King's Throne(80)

“That’s not p-p-possible,” the man stuttered.
“Look into my eyes and tell me what you see.” Mitch allowed the heat of the mountain’s fiery depths to show in his eyes for a moment.
“Lava,” he whispered. “It burns!”
He got a little hysterical after that, falling back to land hard on the edge of the desk, his hands covering his eyes.
“Now you know the truth of it.” Mitch pulled back his power and adopted a bored stance. “You’re going to stand trial for crimes against the Clan.”
Mitch nodded to the Guards once more and watched with satisfaction as Sven was taken into custody. The ice palace had plenty of hidden, secure chambers where prisoners could be kept for years. Already, Mitch was adding to the number of prisoners kept there.
He’d freed anyone wrongfully imprisoned by Gisli and given them whatever assistance they needed to recuperate and rejoin their families if possible. Now he was filling the place with legitimate wrongdoers who would face judgment fair and square. As soon as the true extent of their crimes had been established and they had been questioned to Mitch’s satisfaction, the work of justice would proceed. Once he had all the information he could get out of them, he’d figure out what to do with them next.#p#分页标题#e#
Some would face the volcano’s wrath. Anyone who had sold his soul to the Venifucus would have to be cleansed in the Lady’s Light. What better way than to use the fire of Mother Earth ever-present in the Grim. There was a reason, after all, that the tigers of old had chosen this place to build their stronghold.
The rest of the villains would have to be dealt with according to the severity of their crimes. Already, Mitch was thinking of ways some of the lesser offenders could make it up to the Clan. Walter Sorenson, for one, could be useful—if he had truly repented.
Everything was coming together, and little by little, Mitch and Gina were weeding out the evil in their midst. It would take more time, but eventually they’d be free to get to the real work of rebuilding the Clan. They had plans to put in motion, including planning the mating ceremony and reception.
 
Gunnar had been helpful in clearing out the rooms used by Gisli’s pet mage. He could sense magic, but it took Mitch to go in and disarm the traps the mage had left behind. With the power of the mountain behind him, nothing the now-dead mage had set up could withstand his presence. Mitch didn’t fully understand magic, but at times like this, he gave himself up to the Goddess and let Her work through him.
In a locked box in a hidden compartment of the wardrobe, Mitch discovered something that made his stomach turn. He immediately sent for Gina and her parents, knowing that no matter how much this hurt, they needed to see it. They needed closure.
When they arrived, Mitch met them outside in the hallway—away from the residual taint of the mage who had lived in the rooms behind him. He held the box out before him and silently opened the lid.
Candis gasped and grabbed Gina’s arm for support. Frederick moved forward a step, tears in his eyes at the dazzling light coming from within the box.
“It’s the missing part of young Fridrik’s pelt. I recognize his scent and his magic. He was a truly dazzling white.” The old king’s voice cracked as he took the box into his hands and cradled it to his chest.
“I believe this is what was keeping Gisli white. The true white tiger pelt was used to mask Gisli’s blotchy brown. That is why the mage took it from your son in the first place,” Mitch said with regret. “I’m sorry, but at least now your son can be at peace in the next realm.”
Frederick bowed his head, tears rolling unheeded down his face as he turned to his wife and daughter. They huddled around him, arms linked around his shoulders, supporting each other in their moment of renewed grief.
At length, the old king and queen moved off down the hall and Gina came to Mitch’s side and walked with him. They wouldn’t wait. It was time to free the remaining part of Fridrick. They walked, people joining the silent procession as they went through the twisting halls and chambers of the stronghold. Whispers spread the word of what was occurring and the mood was somber and respectful.
Everyone who was able turned out to support the white tigers as they walked toward the sacred mountain. They went as far as they dared. The darkness of the night was lit by the light of a trillion stars and the welcoming red glow of the fissure in the earth that was their destination.
Of them all, only Mitch and Fredrick could withstand the heat of the earth at the mouth of the fissure. They left Gina and Candis some yards behind them, clinging to each other. The two men were protected from the searing heat by the Lady’s magic, Her chosen warriors.