King's Throne(52)

And if that granite was as thick as it looked, Mitch doubted anything short of a bunker-buster bomb would make a dent in it. He ushered Gina inside as others began to arrive. The queen met them all at the door, her lips tight as she directed everyone to the war room.
They’d named it aptly. Two floors down into the bedrock of the mountain, the war room could hold them all—and there was quite a crowd gathering. Representatives from every Guard family on the mountain filtered into the space. Mitch had met a few of the other families as he’d prowled the perimeter of the mountain over the past week, but he knew the Millers best.
Paul Miller was sitting with his brother Tad and his wife, Mandy. Her mother, Hilda, was seated on her other side. Mitch recognized a few other people from the dojo, where various neighbors had come to meet Mitch and train over the past few afternoons.
Gina gave Mitch a quick tour of the facility while they waited for everyone to gather. There were state-of-the-art monitoring systems that showed all points on the mountain. There were also maps and banks of computers that held who knew what kinds of information.
Mitch was impressed. This was a real control center. He could see the house above and the perimeter already guarded by groups of tigers in human and shifted form. They weren’t easy to spot, but Mitch knew what he was looking for. Despite that, he was impressed by the skill of the Old Guard—as he’d heard those who had gone with the king into exile call themselves.
When Frederick and Candis entered, the energy in the room crackled. They came right up to Mitch and Gina and the king held out his hand. Mitch knew what he wanted. Mitch had already examined the small piece of paper with all the tools available to him and didn’t think it was dangerous in itself. It was the message it held that was the real danger. Mitch handed it over with grim stoicism.
The king unrolled it and read it, his lips turning down in to a troubled frown. He paused a moment before turning to the assembly.
“You know the bare bones of what has happened. An arrow was shot at Mitch and Gina while they prowled near the southeastern perimeter. We logged the intrusion at oh-seven-twenty-six and have video surveillance of a rented car speeding away down Dawson Road shortly thereafter. Heat signatures indicate two humans inside. Enhancement shows what is likely a compound bow lying across the back seat.”#p#分页标题#e#
Mitch was impressed all over again by the technology the king had at his command. They were even better equipped than he’d thought.
“The message wrapped around the arrow,” the king went on, “reads as follows. ‘By right of Rule, I, Gisli of House Scangarten, invoke challenge upon the tiger known as Mitch, for I know my brother is too cowardly to face me in single combat himself’.”
Candis placed her hand over her husband’s, which had started to tremble with anger.
“It is not cowardice that keeps me from shedding his blood,” the king growled. “And he knows it!”
“We all know it, majesty.” Paul Miller stood, his voice filled with the conviction of his beliefs. “We, born of the Old Guard, know the truth of the matter and we support you to our dying breath.”
Around the room, everyone added their agreement with Paul’s bold words. Mitch realized these Guards—both the ones who had gone with the king into exile and their children—understood better than any others why Frederick had chosen the path they were all on together.
The king bowed his head for a short moment, visibly calming. “Thank you, my friends. You all know this has not been an easy existence for me, my family and all of you and your families. Yet we were not given much choice. The Mother of All sets our path and we must follow it as best we can.”
Paul sat down again at the king’s gesture and the mood changed in the room once more. King Frederick seemed to firm his resolve as he brought up displays on one wall.
“Those of you born here or who left our chosen homeland when you were too small to really know it will need to look at these maps. The rest of us will have to study up on them as well. Things have changed since last we walked the ice fields of home.”
“We’re going back?” Mandy’s mother asked, her tone hopeful.
“If the Mother of All wills it. But first, a small group will go. With Mitch.”
All eyes turned to Mitch. He felt the weight of their regard and realized this was what every moment since he’d awakened from the poison had been leading toward.
“I’m going too,” Gina piped up beside him.
He wanted to argue, but he knew they should not—could not—be parted. Not now. Their tigers demanded they stay close by each other. They were mates and they needed to face adversity together.