Shadow Moon lay sprawled out atop one of the giant mushroom that grew in the immense cave known as Valkardians "garden." It had been three days since he had sent her back ahead of him since he was too busy raising the dead trog's for use in his army or as servants, a process she had seen a little of and found too disturbing to watch and had instead been sent back to her new "home" to rest while be took care of that and "other matters" that she did not wish to ask about. One of the first things upon her return was to take a bath and clean weapons, armor and hand the now ruined tunic and pants she had been wearing off to a servant. Resting on the top of the giant, flat mushroom cap had been a whimsical idea to get a better view of the immense cave and also partly out of privacy from prying eyes; she had a strong feeling she was being watched at times and right now that was the last thing she wanted, this was her time to rest and relax.

Rolling onto her stomach and staring out at the distant gate that led through the impenetrable wall which sealed off the cave from the outside world many thoughts continued to plague her mind. Foremost was how Valkardian had simply left her yet again to fend for herself more or less without so much as a second though. He had not even bothered to collect all the leftover fire crystals that still remained in her belt pouch for whatever reason. Surely he knew that with so many days at her disposal it would be quite easy to collect enough water and rations to make an escape and with the crystals, a clear understanding of how his fortifications worked (or did not at times) as well as how the soldiers behaved... Well if nothing else she could make a damned good attempt at getting away and Shadow was certain there was even a map tucked away somewhere in the endless labyrinth of a library to aid in her escape if she had only bothered to look. Why hadn't she looked?

Ruby was mucking out the compost bin in the distance and that only brought more questions to mind: Valkardian was acting awfully strange towards her anymore. True, he was still staying locked away in his laboratory or private study but the more she thought about it the stranger it became. More than once she swore he had smiled at her not because of circumstance but just from seeing her assuming of course that twitch at the side of his face was indeed a smile. Little things that just kept adding up and making her wonder more and more about what he was really thinking and had planned for her. Then again how could she find out? Asking him would only cause problems and then again he could always lie though she not think of one single instance when he had ever lied to her; he was far too honest for that. The battle with the trog chieftain came back to mind and while it was quite fuzzy and put her nerves on edge a single image kept coming back to mind: Valkardians face.

While everything else may have been fuzzy one of the last things she clearly remembered was how he had put his hand over hers as she sat on the corpse shaking and stared into her eyes not with that blank, dead expression he always wore. No, she could swear his face was a mixture of pride and deep seeded worry for her well being. Valkardian had even carried her off to his tent and seen after her while also leaving a servant behind to keep an eye on her well-being. He could have just as easily left her at her own tent on makeshift bedding but had instead elected to keep her closer to his person. What game was he playing? Was it all a game? Once Shadow had caught him muttering to himself that she was too amusing but that would not explain everything only a part of his actions.

How could she find out the truth? What would she have to do, without asking that would result in a clear answer as to what he truly thought of her and find out once and for all if she was indeed still a slave or had become more. How... Sitting up and stretching her wings out till they shuddered slightly Shadow shifted into a sitting position and stretched her back. It was wonderful to be out of all that armor again. Blinking slowly and staring off at the lake as if it held some deep, hidden answer to her questions a possibility flared to mind. It was insane, risky, dangerous and could very easily get her into a whole mess of trouble but then again it might also yield everything and more. Shadow cracked a devious grin and gathering her clothing flittered up into the air and off to the lake. Valkardian had stated his intentions with absolute clarity more than two years ago now but that did not mean intentions did not change. This plan just might work.

Valkardian stepped through the portal and breathed a great sigh of relief as he walked briskly down the halls of his palace. Such massive summoning's always took it out of him for a few weeks, raising an army of skeletons in the thousands at one time was no easy task even with his extensive knowledge, training, crystals to enhance the spells power and a summoning chamber covered in runes and inscriptions all boosting his power. It would be nice to get out of his robes and dawn something clean for the first time in a week. Everything smelled like rotting flesh and other unmentionable things but that was the price he had to pay to maintain his empire of solitude, a price he was willing to pay if it meant what lay above stayed above.

First things first though, a bath, change of clothes and something to eat. Yes, that would do nicely. Shadow? Hmm... No, he wanted to sleep and that meant... Well he would make arrangements for that later, besides she should be waking up soon and they could simply trade off sleeping times. Why in the hell was he thinking that? He could just kick her out of the bedroom and lock the door. No, he was not going to do that to her. Continuing his brisk pace down the hallway another matter popped to mind: her broken amulet. It was ancient to begin with and was not one of his finest works, farthest from it in fact considering it was one of his most ancient attempts and was not really meant for what it had suffered. Well that mattered little now. The amulet had done its duty above and beyond in protecting her from a blow that would had not only killed a pony but reduced them to a puddle of goo or driven them like stake into the stone floor.

