He led Shadow down the hall towards his private study thinking about where they would be going next and considering what she had done staying even one week let alone two in Equestria was out of the question. So where to go that would be quiet enough and allow him to keep an eye on her that would also provide a nice diversion for himself... Asia? Saddle Arabia? Zebrica? Somewhere far, far away from Equestria and the hornets nest that had been kicked up.

Glancing down at her as she quietly walked beside him the events of the night came back quickly causing a grin to grace his severe face. Shadow had gone from just another annoying pony to a true Thestral like her ancestors. Calm, collected, vengeful, obstinate, manipulative to a degree and no respect what so ever for rules or authority. She was shaping up nicely and would make her ancestors proud to know that Celestia had not stamped out their deep rooted sense of right and wrong.

Despite warning her that killing the stallion would mean damnation from those above for the rest of her day's Shadow had still taken matters into her own hands and done what she thought was right anyway and damn the consequences. Not only that but she had even silenced any witnesses by killing the stallions wife as a precaution, he knew, he had watched through the eyes of a wraith that had followed her. Just about any life form on the planet would call her a murderer for tonight but to him it was fully justified since there would never be justice otherwise.

Revenge was a powerful thing and a most useful tool to wield and Shadow had done just that. Focused on the one causing the problems not just random bystanders though they probably deserved it just as much, her anger was focused at the root of the problem and the solution implemented perfectly. Still, it was no business of his if the dunces above dug their own graves again.

The best part was his omitting of a crucial detail: No one would remember her come the morning. A little magic went a long way when focused on those who had the most contact with her. Why wipe out the memory of an entire village when only ten or twenty actually mattered? Amnesia was his threat against her in the cell and it was true but not for her. The guards, innkeeper, baker and that captain would only have a fuzzy memory of last night, too much drinking most likely. Shadow did not need to know that however.

Servants bustled up and took their baggage away quickly as they reached his study. Ushering Shadow to a seat he walked around his large desk and took a seat and examined a crystal that had been left for him by a servant. She watched him quietly as his eyes glowed absorbing the details and images within.

Putting it back down he stared at her quietly for a moment. "An interesting turn of events are unfolding. Celestia's recent failure has fanned the flames and now others are already taking measures to dethrone her. One is even preparing an invasion."

Shadow watched as Valkardian leaned back in his plush seat thinking quietly to himself. She had been quite distracted since returning but the information she had sprung back to mind.

"I have some information you might find useful..."

Eyes darting back to her and narrowing Valkardian motioned for her to continue. "In my bag are a small black book and newspaper. I believe whoever seeks to dethrone her is responsible for writing both."

"Which of your bags?" A moment after telling him his hand moved and the bag was teleported directly into his hand and handing it over she began to riffle out the items required. It also answered another question, he did indeed have something planted on everything to track it. Pulling out the paper and book she handed them back and waited while he flipping through the book quickly.

"I already know about the paper, you can keep that... This book though is quite interesting. It does not match the philosophy of those I suspect would be looking to dethrone her at home no less... Does point directly to another though... Is this all?"

"No, I questioned the captain who captured me... She said that the one who ordered the recall of the papers was a Lord Silver Chalice. Celestia did not recall anything nor the book, it was only the Captain who wanted it. I found that strange."

"You questioned a captain of the equestrian guard? While her prisoner no less and got answers?"

"Yes, I used the methods you taught me. About ponies being hopelessly honest and truthful if you get them talking fast enough?"

"I am well aware what I have taught you. WHY did you do it though? None of this is your concern down here." His hand gestured around the room though she knew it held larger implications.

"Curiosity. I just wanted to know and thought it might be useful to know what was going on and who was behind it. Also my family lives on the surface..."

"Ah yes, them... Good. Knowledge is power. Now then about our vacation."

He was an airhead, Valkardian had completely forgotten about her family. Most likely her letter's were written onto a schedule somewhere so he would not forget. Still she had to admit the curiosity of who these foreign powers were intrigued her.

"Valkardian? Who or what is the foreign power you talked about?"

The question snapped him back to reality again stopping him from rifling through maps. "Not a what but a who, a him in this case. Celestia a long time ago failed horribly to heed one of my warnings and allowed an enemy to go free. Exiled, but free. Long story short he vowed revenge, took his supporters with him and started to build up a little empire overseas waiting on the chance to return. A very arrogant, pompous ass of a creature. Still holds an iron grip on the ancient medieval ways only... Warped. Very warped and twisted."

