Author's Notes:

I would like to thank those of who you have favorited my story and hope you continue to enjoy reading it!

Last nights dinner had been a grand feast made from the looted cargo and cache of supplies including a decent supply of wine. Come dawn they roused themselves and loaded the Bariq back up with leftover supplies and some "extra's" just in case they were attacked along the way again though Qufai was doubtful.

Those extra's included a decent pile of javelins and arrows along with an additional shield for Shadow just in case. Valkardian had turned down the offer of a shield saying he would be fine with the use of a little magic. Qufai dropped the subject immediately but from the inquiring look in her eye's she had already started to figure out there was far more to this strange "unicorn" than met the eye.

A small crew had already taken the other guild ship back down the river to find the bodies and carry them off to parts unknown. Before leaving the officer had come down to see them off out of boredom wishing them well and hoping that they would make her life easier by killing any bandits along the way should they show themselves. While the river was still incredibly safe despite yesterdays events the road that followed the river higher up was a whole other ball of wax.

So far the bandits had severed the road and only well armed caravans could pass through unmolested but that was apt to change if their forces were not dealt with soon. There was still good news though: since the bandits had just lost their only known "navy" in one brief battle the river was again open for messengers to pass freely so contact with Tatsu would not be lost. Kalai simply blew off the officer saying that the day mere bandits could take Tatsu was also the day the world would end.

Mercenaries were the number one export of the tiny village with centuries of history to back it up. Qufai and her siblings were very proud of this fact and that it was also traditional for every last villager to be trained at a young age to fight first then live. Due to this the region surrounding them had always been very safe and still was, the last message had remarked that the locals had kept the bandits away to the point they were quietly "besieging" the village by staying away and hitting the roads farther down.

Valkardian asked Qufai if she knew why the bandits would focus so much on her village rather than move off to find easier targets. If it was too dangerous for them to challenge the locals why stick around? Her only answer was maybe ego kept them there, moving on might make them look weak so they hung around harassing the area in a paltry attempt to assert themselves and look stronger than they were. In a word she had called them cowards, too afraid to risk it all but also too prideful to know when to move on.

Sailing up the river more crocodiles could be seen but were few in number compared to the days before. Birds dipped down at the water snatching up smaller fish while taller ones waded the shallows. All in all Shadow found it a very boring morning leaving her itching for something to happen but it never materialized.

About noon Qufai was relieved by Kalai choosing to come sit near Shadow speaking idly about the events of yesterday probing for a little information quietly about Valkardian. She dodged it all but knew he could hear them anyway but was choosing to ignore it. Finally giving up she changed subjects.

"What is Equestria like?"

Shadow mulled that question over for a minute comparing the two lands.

"Greener, more rivers and mountains, hills. No bandits though roaming the water ways or lands beyond. Boring. Boring would summarize it very well. Ignorant of the world outside too." Turning and facing Qufai she looked her over. "Before coming here I had never heard of Saddle Arabia, Zebrica or your kind. None of this exists anywhere in Equestria. I visited the library often but there were no books even mentioning your existence."

"How odd... Most of us know Equestria exists and have for a long time. Long ago ships used to travel there but anymore just one or two a year."

"Only one or two? Why?"

"Don't know. I only know that from listening to ship's captains talking in the cities. Sounds like a nice place to live."

Was it anymore? The more she learned the more doubt was cast upon the "wondrous" land of Equestria.

"No. Corruption and covering up the truth are becoming more important. Ignorance is celebrated and it's problems are only growing. Honestly I do not know if anypony knows the truth anymore and I think all that ignorance and isolation is about to bite Equestria in the flank.

Qufai shrugged. "It happens but the world will keep turning. Nothing can last forever after all. "

"But at what price..."

Patting Shadow on the shoulder Qufai stood and went to check on Yajfa. Valkardian sat with her when lunch was passed around.

"How would you compare these two lands to Equestria then?"

"Eaves dropping were we?"

"I like to know what is going on around me."

"More violent, less harmony, troubled, morals have slipped but it is also a wonderful land with wonderful... People. I do not regret coming here and would find it a good place to call home."

