Author's Notes:

This chapter is written to this: Crocodile Dundee Theme song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2m3tqLKbV9s

I suggest you listen to it to get a proper feel for whats going on at the temple and even listen to it while reading. The actions taking place there are set in tune to the song especially the crescendo of events and the halfway point of the song. Just imagine everything taking place is in sync to the song.

Dinner had largely been a silent affair. Valkardian seemed lost in his own thoughts eating slowly and only asking a few simple questions about her day and reminding her that tomorrow was their last day in the city. That and not to forget Betu's invitation to tomorrow's festivities at the temple to honor the spirits.

"Are you going to come with me and see the ceremony?"

"Did Betu mention my name anywhere in the letter?"

"No..."

"Then I am not invited. That is why two letters were sent."

"Right. So what happened at your little get together then?"

"Tomorrow. Today I think on what I need to do."

Shadow continued to piece at the spicy vegetables. "Shadow... Don't talk to any strangers who approach you tomorrow or the day after that are curious about us being here... Or where we are going. Act like an idiot tourist."

She nodded slowly at this and watched while he stood and retreated into the room and began to go over the various contents of his bags. What exactly was said at that meeting and why did it have him acting stranger than usual?

Dawn had not yet come but there was no point in trying to sleep either, allowing her glowing, slitted eyes to take in her surroundings Shadow realized the awkward position her body was in. During the night she had scooted over to his side of the bed and wrapped herself around him and a blush burned across her face while slowly untangling herself and sliding away.

Valkardian had always been the first up the past two days but now Shadow wondered if he had been the one to get up first to untangle her but had chosen to ignore the situation they found themselves in each morning. Maybe he did not mind or was being exceptionally stoic about it. Thinking on it... She was not terribly bothered by it either.

Walking onto the balcony and watching the first crack of light show on the horizon as it cast many colorfully hued rays across the early dawn sky Shadow wondered what her part was in events yet to play out. They were on a quest now for something or other, that much was abundantly clear as she was no fool. A quest that bothered him to some degree though. Valkardian had promised to tell her the details today but not when however he was always good to his word.

Sitting on a cushion her eyes caught the slightest amount of movement from a balcony to the right but did not turn her head as that would give her away. Somepony was watching them quietly from a distance. How many? One? Two? Probably two as keeping an all night vigil would be impossible for one pony. So that is what he was concerned about. They were already being watched and he needed the time to figure out a way for them to slip off without drawing any attention causing a race.

So what then was so almighty important that warranted them being spied on? Today would tell.

His eyes were still shut but his ears listened as Shadow had untangled herself from him. Every morning had been this way. Waking up with a soft, furry and very feminine pony draped over him was not objectionable but also left a certain burning heat in the face that had been all but forgotten over the many millenia. Today though Shadow had been the first to rise and now that his eyes were open he could see she was now sitting out on the balcony.

The glowing eyes shifted every so slightly to the right and stayed there watching something. He did not need to guess that someone was watching them and now being watched in return by the little bat outside. Which room there were in was narrowed down now and would make it a little easier to find out which faces to look out for. Staying still Valkardian moved his hands under the sheets and closed his eyes for a moment seeing who exactly was keeping an eye on them.

Magic was a wonderful thing indeed, being able to hide from prying eyes or being those prying eyes made all the difference in "cloak and dagger" matters like this. Seeing the two spies clearly he smirked a little and wondered how long it would take to loose them or if they would be the first to leave having lost interest if things went as they should today.

Sun rising halfway up on the horizon Valkardian sat up in bed slowly and making certain his illusion was still in place walked onto the balcony with Shadow and sat down. Today would be interesting indeed.

Shadow nearly jumped from her hide when he sat down with her and blocked her view on the neighboring balcony. He also knew what she had been doing as he moved his fingers a bit and just smiled for a moment before looking out at the city. It all felt so strange... Only in books did anything like this ever happen but now here they were wrapped up the beginnings of one of her mothers favorite novels. Letting out a small sigh she wondered if the vacation would be cut short again but knowing Valkardian he had a plan for that too now.

