowledge passed between them. There was only reason Andreios would both lay a hand on Danica and forbid his Tuuli Thea from helping a fallen solider in the same breath.

Snake.