"No longer using the word "ponies" are we?"

"It just doesn't... Sit right with me anymore calling everypo-... Everyone a pony. Maybe I am just disenchanted after everything that has happened."

"So now they are just... People."

"Yes."

"So how do they have moral problems?"

"The whore houses."

"Do you think Equestria is without such places?"

"What?"

"One more reason ponies are so distasteful is their refusal to see the larger picture. They refuse to see the injustice, corruption and wickedness that surrounds them instead focusing only on the good and demanding everyone do the same. Just keep ignoring what is wrong and saying it is "only a few," isolated or a minor problem. Whores do exist in Equestria. Always have. Always will. Well... At least until they decide to deal with the problem rather than pretend it does not exist."

"How would you know that?"

"I keep tabs on the world as you well know and that includes keeping feelers cast far and wide to keep an eye on changes in attitude. Doing so is what alerted me to the coming war before you even knew of the possibility."

He stretched his back out a bit watching the shoreline for a minute before continuing. "You say this land is more violent but that is also not true. Equestria is just as violent only it is more spread out and isolated so it only appears to be quiet and boring. Truth be told there are so many critters running around causing chaos it is less safe in Equestria than here depending on where you go. Think about it, one major invasion that nearly succeeded already and another on the way but here they have had... Two is it? "Wars" in some six years with the current bandit problem being the most recent."

"Shadow. Remember to consider the whole picture first and not cherry pick what agrees with your view or belief. Personally I find these lands far superior to Equestria. The people are more honest and straightforward with conflict's being open and settled quickly. You will not find them lying about problems nor covering them up nearly as much either. Despite their problems they are more open and accepting."

"They do not accept you."

"Nor should they. However I remind you than unlike Equestria where if locations were reversed... Celestia and her "precious little ponies" would choose to fight me with everything they have while the true enemy tears at them from behind. Now here... I am not accepted but they are willing to work with me not against me to accomplish a greater common goal."

"Do you really believe Celestia would attack you if you came to help her?"

"Yes. She already has remember? Here is another fun fact for you... The one preparing to invade? He is Steelshod's son."

"He is Steelshod's son? Why would he invade?"

"Difference of opinion and he believes strongly that Equestria would be better off under his iron fist than Celestia's. That and he tried to conquer the sister's kingdom after his fathers death. Lost the war and was forced to flee over sea's with his followers and took a decent population with him."

"Let me guess... You know because you spy on him."

"Correct. Not nearly ENOUGH it would seem... But I will get all my answers soon enough."

"Like how a pony has survived for more than a thousand years without being an alicorn?"

"One among many questions I have."

Clearly Tatsu was well prepared for a fight. Tall mud-brick walls and short towers surrounded the village all garrisoned by a variety of troops be they militia or soldiers. A couple of small boats were moored at the dock's while others had been pulled up on the shore. Their arrival was marked by a small force fanning out on the edge of the village waiting on them to make the first move be it peaceful or hostile.

Along the banks fields were being tended by farmers who largely ignored the slowly passing boat save a few who were well armed. Kalai called out to one and received a wave back which calmed things down very quickly as they sailed closer to the village.

About the time they reached the dock the soldiers approached and one demanded to know who they were but was cut short by a local who called him an idiot. Qufai's boat was known by its markings and the other was being paranoid since she was standing in front of them as well. Tying the dhow up and crossing onto the dock the soldiers looked them over and left having lost interest.

Whoever the local was knew Qufai and they talked at length while Valkardian went into the village. Shadow hung around a moment before following him to see what was going to happen now that they had arrived. How long would they stay before attacking the bandit's and retrieving the artifact? Where exactly were they?

Every last villager she could see was armed with a motley array of weapons from spears to swords and a few axes and kopesh while other's had bows. Life appeared to be going on as if there was no threat at all however as they went about their business. One zebra weaving a basket examined Shadow curiously before returning to work. So far that was all the attention gained by the locals, they were too busy with other matters to care about two strange newcomers.

Valkardian on the other hand was outside a small building speaking with someone and after a few nods coins exchanged hands.

"We will be staying here tonight in the back left room."

