Dominant Species by Guy Pettengell

knife between his fingers as if he had no interest at all in the conversation. ‘My Lord, if his position were to be further weakened by yet another failure to stop the resistance, then perhaps the time would be right to challenge him under the Ancient Code?’
    Rodan raised his eyebrows, ‘ Although I desire his place Keermit, I’d rather remain in one piece to take it, he said.’
    Keermit smiled. ‘I wasn’t thinking of you, my love ,’ she ran a long finger down his cheek, ‘…no; I believe we can turn Karick’s strength to our advantage?’
    Rodan looked at her quizzically.
    ‘But who could defeat him? If the stories are even half true…’ He looked to Zidtool who held up his hands in a gesture of surrender.
    ‘In all honesty probably no one ...’ continued Keermit, ‘…but they won’t need to.’
    Rodan frowned, not following her train of thought. Keermit pressed on patiently.
    ‘If Karick is as strong as people say he is… and I have no doubt that he is, then what better demonstration of the council’s dissatisfaction with him than a challenge, despite the overwhelming risk. I mean, wouldn’t a hopeless challenge with no chance of winning say more to the Queen about how we all feel, than a challenge that had even a small chance to succeed?’
    Rodan smiled as he began to understand, his canines glinting in the room’s dim light.
    ‘ If such a desperate challenge were to be made, then the Queen would have no choice but to take note,’ Rodan added thoughtfully.
    ‘Exactly , and then my Lord, who would be best placed to provide her with the support and guidance that she needs in order to reunite the vampires, thereby averting a war?’
    ‘I fear we shall make a politician of you yet, Keermit. All we need now is someone foolish enough to make the challenge, all for the better good , of course.’
     
     
    In the remains of the secretariat building of the United Nations, Drameer stood silently by the large picture windows staring out at nothing in particular. Behind him Karick and Voltan entered the room in the middle of a heated conversation.
    ‘My Lord that was as bad as I've seen them ,’ he closed the door behind them, ‘They have become far too restless. I sense great danger, and Rodan - ’
    ‘- Rodan has shown his hand, nothing more ,’ replied Karick with irritation flaring in his voice.
    ‘I fear you are wrong, my friend,’ Interjected Drameer quietly, ‘and I fear Voltan’s concerns only begin to touch the surface.’
    Karick turned, realising for the first time that they weren’t alone. He took a deep breath before speaking again, this time his voice was far more measured.
    ‘Speak Drameer , what are your thoughts on tonight’s events?’
    ‘You have known for some time where Rodan stands. Tonight has certainly confirmed that but…’ he paused, careful of what he was going to say next.
    Both Karick and Voltan waited patiently.
    ‘He has come out of the shadows now and tested you ,’ Drameer continued.
    ‘ Unfortunately, I think he may have also set the balance to win the first battle.’
    ‘In what way?’ challenged Karick, but without any anger in his voice.
    ‘He has challenged you on where you stand in front of the Council … and survived. Moreover he has forced you to make a pledge in front of your peers. Now, if you don’t succeed in stopping the resistance you will be seen to fail, considered to be weak, having failed in your pledge.’
    ‘Then I shall have to make sure that I don’t fail, won’t I?’ replied Karick with a slight edge of despair and impatience.
    ‘ Indeed. But even if you do… even if you succeed as you have promised, Rodan will say that it was he who forced you into action. Either way he wins favour with the Queen, as well as with the rest of the Council.’
    Drameer turned from the window to face his Master. ‘The Queen is unstable and remains uneasy. She needs the council’s full support to quell the potential conflict and unrest