The streets seemed livelier today though. Sweeping, cleaning and bustling about the Arabians and Zebra's below cleaned the streets to make them spotless not that they were not already while others hurried to load small hand drawn carts. All attention seemed to be focused on the gargantuan temple on the far side of the city. This place was truly massive, defending it must be a bitch.

Breakfast was served and the servant's were eager to collect their tip and rush off no doubt to partake in whatever today's celebration entailed. Having eaten Shadow sat looking at her note re-reading the time specified and to show the scroll upon arrival to anypony dressed as an acolyte or priest. How Betu knew she could tell the difference? Logical deduction? A hunch that she could just figure it out with common sense?

Valkardian saw her off with a smile that made her a little worried reminding her that today was the last day and tonight dinner would be special if he could get it sorted out. What did he mean by "special?" The meals here were already special enough as each day had featured different meals and not once had they eaten the same lunch or dinner twice.

Having joined the teeming masses in the streets as they wove their way to the temple she decided it might be best to just fly and escape the dense mob of bodies when they neared the temple. Pulling her little scroll out she fluttered up after knocking her cloak free and flew lazily towards the arched entrance to the temple grounds.

Perching on the wall as the entrance was too choked with bodies Shadow looked around for anypony dressed in robes. Finding a young mare on the other side of the wall counting out those allowed in and ushering off to one side those bearing what must be gifts to the temple Shadow lit beside her making the mare jump.

Holding out the scroll the other took it and read over the only part not in Krethe before handing it back and calling out a name. Another mare dressed very plainly in a white toga hustled over and was ordered to take Shadow inside and show her to some part of the temple she could not understand. Maybe it had a slightly better view or would be less crowded?

If the way into the temple had been a mass jumble of bodies pushing and shoving in a mad rush to get inside the interior was another matter. Offerings were being rushed up to the altar at the far end perched high up a flight of stairs overlooking the grand rotunda. Managing only a few glimpses of the floor it was one massive spiraled mosaic of brightly colored tiles. All around the walls were no less lavishly decorated with bright colors and engravings with the occasional statue along the wall.

Happy with the location her guide turned and gave a quick bow and rushed off. Pandemonium was a good word for the events all around the room. It made sense though that even if they had been prepared the "pony element" was taking its toll on the planning. Slowly but surely things began to settle down as time wore on and more filtered in to take sit on the floor and wait. There were no cushions anywhere in sight, everypony present just picked a spot and sat down as others came in and filled the place out.

Occasionally a priestess or priest would happen along and talk to the crowd quietly stepping carefully, weaving through the densely packed bodies. Shadow had received many odd glances from the locals but for whatever reason they turned away and focused on their own issues. Only twice had any actually stopped to talk to her and both had been priestesses, simply checking on her and the last had told her Betu had asked her to send word he was glad she could make it despite "outstanding circumstances" or whatever that meant. Probably whatever Valkardian was concerned with.

A point of note was that as the room filled they avoided filling the outer ring which she found herself in. Her two attempts to question why this was had simply been met with a smile from the priestesses and assurances that all was well. A dull thudding sound filled the room as a drummer slowly beat on a large drum somewhere to the far front. All the hushed conversations died in an instant as voices outside gave rise hinting that the temple capacity was met and any outside would have to celebrate there and hope whatever was said drifted out to their ears.

When the drumming died off the temple became silent as a graveyard while a procession of priests entered the room from the sides and began to walk the outer ring slowly. Incense burned its sweet scent filling the air as they walked quietly while acolytes carried burners. The last to enter the room were four colorfully dressed figures accompanied by six acolytes bearing boxes and elaborate cloths.

One of them was clearly Betu dressed in cloths that made what he had worn that day in the gardens seem pathetic by comparison. Climbing the stairs and standing directly behind the altar while two others flanked him the third standing farther behind with the acolytes. Silence reined supreme, the only sound the soft hoofsteps of the incense carriers.