"I do believe he is utterly insane but keeps it to himself. Cant remember his name anymore, probably in one of the books in the library if you look it up. Anyway! They have remained quiet for over a millenia trying to eek out a living in their new "home" and barely surviving. Now that Celestia's hold is loosening they are building a fleet of ships to come back with. Probably plans to reclaim ancient lands long lost and put himself back into power."

"In about six months they will probably have enough ships to move his forces back and launch an invasion and if your little information gathering operation is any indication... He has a great number of supporters here in Equestria now."

Valkardian stopped and walked over to Shadow and leaned down towards her looking straight into her eyes. "Never forget there are ancient, terrible powers on the loose in the world. Powers and people who have survived horrible things, impossible things and with impossible powers. I am just one of them, Celestia and Luna are two others though they are quiet recent compared to the rest of us. He on the other hand is recent but well schooled by harsh reality and personal ambition. That is why he still lived as flesh and blood instead of being six feet under like so many others. Sometimes your greatest enemy comes with an open hand and a smile on their face hiding the poisoned dagger hidden behind the facade."

Leaning back and watching her face quietly he sighed slowly and went back to his search. "I suspect that within the year Equestria will be embroiled in a civil war or worse and that does not please me."

"They are rocking the boat and disturbing your status quo. Right?" Shadow piped up.

"Yes. However if Celestia can destroy them on her own I will not lift a finger and let matters be. I most certainly will not come to her aid so long as she still sits on the throne."

"Wait. What?"

Grumbling he sat down with a whump and dropped a pile of maps out and began to organize them. "Consider my history. If I were to march to Celestia's aid she is so altruistic and virtuous that she would attack ME while the REAL enemy beat down the door! No. Whatever happens, happens. Que sera sera. Should she fall to them I will allow them time to solidify their power and reveal all the enemies I need to kill and then I will march on them. To do otherwise would only make matters worse for me and I refuse to play that game of push and shove."

Glaring across the table at her a fist thudded down on the pile of papers. "If that arrogant bitch is unwilling to see the truth she will suffer for it. This is something I have been preparing and planning for... Lets just say a very... Long time and leave it at that."

Pushing some papers to her Shadow began to look over them. Maps of the various continents in full detail as if taken from a birds eye view and better than any map she had ever seen above. A lot of time had been spent drawing these maps up in such detail. "So... Ships?"

Valkardian let out a huff. "You want to know every detail of what is going to happen and you refuse to focus on your vacation until you have them then?"

"Yes."

"I will only answer this one then you will focus on your decision. It will take them about four months to make enough ships to move half their forces. Ships take a specific amount of time to make correctly thus I can hazard such an estimate. Two months will give them time to move their forces in two waves so long as those sympathetic to their cause keep anyone from finding out. The number of ships being made leads me to that conclussion, the number they would require to move them all at once would mean waiting a year since their resources are so limited. Now, if someone in Equestria were to take them supplies..."

Shadow simply nodded and looked back to the map. Was he letting her pick a vacation spot or would he put in his own two bits worth? "What about this place here? Whats it like?"

Leaning over and examining where she was pointing he hummed. "Saddle Arabian coast... Mediterranean climate in this region here... Turns into blasted wasteland beyond that line rather quickly though. Now. Over here..."

According to her crystal it had taken more than six hours to come to a decision not that he had tried to persuade her one way or another. Zebrica was just too... Dry. Flat. Now there were some really nice dense jungles that joined in but the idea of a vacation involving killing waves of giant mosquito's while sweating buckets was not appealing. The Savannah sounded nice except that if you could not outrun or kill the critters that lived there well... That left Saddle Arabia and the adjoining areas along a great inland sea. While hotter than tartarus is was by far the safest choice for relaxation.

Thus it had been decided they would spend two weeks along the coast all expenses paid by Valkardian's immense hoard. Shadow had to admit the coastal region sounded really nice in some areas with vibrant life, date, palm, olive and vineyards that stretched out over the landscape. Strange though that just crossing some rough terrain meant the difference between lush and vibrant coast and what Valkardian called a "burning nuclear wasteland." Two weeks to see it all though or at least as much as she could. Small schooners and reed craft bustled up and down the river ways so getting around would not be a problem.

There was one catch though: different clothing was a must. Not certain as to what effect the burning sun would have on her Valkardian had suggested she bring the bare basics of pants and shirts then sort it out when they got there which meant visiting some stores on arrival. This prospect excited her greatly seeing as she had never once thought about exploring overseas! Even if the trip had a rough start it sounded exciting all the same and after listening to him give a rough description of the architecture, food, culture and clothing Shadow as eager to be off.