What to replace it with however was a new problem. He had taken one of the oldest left and given it to her figuring it would be enough and it HAD been but then again it was a museum piece more than anything else which narrowed the possibilities down. That only left the "newest" of the collection he had kept and they were... Unique... Compared to the older ones. Was it wise to give her one of his better ones? Maybe, maybe not. Shadow had made no attempt to escape during her week off despite having more than enough means to have done so now that he thought about it, she was no fool either and he was willing to bet she had thought about it and figured it all out but had chosen NOT to. Fear? No. One thing was certain now and that was she had little to no fear of him anymore not that she ever really "feared" him after that first week anyway. Oh well, she would be the recipient of one of his finer works of art.

A servant had come to collect her after breakfast and was now leading her off to her "masters" private study. Shadow had seen him return and his haggard appearance was all the indication she needed that it was now or never to put her little plan into motion. Though it was a simple plan, even childish it would probably work perfectly against someone who liked to overthink things like Valkardian did. The last thing he would ever suspect would be this little set up of hers and if it panned out...

The silver door was open as she entered the room and Valkardian quietly stood up and collected an ornate box from his desk and approached her. It was an opulent stone box with elaborate silver inlaid swirls and an engraving of a shield. Valkardian simply held it out to her and Shadow carefully took the box and opened it. Her eyes lit up at the contents of the box, while the box had been beautifully done the amulet inside was breathtaking in design and inlay. A medium sized amulet lay in the center of the box with silver chain and lifting it from its confines to get a better look her eyes only widened at finely crafted and detailed it was. It was made from gold with silver edges that seemed to bend and swirl gracefully outlining the amulet, runes were inlaid in a black or red metal of some kind in a rounded pattern that enhanced the beauty of the bright blue gem in the center which seemed to be pulsing as if alive with bending and twisting magical powers.

Jaw hanging open as she continued to hold the amulet as if it were a delicate flower that would be destroyed with the slightest movement Shadow began to wonder if she still needed her plan but decided she would enact it soon enough, tonight in fact, she had to know now more than ever.

"That is a replacement for the one you lost to that chieftain you killed. You will find this one has many more... Attributes to it than your old one if you focus on it, the rest is written on the inside of the lid and since you read Krethe it should not be a problem."

Staring at the inscriptions inside the lid Shadow smiled to herself. It was indeed written in her language and as she kept reading her smile only grew at what the amulet did simply by wearing it. Shadow topped reading for a moment as a thought panged in the back of her mind: when did she stop considering Equus "her" language and had instead adopted "Krethe" was her native language? Quickly looking up at Valkardian she beamed at him "Thank you Valkardian, this is a most wonderful gift! Thank you!"

It was her first little stunt and it had been ad-libbed to fit the situation at hand and it had worked! Not only did he not reprimand her for leaving off "master" but instead he had that weird little smile of his written clearly on his face and his eyes showed only happiness as he quickly went back to his usual dead look before sitting. So far so good.

"Good, now I am going to rest while you do... Whatever you were going to do, you will act as servant at dinner tomorrow when I am not as tired. Oh, you are also going to go on vacation soon so think about what you plan to take. Now off with you." Waving a hand Valkardian ushered her out and the servant led her away and back to the central hallway before leaving her to her own thoughts.

Putting on the amulet Shadow felt its power course through her body making her stronger, faster and in general much harder to kill, it was a good feeling, a powerful feeling. Was Valkardian insane? Who would ever allow a mere slave to possess such an artifact of immense power? Then again this was only her second enchanted item besides those crystals. Maybe he trusted her not to try anything? Arrogance? No, he had smiled and that meant there was far more to this. Continuing to walk slowly down the hall holding the amulet up in front of her face something else slapped her all at once: vacation?

So this week off was not her vacation? Where were they going? No he had said SHE was going on a vacation so that meant he was probably not going to follow her wherever it was she was being sent. The caves? Above? Another ruin? Where? It was not long before her pace became a happy little skip down the hallway and into the gardens. What would she take or would he pack for her again? How much would be provided or was he sending her off into the wilds to fend for herself? That sounded glorious but also terrifying to a small degree since she knew what lurked in the shadows of the expansive cave network beyond the protection of the walls. No, she would focus on her plan instead, she was going to be his serving girl again and that meant small talk but this time it would be more than that. Shadow could only hope this part of her plan did not bring his wrath down on her but still, it was worth a shot be it a long one.

