Return of the Crimson Guard/Chapter 12

__NOTOC__
==Li Heng==
The Crimson Guard leaders meet emissaries from the Malazans outside Li Heng. Each side declines to surrender, and prepares for the battle.
After hours of stand-off, the fighting gradually begins. The Malazan skirmishers approach Shimmer's troops and are repelled by her Mages. Then she and her subordinates are attacked by several Claw assassins. One, a Mage, pulls her into the Shadow Warren while magically throttling her. She manages to kill him, and is then expelled from Shadow by Edgewalker; but he first mentions that K'azz is also there, and Shimmer is able to contact him telepathically. He tells her that it was Skinner and Cowl who betrayed him.
==Unta==
Mallick Rel hires a boat to take him across the Untan harbour so that he can contact Mael and remonstrate with him. However Mael is no longer under his control: the local population have sensed his presence and have been worshipping him in their own fashion, which has freed him from Mallick's Jhistal ties. Mael transports him to Cawn.
12