How would they get there was a question. Maybe he had a portal hidden away overseas and judging by the number of maps he had and the little marks on them she guessed that those marks were portals. The planet was honeycombed with them granting him access to any continent on a whim and direct access to the largest cities no less. Not all of the cities still existed however according to him when she had inquired about one of them on the map. How old were these maps? Would the city still be there when they arrived?

A quick bath and sleep would help quiet such worries but there was one fear that would not go away: her family. An invasion was coming. Of that there was no doubt now, the gears were in motion and war was on the horizon and when it reached Equestria's shores her family would be above and probably dragged kicking and screaming into it one way or another. Could she make a plea with Valkardian to spare her family and allow her to spirit them away to safety? Maybe warn them in advance? What could she do other than just let fate take them away from her in the rapid course of events soon to come? Sliding into bed after making certain he was not there Shadow laid her head on a fluffy pillow and sank into the soft mattress, unable to quiet her giddy anticipation of a vacation overseas nor her fear for her family.

How long had it been since he had used these control crystals? Dusting the box off and coughing as the air filled with choking dust Valkardian passed it off to a servant and looked around his crystal vault. How many portals were there again? It had been so long... And soon he might be pulling down one box after another from one of the special vaults for an entirely different reason.

Meandering down the hallway thinking quietly about what to bring his mind drifted back to Shadow. War was coming and her family would be caught up in it sooner or later should Celestia fail to nip this problem in the bud and judging by what he already knew combined with Shadow's input it would appear the die was already cast.

"Alea, Iacta, Est." The words echoed quietly in the hallway. Soon they would be in Saddle Arabia and after two weeks return where Shadow would continue her training. His status quo was being disturbed and if events unfolded as he thought they would then it would be for the best if Shadow was made ready for her role in things. Such an inquisitive and curious mind was not to be wasted and she had proven to be the inheritor of a killer instinct.

With some honing and additional training it would not be hard to make this little bat cast aside the last of that disgusting "pony" and replace it with stronger stuff. Six months to a year was plenty of time to drill her and make her into a create of stone and steel. She even seemed to enjoy it if given the chance thought he doubted she would admit it openly. One thing that would have to be addressed though was her self doubt. It irked him to no end she did not trust in her training enough to take down that rabble of poorly armed guards and soldiers. He would remedy that when they got back.

*Poke, poke, poke* Shadow snapped awake and was about to tell the servant to buzz off before her eyes widened and she sat up in bed quickly. Valkardian was hovering over her with a staff in his hand poking her.

"I'm awake! Are we leaving already?"

"Yes of course, it does not take nearly as long as you think to activate a portal... My servants are quite efficient."

Climbing out of bed Shadow rushed behind a blind and began to dress rapidly while Valkardian left the clicking sound of his staff on the stone floor fading away in the distance. A servant waited outside with a single backpack loaded with cloths while her other bag was folded up and stuffed inside. She had emptied it out and folded it up figuring that its massive interior would be perfect for carrying whatever souvenirs she came across. Maybe Valkardian would allow her to box some of them up and send them to her family?

Racing down the hallway and readjusting her sword belt it remained a point of interest he was leaving her armed after what had happened but then again events were strange. Rounding the bend and passing more servants Valkardian stood by an active portal quietly, his own bag slung on his back, staff in hand while the other held... Botas?

"You will need to keep at least three of these on you at all time and full, the heat will dry you up quickly and death by dehydration is not pleasant or so I have been told."

She accepted her three and slung them quickly before looking him over again. Once more wrapped in the illusion of a stallion had he walked down a street in Equestria not one pony would have batted an eye. Knowing him that staff was probably more than just a simple staff but whatever secret it held if any was his and his alone. Beckoning her through the portal Shadow eagerly stepped through and into another room. Moments later he was behind her while Servants shut the portal down and keeping pace with him they emerged into a hallway which led into an underground building.

"How many portals do you have and how many of these fortresses are there?" Shadow asked with curiosity but his pace never slowed.

"I can go anywhere I wish whenever I want. Not as many fortresses however, more a precaution. Just in case someone (he glanced back at her) gets past the defenses or causes a ruckus."

They stopped in an empty chamber and stood inside a circle of runes that began to glow when he started to speak strange words. Soon the entire room glowed brightly and when the light faded both were standing amongst some trees under the blistering sun. "The portal must be very, very deep if it takes all that to get us up here..."

"Some are." With his quick retort done he was off again pushing through some brush and stepped out onto a road. Focusing for a minute Valkardian turned sharply to the right and started to walk down the winding dusty road.

