Bred For Extinction

The Future Discussed

The place they have gathered is secure. Seven have come, but six look to one at this time of distress. He stands, heavy-hearted, knowing what must be said to the rest. Still, he lets his vision swing about the chamber, admiring the furnishings.

The underground liar is immense and decorated lavishly. Velvet cushions line the immaculate seats in which all sit. The table that they assemble about is stunning, streaked with marble inserts and strong beyond compare. The walls and floor, also marble, are covered with the most amazing tapestries, gracing pictures of haunting history. It is this history that has made all here what they are...kings and dictators of immense kingdoms. A flowing, underground river slides by the gathering, the rushing sound of its' movement barely noticeable.

Andrastre still stands, bringing his attention back from past times. His strong stature and chiseled features rise well above the rest, and finally does his voice flow with the utmost of concern, "I have called us all here for reasons that you all most surely know by now."

All eyes flash across the congregation, then hang low, knowing the announcement that is to come.

Andrastre continues, "I am the eldest here, and I give gratitude that you have all came at my wish. But, the news is not good, as you all have undoubtedly already heard. Our safeguard has been defeated. Penduran is dead."

All faces turn solemn. Even though all already knew the fact, the words strike harder now that Andrastre has affirmed the information.

Silence takes over the room, most unsure of the future, and so Andrastre knows he must continue, "The question is...how do we rectify this moment of weakness in our race and our families?"

An answer comes, but not from were the others wish, "It is just a wolf that has taken out Penduran. I fear no single wolf. Penduran had grown careless." Roudantrey, master of the sixth house, voices his opinion to the dismay of the rest.

Andrastre shakes his head, knowing the audaciousness of Roudantrey would show at some time during the meeting, "As have you too; grown fat, lazy, and careless in the running of your family. If those are your true thoughts, that Penduran was 'careless', then I'm sure we will be looking for a new family leader soon. Quiet your tongue with your smug comments...we are here for a solution, not to hear from an overconfident child."

Roudantrey accepts the comments, allowing anger to build, knowing he is low in the chain here, but still he cannot resist one last shot spoken in a whisper, "You are only upset because Penduran was your boy...your child"

Fingers raise to stroke the bridge of Andrastre's nose, trying to hold his temper, and just as new words begin to form on his tongue another stands and begins to speak.

"What if the wolf unites the packs?" Amarantra's words strike home, building on Andrastre's fears.

"Thank you, dear sister. You have taken the words from my mouth," hands show acceptance from Andratre as he speaks, acknowledging the voice of the third family.

Still, Roudantrey bucks, "What, A few mangy groups of flea-bitten runts? They pose no problem or concern"

Thane, of the fifth house, jumps at the words, "Your words truly show how long you have kept yourself out of the world. The packs have grown in population. We are not even sure how many packs might exist."

"He is correct," the voice that slips from Agathone, of the fourth house, sparks alarm. "Even though this wolf is a huge threat, the greater worry is if he can unify the packs again."

Spurius growls, tired of all the chatter, "This time the witches will not lead the war...the wolves will. I think we all know that the thirst of the wolves runs much deeper than that of the witches. The witches fought for survival, but the wolves fight for hunger. This will be a completely different war. The hags defended, but the dogs will attack. I have been leader of the second family for longer than I can even remember, but the one thing that I know is that we must turn to our eldest in this time...Andrastre. He has never failed me, nor will he fail any of us."

Another authority lends language, that of Ravid, leader of the seventh and final family, "Then what would our eldest suggest."

Andrastre still strokes his chin, awaiting another comment, but when none come, he lets wisdom flow and soak into the younger, "I called us all together, and am here to ask all of you to end our border disputes, We all have plenty of territory, and I see no need for the squabbling between our families for small chunks of land. We should pull back, secure our borders, and end all our petty quarrels."

Roudantrey again speaks his mind, "That is easy for you to say...you have the largest family and the most land."

Andrastre's nose wrinkles in an uptight pose, "Now is not the time to be jealous. None of us are in need of more power at this time. Now is the time to be wary of the wolf. I am asking for a truce between us all."

An echo rings through the chamber, "A truce? Haaahahahahaha". The laughter seems to come from afar, but as all attention is drawn to the source; a single, brown-hooded figure glides over the rushing water of the underground river that separates the entrance from the meeting. A single flash shines, that of a plain silver cross that dangles from the person's neck.

All peer up from down-trotted stares to find the source of the scorn, but upon seeing the cloaked visitor, all stand and even more quickly drop to knees, their heads bowing forward in respect.

"Stand you fools. Your groveling means nothing to me. Should I wish to destroy any in this room, your bows and licking of my feet would mean nothing. However, I am surprised that all of you would gather in one place. Andrastre, I take it you arranged this?"

The rest are amazed at how even Andrastre shows signs of nervousness in the presence of Emryss, The Lord of the Race. Andrastre's voice is slow, thinking, and shaky as he addresses his master, "I did, Lord.Emryss. Penduran is dead. We must all come together and decide how to move forward."

"You wish to move forward? You have all grown like fatted cows over the eons, nothing like you were when I created any of you. Penduran protected you all forever, now what will you do?" A chuckle erupts, leading into a raspy loss of breath. "I care nothing for any of you," Emryss makes his way to the leader of the sixth house, gently rubbing the stiff hair that grows on Roudantre's scalp before kicking the chair from beneath him. "You should offer me a seat. Have I no respect from my children?"

Andrastre knows he must act, hoping to calm Emryss, and hopefully save the life of a family leader, "None of you, or me, make a difference to Lord Emryss. Should any of us fall, there are many other children that can replace our sorry existence. True, it would cause a major gap in our foundation, and your children would all be useless...but another would fill our shoes readily. We were all chosen for a reason; and I, particularly, would dislike having to watch another family have to build. I believe in the balance we have all achieved, and even though we have all had differences in the past, we must realize the strength of the grand plan, and work together for all our benefit."

Emryss's features still lie hidden, but the hood that shrouds those features turns, awaiting another to speak.

It is ultimately Amaranta that questions, gaze hard on Andrastre, "What are we to do?"

Andrastre beams slightly from the show of respect that has finally come, "Secure our borders and hold strong your territory. Send word throughout the region about the threat. Place spies to catch word of any wolf activity, and most important, awaken from hibernation any of your sleeping giants and champions that slumber...bring them close for protection."

Spurius rubs his forehead in haste, "But this will take time. What if the wolf strikes faster than us?"

Andrastre's mouth starts to open, yet before words begin to flow, the brown-cloaked master-of-all stands, making his way for an exit. A laughter begins soft, then erupts from an aged throat that rattles like rotted paper in the wind, "Then run, children. Run like the sheep that you have all become."