Shadow dawned her special set of clothing for serving tonight and checked herself over in the mirror one last time to make certain. This was a wild risk but if this paid off she would have her answers even if they scared the dickens out of her. Valkardian was still showing signs of fatigue so he would be more apt to make mistakes and slip or so she hoped and this would be her last chance to play out the last of her plan and go fishing for answers. If the first part of tonight went well then there was always her "hail-Celestia" part that would either get her zapped right then and there or well... She was not sure what his response might be if it was in her favor. Sure it was embarrassing as tartarus but. No. She would not dwell on it, it was time for actions and there was no going back.

Entering the kitchen proper Shadow accepted one of the trays and walked off to the private dining room where her victim waited unknowingly in his grand chair with eyes half closed in fatigue.

Valkardian sat quietly without any signs of movement as Shadow and the other servants entered the room and laid the meal out, she poured him more wine than usual and stepped to one side and waited quietly. After a loud *ahem* on her part he finally stirred his eyes snapping open fully and head jerking towards her. Shadow smiled at him and adding some honey to her voice said "dinner is served Valkardian" before pretending not to look at him. No response. Good, she was getting awfully "familiar" with him for a slave servant and now that the water was tested and not boiling she could dip a little more.

Watching him eat for a little bit and drink she began to wonder what his alcohol tolerance was and considering his great age he might have a very high tolerance. Then again that was not why she had given it to him. The point had never been to get him inebriated to any degree but simply relax a little bit and with any luck at all it would also act as an indicator when she popped her last question. Shifting herself around a little to make some noise without it being too obvious, more of an antsy sound as if she were a little bored from just standing there than impatience to draw his attention those blue eyes of his moved over to her figure and expanded a little.

Now that she had his attention she moved and weaved her body just slightly enough to keep his eyes on her and considering how his facade had just cracked and continued to degrade it was working but it was time to do some fishing. "Thank you again for the amulet but aren't you worried I might use it to escape?" Shadow added just the slighest sway to her hips and watched as his eyes darted first then back up quickly. "No. You could have before and did not. Are you planning on escaping?"

Valkardians eyes narrowed a bit and criticize her carefully as Shadow stopped moving "I dont know." It was a truthful answer but also one that would change very quickly after tonight. "Are you planning on doing to me what you did to Ruby?" Hopefully this would catch him off guard enough that he would give a straight answer without thinking it through but to be sure she traced a hand across her midsection with just a hint of enticement and it worked as his eyes snapped to the new movement for a minute. "No, that is not your fate."

"What is?" Well she might as well keep fishing while she had him so distracted with eyes that kept lurching back and forth as she kept making small movements to keep him focused on her. Shadow was not sure how much longer this would work but she had to keep belting out questions as fast as possible before he recovered. So far her assumption had been spot on: he was ancient and well "traveled" but what she had picked up was that he had never "experienced" anything alluring or erotic. Playing on his lack of knowledge was a wild shot but it was paying off, at least until his logical side took over again.

"I dont know anymore..." Valkardians voice trailed off before his head jerked back to his meal and Shadow carefully went back to her bored stature. The moment had passed but the fish had taken the bait and been reeled in. There was just one last thing to do but that meant getting off topic and then slap him upside the head with her question which would be so random that it would catch him off guard.

"You said I was gong on "vacation" soon. Will I be staying here or going into the caves for a time? How long will it be?"

Valkardian ignore her for a few minutes, eating slowly and eyes narrowing a bit before he finally leaned back in his seat and stretched his back a bit. "That will remain a secret until I send you there, you will not be conscious when you go but you will be well protected." He pointed to her amulet for a moment. Shadow switched her tail as bit and shifted her body slightly to draw his eyes down and it worked. Bit by bit Valkardian was getting ever so slightly flustered by what she was doing but his iron will was holding him quite well so far.

This was a very dangerous game. He had gone back to eating but his eyes kept twitching and jerking towards her every so often now, she had refilled his goblet twice now so it was working to some degree at least. Now to flay the fish alive.

Shadow had gone statue still for a minute waiting for his eyes to focus on his dinner again. Waiting until he picked up his goblet again she held back her question until he had just begun to take a drink: "You still like my tits?"

The result was instantaneous, Shadow leaned forward and lifted her breasts and bounced them a bit in his face while Valkardian had a spasm attack in the midst of taking a drink and turning his head all at the same time. Coughing, sputtering and wheezing from wine going down the wrong tube his wild eyes were now glued to her chest as he kept wheezing. Shadow continued to feign total innocence and quickly grabbed one of the extra napkins from the servants wine tray and played the part of "concerned maid" to the best of her ability even touching him.