Looking at the scenery around her Shadow was struck by its strange beauty. Palms and short, odd shaped trees grew all around and the sound of water could be just made out in the distance and not just a small body of water but the crashing of waves. One thing that disturbed her though was the heat. A very dry heat sucked the moisture right out of her making Shadow begin sweating and the burning sun made her wish they would get to wherever they were going a little quicker.

Prayers were answered not long after when a small caravan of ponies and zebra's passed them going the other way. Valkardian asked them how far and seemingly satisfied with the response he picked up the pace. The small forest gave way to fields of vines on one side and olives on the other that stretched out towards a great walled city. It was unlike anything she had ever seen with its dusty stone walls and towers that held brightly colored banners swaying in the wind.

The ponies that worked the fields were similar to Equestrians but also quite different with long muzzles and their build was strange to her eyes. They paid no mind to them despite her constant staring as they passed but once in a while a head would turn at her and eyebrows would raise before they went back to work or continued to walk down the road. It was the zebra's she passed that got her attention the most.

Though few compared to the rest of the locals their height, strong build and stripes made her gape at them. Jewelry was a favorite of the zebra's too she gathered judging by their heavy use of bronze jewelry and some gold that adorned their necks, ears and arms. Valkardian had to stop at one point to call her name because of her gaping at one group that was particularly well adorned with fancy bronze jewelry. It was a little embarrassing she had to admit when the staring had become mutual between the parties resulting in chuckling on their part before she hurried off.

"If it is this easy to distact you I wonder how you will act when you see what's running around inside the walls." He watched her for a minute before continuing on.

Guards stood outside the gates with spears and adorned in light, airy dust covered uniforms that covered their muzzles and most of the body protecting them from the sun. Valkardian just ignored them as he walked inside and a few watched her quietly before going back to talking quietly amongst themselves or checking the occasional hand drawn cart. If Shadow thought the fields and ponies outside were interesting what she now beheld left her awestruck.

A wide cobblestone road ran the length of the city and was packed with Arabians and zebras of all sizes, colors and shades. Brick and stone building soared up on both sides of the road offering cool shade from the sun as signs hung down emblazoned with strange symbols and undecipherable script's. Bright yellows, red, blue and a myriad of other colored cloth's stretched out on poles covering those dining and drinking while servers bustled to and fro amongst the tables. The air was heady with the smell of incense and spices that swirled and mixed together leaving her mouth to water while musicians played strange instruments and flutes that left a strange mysterious tune floating through the air.

Again Valkardian had to stop and just wait on her as Shadow was left stunned by the packed street and its vendors. She hardly noticed him leading her on to a less crowded area where he simply snapped his fingers in front of her nose and pointed up. Reaching into the sky magnificent buildings with ornate carvings and brightly painted brick rose around them. Spirals and towers soared upwards, their ornate patterns telling stories or holding visages of stylized animals.

Unlike Canterlot with its white washed buildings and towers this was truly a world apart. Here they preferred color and design. Perhaps this was where Valkardian got his ideas from when making his home, they bore a strong resemblance in some ways; a kind of mixture of two architectural types.

No longer stupefied by her surroundings they walked together towards a two story building and went inside. An ornate rug was thrown on the floor while tables and cushions lined the walls with a few takers. She recognized what the place was instantly: an inn or hotel.

Speaking with the Arabian at the counter and arguing for a minute Valkardian handed over a handful of coins and beckoned Shadow over. Calling out in that strange language the locals used a young stallion hustled over and relieved them of their bags and taking a key from the older one headed up a flight of stairs. Following them up to the second floor he took off down the hall and stopped in front of a door and putting the bags down unlocked it and ushered them inside.

She had to admit that when Valkardian went on vacation he preferred to do it in style. Her own room had been one of the finest and this room was no exception. In fact it was grander that the other with a huge bed with a fine silken net hanging around it, plush cushions set around a low table, balcony and adjoining rooms. He accepted the key and tipped the porter before asking some questions and after nodding the young stallion left and closed the door behind him.

Returning to her he stood there and looked around the room for a minute with her before checking the adjoining rooms. "Nice place wouldn't you agree? The only room they had though so only the one bed but there is a private toilet there... And a bathing room over there. They also have room service but I think you would rather wander the bazaar than sit around here... Yes?"

Shadow stared at him and nodded furiously with a large grin plastered across her face and eagerly followed him out of the room. There would be plenty of time to explore the contents of the suite later but right now she wanted to see what awaited her in the world beyond these doors.