"So tonight we...?"

"Maybe. For now lets walk a little and listen."

Absorbing the conversations going on there was little to learn so turning back around he brought them to a small open air building with tables and sat down. Qufai and her siblings passed by going somewhere else and she only stopped a moment to know how long they would stay before going off on her own errands again.

A large clay jug was placed on the table along with clay cups quickly enough before the questions started to fly. So far nothing had really happened, the bandits had made one attack on the village two weeks ago and lost handidly to the locals. The zebra who served them named Anub gave a strong impression the soldiers who had shown up before the battle had been largely useless but not unwelcome.

What upset Anub the most was two villagers who had left to join the bandits, they would not be getting a quick death if captured but instead have their eyes burned out with heated coins and left to wander the desert toungless too. Overall things were downright boring as most the locals had actually hoped for a real fight and a chance to cash in the bounty on more than two hundred and fifty some odd bandits.

Hearing the new number estimate made Shadow flinch a little, taking on so many and winning would be quite an interesting feat of madness and martial prowess. Looking around it also explained why the bandits had only made the one attack. Tatsu according to Anub had a population of three hundred or so depending on season as the mercenary bands came and went.

If the bandits could not take the village with surprise on their side they had no hope in tartarus of destroying Tatsu with so few since every last villager and child capable of bearing arms, was. More than anything though the locals were annoyed with the military for not agreeing to either go out and find them then kill them all or defend the village while a few warbands went out and did it for them.

Whoever was in command had been ordered (by Betu probably) to simply stand by and wait while the villagers were told to do the same. A force was on the way to deal with the bandits and to just let them handle it but of course there was no explanation as to who, what or how many were being sent but Shadow knew the answer: Two.

In the meantime the village went about their business doing patrols, spying on the enemy camp now and then while tending the fields and pretending nothing was going on. Leaving them to drink in peace Anub wandered off his little "brewery" he had set up on the other side of the building. Pouring out some of the alcohol and taking a drink of it she found it to be rather good.

A strong barley beer made in giant clay pots Qufai explained joining them. Valkardian made no attempt to wave her off allowing her to sit and join them before the questions started up again seeing if she had learned anything: nothing they did not already know. They had gone to the local garrison commander to demand explanations but found a burned and frazzled captain who was sick of the locals demanding that explanation twenty times a day and ordered them out.

Kalai had a feeling that if things did not resolve themselves soon the villagers would probably take matters into their own hands soon and go deal with the problem Qufai explained and agreed with her sisters assessment of the situation. Everyone here was on edge waiting for something to happen in order to break the deadlock. With the road cut and now raids on boats tensions would rise till one side snapped and lashed out to break the deadlock.

Conversation soon drifted off after Valkardian quietly probed Qufai for the exact location of the camp and its distance before inquiring about the village thus derailing things in another direction. Shadow watched Qufai closely and noted her slight twitch when Valkardian moved the conversation on, a slight tightening of grip gave away that she was beginning to wonder about a great many things and that it could be hazardous to her health.

Touring the village was an utter bore but she had found a nice woven basket and purchased it to send back home. Stuffing a note inside of it first saying "from Tatsu" before putting inside her magical bag Shadow sought out Valkardian and prodded him for answers.

Back inside their little room he cast a spell to prevent eavesdropping then laid out a small crystal and powering it up revealing a map of the region. While it was quite an old map it had Tatsu displayed and pointing to another location he remarked the bandits were somewhere in that area. Finding a camp of two hundred or more would be child's play at night from the fires they would have.

"So tonight then?"

"Yes. The power of the artifact is spreading out and with tension running so high it is only a matter of time before either the forces here act or agents find them and steal it."

"Spreading?"

"What made the spear so dangerous was not just its use in battle but the aura it generates. Unfortunately most of that power is concentrated in the spearhead and simply by having it in their possession their inner desires of power and wealth are flooding out. This unfocused desire and greed is like sending up a giant flare for others of like mind to come and join them. That is why their numbers are growing and two locals went to join them. It's power worms its way into peoples minds and calls to them."

"I can definitely see Celestia wanting something that can do that..."

