The Crimson Mystic Legacy Chapter 12: Chapter 12: The Plot

Read chapter 12 of The Crimson Mystic Legacy by CRIMODAS on NovelPedia.

The Mystic In Mandalo: Part 4 --- Recon (Chapters 12 - ?) ______________________________________ Uzi limped through Mandalo's winding streets; borrowed cane tapping against bright cobblestones. Every corner was a new explosion of color: white walls washed in sunlight; doors painted sapphire and emerald; orange roofs glowing like fresh coals. Laundry fluttered overhead like prayer flags; gulls screamed over the harbor; someone's radio drifted a jaunty guitar tune down a side street. He couldn't stop staring. How had he spent eternity judging worlds and never once seen a place this alive? A narrow alley caught his eye; shadows pooled deep between two buildings; a handful of rough types lounging against the walls; cigarettes glowing. At the very back, half-hidden under a sagging awning, was a plain wooden door lit by a single weak bulb. Curiosity tugged harder than caution. Uzi angled the cane and shuffled closer. A mountain of a man unfolded from the doorway; easily seven feet tall; shoulders wide enough to block the sun. Arms like bridge cables; no name tag; no expression. He looked down at Uzi the way a cliff looks down at a pebble. "What's this place?" Uzi asked; tilting his head toward the door. The giant's voice rumbled out, deep enough to rattle ribs. "Stairs. Way down to the boss." Uzi blinked. "The boss of what?" The man just stared; silent; immovable. Before Uzi could push the question, his gaze snagged on a public clock bolted to the alley wall. The hands read ten minutes to dawn. Ten minutes. Guntic had said the boat leaves at first light. Panic flashed hot. "Shit-" He spun; cane clacking hard against stone as he bolted back the way he came. His half-healed foot screamed; the scar across his torso pulled with every stride; but he ran anyway. Cane stabbing the ground for balance; lungs burning; orange roofs blurring overhead. He tore around corners; past startled vendors opening stalls; past cats and laundry lines and the smell of fresh bread. The harbor bell began to toll; one low note that meant the tide was turning . Uzi gritted his teeth and pushed faster; pain be damned. He had a boat to catch. Uzi raced down the road; his cane clacking wildly against the cobblestones; breath coming in sharp bursts. The harbor loomed ahead; masts swaying like fingers against the pink dawn sky; the smell of salt and fish guts thick in the air. He skidded onto the docks; boots slipping on dew-slick wood; and spotted the boat tied at the end pier. No more than fifty feet long; weathered hull painted faded blue; sails furled tight. Guntic sat in a rocking chair near the helm; pipe clenched in his teeth; giving Uzi a glare that could curdle milk. Uzi stumbled to a stop; gasping. "Sorry... got held up..." Guntic grunted; rocked once; didn't stand. "Boats don't wait for stragglers. Hop on before I change my mind." Uzi tossed the cane aboard first; then vaulted the rail; landing with a thud that jarred his half-healed foot. He straightened; opened his mouth to explain the alley detour to Guntic; when a creak echoed from the cabin door. An older woman stepped out; tall as a mast herself; around six foot three; skinny and lean like wind-whipped reed. Thick glasses perched on her nose; hiding her eyes behind tinted lenses; hair pulled back in a severe bun streaked with gray. "I'm Garnet," she said; voice crisp and no-nonsense; extending a hand like a challenge. Uzi shook it; her grip firm enough to crunch bones. "Uzi. Who-" Guntic rose from his chair; blew Garnet a kiss with a wink. "She's my wife! And that old friend we're rescuing? Her childhood pal. She's known Rowan longer than me; figured she'd tag along to keep us in line." Garnet rolled her eyes behind the glasses; but a faint smile tugged her lips. "Someone has to." Uzi was a little surprised. In the wagon, Guntic said he only had two people waiting for him, but now with Dr. Voss, Garnet, and Rowen, that's three. Uzi decided not to think about it right now. Uzi nodded; greeted them b