The Raptors

Within the Falcon Mountains, and for which the mountain range is named, live a highly intelligent branch of the Avian Tree. These Raptors were adept hunters, and immediately displayed intelligence to the two-legged neighbours that moved in nearby. A treaty of sorts was created in order to save the avians from extinction due to a mammal too small for the winged predators to reliably catch.

The Raptors, named for the bond between avian and rider, benefit from mutual dwelling. From the beginning it was obvious that the avians possessed a keen intelligence, but without our intervention, their time would have come. The small mammal that fed on the fresh eggs of the avians were controlled, and nearly eliminated from the Falcon range, and a bond formed.
From the early years of both species, avian and rider were raised together. At first they only served as messengers and scouts, but as relations with the Humans to the South deteriorated, they were called up to play a role in the general military forces.

The name of this unit is derived from the main allies that make the unit possible.  The giant hawks are limited in numbers and so the need for an entry requirement.  The first is the entrant must be a proficient rider, and the other that they be excellent marksmen.  The uniqueness of this unit is that they are trained on the backs of the giant hawks, and only 1,000 can be in training at any one time.  The other interesting thing to note is that individual riders don’t have their own mounts unless one of the hawks chooses one.  This has led to a further 1,000 fighting pairs that often serve as messengers for the king and the other heads of families.