"Which is why she must never have it nor any other. While diminished since it is broken up just having the one piece is dangerous enough and is already bathing the countryside in chaos and if not removed soon... Blood. At any rate I doubt the bandit leader has any idea of what they have or things could be a whole lot worse. In the rights hands with proper focus their little gaggle could become thousands quickly and even Tatsu being so well defended would be wiped out."

"So that's why the battle was so destructive back then."

"Yes. To cancel it out a hellish amount of power had to be used and it worked but now Celestia has it in her head to repeat history all over again. Mind you she will only use it for "good" and to bring "harmony" to the world but even IF that were true... It would only be a matter of time before it fell into the wrong hands again."

"So when do we attack?"

"WE? No. I am going to attack tonight an be done with this matter."

"WHAT?! I thought I had a part to play!"

"You do. That's to stay here and keep an eye on things while I am gone."

"No."

"You will."

"No I am going. I did not come all this way to be left protecting... Bags. Bags that are already protected!"

"And that is what you shall do tonight."

"Why? Why am I being left behind?"

"I can not trust you in battle."

That was a hell of a smack across her face. Shadow blustered for a moment before demanding what he meant by that, had she not proven herself capable?

"In smaller battles and in formation fighting yes. Tonight though will be very different with no one to watch your back if we get separated as the fighting progresses. While I intend to just slip in and grab the artifact I fully intend to kill them all without sending up a massive magical flare to any watching. That means doing it the old fashioned way. You cowed down to fourteen poorly armored but well trained guards and soldiers. How can I trust you now to go into battle when the odds are more than a hundred to one? Rest assured you will be facing at least ten or more at the same time and once they are alerted it will be fifty to one."

*Sigh* "Shadow, you are an excellent fighter when the odds are around five or ten to one but your self doubt is what cripples you from becoming anything greater."

"I am NOT a coward!"

"Never called you one. Nearly castrating a guard in broad daylight is proof of that. Being so eager to board that ship and slaughter its occupants also does not show you as having a single drop of cowardice in you anymore."

"Anymore?"

"When we first met. Since then you have learned to ignore fear."

"I want to go..."

"Not this time. Maybe with more training till you are certain of your abilities but until then you remain behind. The matter is closed."

Rising up he put the crystal away and left the room dispelling the shroud of silence as he went. Shadow sat on the bed fuming. This was her big chance to prove herself and now she was being told to stay like a dog until she was "better trained." Fighting and killing a hundred bandits sounded daunting but if they were anything like on the ship she was certain between her armor stashed away in one bag, amulet and magical weapons it would level out the playing field.

She was no slouch in a fight either having proven that several times. The only reason Kalai had been injured at all was pure chance and luck. Then again it only took one enemy getting lucky one time. You can only loose one battle. Valkardian would be busy in battle doing his own fighting to help her if any scored a lucky hit so his concerns were founded. Still, being left behind on something this important only because of self doubt burned away at her.

Tonight when he left she would go. He was leaving her behind not because of a lack of fighting capability but due to her self doubt, Valkardians words had been specific so tonight she would prove to him that indeed there was no self doubt in her abilities. Who knows when the next chance to well and truly prove it would show?

True he would be mad with her but it was a risk she had to take. It also meant getting ready to go right now because come nightfall he would probably leave magically since walking out of the village was out of the question without being seen. Flying or teleporting. If he teleported away that could be a problem but with wings persuit would not be an issue since he had shown where their camp was. With fired giving them away zeroing in would not be a problem.

So what to take? Speed would mean everything which meant leaving anything cumbersome behind but armor was needed. Being able to fly in it was helpful but the gambeson would add more weight than needed and in this heat... It stayed behind. Hopefully the amulet would make up for the loss of protection. Sifting through her bags contents mentally Shadow finished drawing up a list and pulling the bag open dug around and arranged things to favor a fast armament and departure. Taking Qufai's advice that meant leaving the heavy shield behind, it would be useless tonight in the dark and having a weapon in each hand was more important.