Taking a deep breath as they walked passed she recognized what they were burning as frankincense and myrrh, two incredibly expensive incenses in Equestria she had only once had the privileged of smelling and never forgot their unique scent. Only one acolyte bothered to look her way slightly without loosing her step and continuing on. When the procession had made its way to the doors they turned inward and walked in a straight line towards the altar along a narrow path the priests had kept clear of occupants.

Fanning out at the base of the altar and turning towards the crowd Betu began to speak loudly and clearly. Whatever he was saying was more ancient than the Arabian language as it did not translate save for a few words. An acolyte quickly hustled up to Shadow and began to translate for her, Betu had taken a few precautions of his own it appeared.

Today they gathered to make an offering to their ancestors and the spirits that protected their great city. To remember those who had died to protect them, feed them, care for the sick and infirmed. Give thanks to the spirits that made certain the rain came and the crops grew tall and strong.

As he spoke the two others beside him began to accept items from the acolytes while the third priestess simply held her items quietly. Handing them to Betu one at a time slowly he laid the items out after holding each up and calling out various names and invoking great powers. Shadow had never been one for religion or spirituality but the scene playing out before her. Something for the superstitious to partake in that had no bearing on her life in any way possible.

The only time she had been to a church in Equestria is had seemed more of a "pay us or the pony gods will hate you" affair and she had never gone back. Here though it was different as even the poorest pauper was allowed in and given a place to sit amongst them without question or comment.

Music began to play from somewhere out of sight as dancers walked up some side steps onto a platform that blended in so well with the background altar she had not noticed it took positions. Recognizing two of them immediately as Nata and Aliya, focusing her ears and listening to the tune and the deep baritone horn playing somewhere she guessed Jaf must be present as well from the flutes playing.

Betu's words flowed faster and the music picked up till it filled the air, the dancers beginning to move and sway with the music. At some point the entire crowd had stood up as one homogeneous mass silently. The music picked up its tempo the dancers speeding up to match in a mesmerizing sight of fluid motion.

The throng began to clap slowly at first picking up pace to match the music as if to urge Betu, dancers and musicians on. High above the altar was now covered in silk cloth and items as he continued to chant in an ancient tongue urging something to happen. Turning to the acolyte who stood beside her having long stopped translating she just smiled back instructing her to just watch. "It" was about to begin.

All around her the sounds and sights melted together in her mind becoming a mass blur of riveting motion and enchantment. From behind the last priestess came forward finally and handed off her items to Betu. Taking them and continuing his chanting that melded with the music and dancing he raised his arms slowly.

Back in Equestria the most "divine intervention" any pony could ever hope or pray for would be not to get run over by a train when they crossed the tracks. Higher powers never responded to pleas for aid and most had simply taking to praying to Celestia for guidance and aid as if doing so would get results. It was a loosing situation no matter what they prayed too or how hard.

However here something was changing slowly. Her fur prickled a little at first when the dancers had gone from moving to and fro in silence to now moving in circles dancing around one another. Their hands rose up and began to clap along to the music while the crowd continued raising their own hands high above their heads.

During all of this the first signs that something far beyond her comprehension was going on made itself known. Fur standing up along her spine Shadow jerked her head around looking for whatever force was slowly making itself known. Beside her the acolyte just smiled back and reassured her everything was fine. The clapping had taken on a unique beat and tune all of its own, part of her wanted to bolt for the door while another demanded she stay riveted to the spot to see what would happen next.

Standing nervously rooted to the spot Shadow glanced around apprehension gnawing at her insides. The acolyte had since joined in the clapping and nudged her a little, Shadow brought her hands together slowly and joined in matching beat with the crowd. Betu never once faltered in his chanting, his hands were now raised high, his head looking up at the ceiling.