Valkardian did not push her away or zap her, instead he simply snatched up his own cloth and began to wipe himself down quickly and averted his gaze. Standing quickly she half expected retribution to fall on her but instead he simply gave her one last look which was a portrait of confusion, desire and a good deal of someone lost in the woods with no idea what to do next. Instead he simply turned and left quietly still coughing but never once saying a word just leaving her to stand there quietly as servants entered and began to clean up.

It had worked. Shadow's smile grew as she tossed the napkin onto a tray one of the servants carried. Valkardian was too honest for his own good but also had proven he had little to no experience with the feminine wiles and she had played on it heavily and came out with her life and a plethora of answers. He had no intention of harming her let alone killing her and using her as a servant and that was a great weight off her shoulders. As to why well... Apparently he had begun to like her more than he would openly admit.

Servants continued to clean up as Shadow hummed happily to herself hoping that if she waited long enough Valkardian would disappear to wherever thus leaving the coast clear so she could turn in for the night. Hopefully this stunt of hers would not cause him to cancel her vacation but something told her that was highly doubtful at this point.

Waiting for a little while longer than usual she finally headed off for bed with a smug grin on her face. Entering the bedroom Shadow began to strip off her carefully chosen garb. It had worked just as she had hoped it would, in fact it had done more than that by giving her a bit of entertainment to boot. Two years ago her hint had been when he had her dress up in that skimpy outfit and serve him and while that was before she had any real change of cloths the telltale hints had been there. How he looked at her changed ever so slowly, at first simply ignoring her most of the time and as time went along she caught him glancing at her more and more depending on what she wore.

Looking at her modified outfit Shadow wore an impish grin. Finding the tailors room last year had been a boon for tonight. All manner of cloth was available for whatever uses he needed them for from clothing, drapery or fine see through silks he used in his museum. She had added a see through silk wrap around her waist and some around the bikini to help draw his eyes to the movement. Whoever had made that skimpy harem outfit had been a real pervert but it also saved her sanity tonight. By copying it somewhat she had managed to make a sort of "replica" out of near see through silk and while her attempt was simple and far from perfect it had worked quite well. She would have to thank her sister for teaching her so much about sewing her own clothes if she ever saw her again.

Valkardian sat in his study with the door closed tapping his fingers slowly on the book he had been reading. His mind was far too distracted to read now after what had happened in his private dining room. Shadow had caught him so off guard with her subtle swaying, rubbing and... Damn that crazy little bat. A loud sigh escaped him as he slumped down in the chair and stared out beyond the ceiling with a thousand yard stare.

She had baited a trap for him carefully and it had started days ago when he had given her the amulet. At first he had simply ignored how she had addressed him since it mattered little anymore, he could frankly care less but that little omission had snared him. Now tonight, in his own home no less a pony had played him for a fool and made him look the fool.

As he continued to dwell on the questions asked it was rather apparent as to why she had: every question save the last one was geared to her survival or being enslaved forever like Ruby. It was a simple, straightforward plan and sure enough it proved to be so simple he completely failed to see it until it was too late. How long had she been planning this? Days? Months? A year? No, she had to ad lib when the amulet was presented, she had no idea he was going to give it to her. His jaw bent back and forth grinding slowly as the gears in his head tore away at her actions. That last question though...

Sitting upright again and stretching his neck around images of her kept popping back into his head. Shadow was devious and caniving in every way possible when she chose to be. Playing her feminine side perfectly and choosing her timing carefully he had milked him for information without a single complaint or rebuttal. A thousand or more years ago he would have zapped her then and there but it had been more than two millennia since anyone had well and truly tried such tactics on him and not in such a manner as this.

A small laugh escaped his lips. Shadow had actually brought out an answer for the both of them tonight and one he had not even bothered to stop and really think about: he cared more for her than he let on and now she knew it as well. She was not a slave anymore more a companion and sometimes maid or servant though she enjoyed tending the garden far too much to consider it servitude.

Laughter began to fill the room slowly at first then building up and morphing into a loud and joyous bellow. Valkardian clapped his hands a few times as he leaned back still laughing with a large smile on his face which was a most rare occasion for him; Shadow had played a dangerous game of guile and wit, not only had she played it quite well for a surface pony but had succeeded perfectly. This little bat had guts, a brain and used them both and more quite well. He liked her more and more as the months wore on and tonight she had proven why he liked her so much.