Keeping a close eye on Valkardian as darkness fell was easy but not a lonely task as Qufai seemed to be keeping an eye on him as well but if he was aware of the eyes tracking him never once did he show it sitting on the bank of the river. When darkness fell completely he stood slowly and rose into the air like a ghost floating higher and higher before drifting off in the direction of the bandit camp somewhere beyond the ridge line.

Waiting until he was a bit farther off Shadow took to the air rapidly wearing only the bare minimum of clothing and her weapons, the armor was tucked away in the bag on her back so she would not get tired very quickly if the distance was too great.

Flying quickly after his fading figure Shadow looked below to see if others were following and saw a shadow slip from the village gate and into the darkness following them. It was not a fast pace, meant more for searching than getting somewhere quickly. Once over the ridge line small lights could be seen in the distance.

So that was the enemy camp then. The closer they got the more the lights stood out till they were strewn out casting light on various tents, shelters and figures. Valkardian had made a soft landing on the hill overlooking the war camp and landing a short distance away Shadow watched and waited. Qufai was not far behind taking up a hiding spot as well but another figure soon popped their head over a small ridge watching Valkardian intently.

Spies were out in force tonight and they all watched him dispel his illusion before planting his staff firmly in the sand and undo a pouch from his belt. Armor was brought out and laid on the sandy soil before clothing up the pouch and dawning it. From a distance it looked like chainmail. So he too had decided to go light and fast.

Pulling his staff free from the ground after putting a helmet on obscuring his face Valkardian dispelled whatever illusion his its true form from sight revealing a halberd. Its dark form was marked with trails of small, soft glowing runes she guessed, it was too far away to see but just barely make the light out. An axe blade on one side, long spike on the reverse with another long spike on top. So that is why the ones he hit with his staff on the boat were so... Mutilated.

Bringing an arm up and talking so softly her ears could hardly make out the words Shadow had already opened her own pouch and started to equip herself without making any noise to alert him. Dark magical forms flew forth from his pouch and spread out and with a quick beckon they fanned out into the night.

Hardly lower his arm more words flowed out and in a blink he disappeared from view. Straining her ears and eyes Shadow just made out some sand shifting from an invisible footstep. Dawning the last of her equipment and sneaking forward Shadow slunk into his old position and watched the camp below.

Whatever those things were they remained unseen but from up here it was possible to see his boots parting the sands below with each step. All eyes remained glued to the camp searching for him before settling on the largest, gaudiest tent in the middle. A few guards hung around the outside while others sat around a fire arguing or fighting drunkenly. This entire camp was so disorganized and rowdy it was impossible to imagine then being able to fight a real battle. "Thus is the power of the spear" Shadow thought.

Motion at the tent gave him away, both guards fell silently from an invisible blow across their throats. None noticed however, too busy drinking and fighting to care even if they did. Tent flap opening and closing the world seemed to hold its breath waiting on something to happen.

Valkardian had finished dawning his light armor and dispatching wraiths to make certain none would escape. Many were out and about tonight including one he had told to stay behind. Bullheaded and eager to prove herself. "Maybe I should have worded things better. Never mind." A simple invisibility spell hid him from view and walking quickly down the ridge hill and into the sands that stretched off into the distance beyond he made straight for the largest tent.

Passing the one single perimeter guard made this whole affair seem rather insulting. Getting into the camp without the need for invisibility was more than possible even by a blind idiot. No chances would be taken though, until that spearhead was put safely in his pouch and teleported away to the waiting hands of servants all precautions would be taken.

Gaudy as could be the "bandit chiefs" tent had only two guards and the nearest help was twenty some yards off too drunk to notice when he swung the sharp spear tip of the halberd at the guards throats slicing them open. A little magic made them fall straight down quietly as blood poured from their throats.

Slipping into the tent and looking around a few forms could be made out sleeping on one side. Turning away quickly and searching fast the spearhead was easy enough to find, attached to a flimsy wooden shaft and lashed with rope into place. Seeing such an ornate and powerful artifact bound into place like this made him want to laugh as it looked like a child had done it but also sad to see just a marvelous piece of craftsmanship brought so low.