As her clapping continued her eyes began to bulge as little wisps of light began to weave through the air. All around more feeling was poured into the music, dancing, clapping and chanting. Before long the wisps had multiplied and small balls of light rose from the floor even pouring out from the walls and statues. All sizes and colors they began to weave their way around the crowd as if to join in with the clapping, others joined the dancers matching their movements giving the dancers an ethereal appearance.

Betu was wreathed in them. It was getting a little hard to see the old stallion as more lights formed around him circling while wisps spun and coursed around his arms in a stunning display of color and brilliance.

Shadow watched her mouth hanging open, her own clapping had faltered almost immediately as she tried to pick it back up. Fear and amazement filled her senses watching the lights dance and move through the crowd. Some approached her as if to examine the strange visitor before moving on while others danced and spun around her giving off a warm friendly feeling. Never in her life could she of imagined anything like this being possible. No it was impossible.

All the old pony teachings screamed in her mind to be afraid and run but she began to crush them and toss them aside, there was no evil here, no danger. Only joy and pure happiness filled this place as the crowd began to chant the same lines over and over again. As their voices rose higher the balls of light seemed to grow more and more powerful, the wisps of light becoming clearer and more pronounced.

This ceremony seemed to be making the forced gathered here more invigorated, powerful. Betu had stopped chanting and lowered his arms as the feverish dancing continued, the crowd lost in the blissful feeling that pervaded the temple. It was affected Shadow as well now, she could feel them not just in her heart and mind now but her soul has been touched by the powers here. More lights had begun to visit her and even touch her now and then before moving away leaving her with a profound sense of calm and peace.

Watching in wonder as the lights flowed around her she put out a hand and stared in utter amazement as one lit in her palm for a minute leaving a tingling sensation before moving on while wisps of light flowed around her arm.

"The spirits seem to like you." Smiling at her the acolyte watched for a minute before turning back and watching the spectacle continue to unfold. Shadow however had just realized this was not just some simple ceremony to honor the souls of the dead or the spirits but this was a full out summoning. All of this was to call them forth and invite them to join the living to enjoy the dancing and music.

Patting her shoulder for a moment the acolyte smiled then waved and walked off. Turning back towards the altar Shadow watched as the line of priests and acolytes spread out and that seemed to signal something else to the crowd as they too parted ways fanning out and up towards the wall crowding in on her.

Seeing over them was very hard now but she managed to fly up into the air to look over the gathering as they began to join in the dancing. One group of musicians stopped playing and another picked right up as the dancers slowed then flowed off the stone platform. All around her Arabian's and zebra's began dancing to the music while the spirits and souls flowed around them.

Sometime after a pair of voices called out to her from below and looking down she saw Nata, Aliya and Jaf standing there staring up smiling while beckoning her to join them.

"This is not the time to stand alone or fly, dance! Join in with the celebration!" Aliya kept smiling as she took Shadow by the hand and led her off the way they had come to a less crowded area.

"I have no idea what I am doing..." Shadow was a little worried as Jaf just laughed.

"Just go with the flow and dont think about it."

Aliya and Jaf began to dance while Nata took Shadow and told her just to follow along. There was no sense in being here without joining in on the dancing. Watching as they began to dance together she matched her movements with Nata while watching Aliya and Jaf from the corner of her eye.

The pair was an amazing display to watch though Aliya was the better dancer. They wove back and forth together in sync with the music, an amazing pair indeed. Dancing continued till she lost track of time and now the lights that swam around her were welcome as they bent and wove with her movements. Aliyan and Jaf however remained a true sight to see as the lights danced and wove with them, coursing around their arms and hands as they touched and brushed in and around each other.

How long it lasted she did not know but finally Aliya stopped and took Jaf's hand as he breathed with a little difficulty. Slowing her own dancing at their approach Nata just waved them off and continued on while Aliya motioned for Shadow to follow.

"You must rest before you fall down Shadow." Aliya laughed happily before taking her hand leading them through the crowd. "Now we rest, drink and eat a little."

Outside the courtyard was a mass of writhing dancers, the air inside the temple had been filled with lights but it was no different outside with the air full of them. They slowly made their way to a different side that seemed to be for resting and eating. Great cauldrons had been set up at some point and bubbled with food being served by acolytes and what appeared to be volunteers.

"Eat little and slowly, you are too tired to eat very much... Wait here with Jaf, I will return with suitable food."

Aliya faded into the crowd leaving the two alone to talk. Jaf admitted he had been there before her arrival but stayed out of sight being so busy getting everything ready and that Aliya had seen her on the walk up the stairs. Seeing a bat pony along the outer wall with an accompanying acolyte was hard to miss.

Returning with two bowls in hand with some pita resting over one of them Aliya returned and they sat together. Fruit with some candied plantaine mixed in while the other contained a simple vegetable blend that was easy on the spices. Sitting and eating as music continued to emanate from the temple Shadow asked how often this occurred and Jaf informed her it was twice a year.

Aliya chimed in that originally it was only once a year but High Priest Betu had decided that because the fields were so rich and most went to waste why not celebrate twice. His reasoning was that why only call forth the souls and spirits once a year to join them in celebration, surely they would enjoy the chance to celebrate with them. He was right apparently, since the change had begun some twenty years ago the number of apparitions had more than tripled.

It had worked wonders too. With the increase of "visitors" sickness had dropped off in the city greatly and all around happiness had been boosted greatly. Smaller summons took place at the various homes around the city of course after a harvest so it was not like the temple cornered the market though none could compare to the vastness and lavishness to be expected here. Food was donated and none were turned away, all were welcome here no matter how low or high.

Shadow had to admit this was the most stunning religious act she had ever seen. Jaf however waved her off and told her that the region had no actual organized "religion" but instead a strong faith, for them there were no gods or pantheons to pray too in either fear or respect. A lesson taught to them long ago when those who held forced religious doctrine tried to invade long, long ago but lost in one brutal, bloody and hellishly violent and cataclysmic battle as spirits and religious dogma collided.

If she wanted to know more the statues inside were built to honor the various heroes who died that day to expel the invaders from the East. After that one brutal display of power they had never cross the mountain chain again but instead turned on themselves blaming each other for not being zealous enough. Either way it worked for them Aliya added not that they did not maintain strong garrisons just in case they would ever try again.

Festivities continued on throughout the day as the married couple led Shadow around to the various goings on including a couple stands set up by the temple and locals offering various items including jewelry. Aliya pointed out the bracelets and necklaces as something worn to remember those gone by or to the various heroes who died so long ago. Shadow followed along mostly in silence asking a question now or then but as the sun began to dip.

As much as she enjoyed being here with them it was time to go since they would be leaving tomorrow to continue their vacation. Aliya asked her to wait here for a little bit and left leaving Jaf and Shadow alone.

"You know Shadow... There is just something about you that makes you easy to like and trust. Your companion friend is... Dangerous. Nice, but dangerous, trusted even but you... Aliya and Nata like you more than you know and I must say that when we saw you writhed in spirits it solidified that with us. Shadow... You are very different. Special." Jaf beamed at her before his eyes turned back to the crowd.

"Thank you. But I just remembered we left Nata inside..."

Jaf barked out a laugh and had to take a minute to stop. "Oh that one could dance till the spirits died of exhaustion. Then again she is the future replacement to the head mistress at the school."

Aliya popped out from the crowd and handed an arm bracelet to Shadow. "Very fitting for one like you. The symbol is for one who honors the spirits and is asking for guidance and protection in return. Suitable for one like you who travels."

Smiling Shadow thanked her and pulling her sleeve up tried it on for size and it fit perfectly. Returning the smile Aliya remarked she had guessed which would fit and guessed correctly. Being time to head back Shadow thanked them and waved goodbye as she flew into the air and back to the inn. If only her family had been here to see this wondrous event. A little worry worked it's way up though as Valkardian came to mind, if the spirits protected the city so violently from outside enemies how would they react to him?