Undoing it and sliding it into a small pouch Valkardian held it up in one hand and with a few words teleported it away. Servants would soon have it before sending it off again, when he got back from vacation it would be retrieved and burried deep under a mountain which was under ten miles of ice on the northern pole. There were no caves there so any who desired it would have to know its exact location and dig down for at least ten miles to get it. It was good to save a few little nooks and crannies for such things when found through scrying.

"Now. That leaves one last thing..." His thoughts again turned to those sleeping behind him. Tonight the camp would burn and all those within would die. No witnesses. Well he would not kill the three spies but there would be no living witnesses to the artifact if he could help it.

Looking down at the pile of bodies he found the primary target and looked them over. So it was a she not a he that led them and she had certain... Appetites. A filthy Arabian mare with what could be a pink coat and blue mane lay sprawled out in the middle, the filth made it so hard to tell...

To either side were two more forms, one a very young zebra colt bound up and bleeding. His eyes while open were vacant, staring off at nothing and not moving an inch when he approached and the only show of life was his slowly rising and falling chest. A filly was on the other side looking much the same but facing away and it did not take a genius to know figure out what their purpose was.

Lifting his halberd up a few feet he brought it down quickly severing the bandit leaders head from her body. Neither of the kids moved an inch and the boy had not even looked his way. Drawing the blade back Valkardian brought the tip to the boys chest and drove the spike into his heart and twisted before doing the same to the girl. Watching the eyes partially close he walked to the tent flaps and threw them open and walked out.

Striding down towards the little drunken party they hardly noticed his approach before the halberd's edge flashed in the firelight and their bodies fell one after another. Looking around in disgust that even this had not drawn attention from the rabble he walked away from the fire a bit and decided to go with plan B.

A little magic could go a long way to amplifying a voice and garnering attention far and wide. Letting out a howling shout he sent out a wave of magic that rung the entire camp in a wall of fire.

"Hear me you bastards! Rise from your beds if you can and fight me! Come you cowards and whores! Tonight I shall send you to hell and for the rest of your tortured existence you will remember me!"

It was over the top, egotistical and pathetic but it had the effect he was aiming for as heads popped up and soon there was a mass scramble to grab weapons and charge him. It had been a long time since he had a chance to indulge in a fight like this but it would be entertaining all the same.

While they waited the various spying parties looked at each other, Shadow had given a little wave at Qufai who halfheartedly returned it. It was rather hard to hide out here in the desert, she supposed burrowing down into the sand might work but not standing or leaving your head sticking up like they were.

Nothing happened for a long while but eventually he emerged and walked over to the drunken revelers and with a few swift motions dispatched them before looking around in disgust. Had he really needed to be invisible? This was rather pathetic if they still had no idea he was in the camp just standing there for all to see even killing a handful and waiting.

For a moment she thought he might just leave but he raised an arm and flames erupted sealing the camp and those inside its confines from escape less they risk running through a wall of fire. His shouting had made them all duck a little and his declaration was rather laughable but it had an immediate effect.

Heads popped up and out of tents looking to see what was going on before disappearing only to re-emerge with weapons. So he wanted them to attack him. Was he crazy or have a plan? No, he always had a plan. This one seemed crazy but it was working as more flooded out and towards him as shouts of alarm carried up to her on the soft wind.

What was more pathetic than anything was the little shelter nearest him. A bandit raised his head and looked up, said something and went back to sleep. Well it was now or never. Join the fight and prove herself or tuck her tail between her legs and wait. Standing up and drawing her swords Shadow lifted into the air and flew towards the camp from high in the air to avoid the flames and began to pick out a point of impact and victims to indulge her savage side with.

A single bandit sleeping not ten feet away had only raised his head and muttered "Shuddup" before going back to sleep again and snoring. The indignity of it, the least they could have done was show a little desire to fight not pour out and look like idiots standing around trying to figure out what was going on. Even the shouts of alarm did little.

"Alright, time to piss them off a little."

Magically hoisting the offending stallion from his mat so all could see him Valkardian slashed his stomach open with the halberd and left him hanging there in the air screaming and fighting to hold his guts in for all to see. The effect was instantaneous as angry screams filled the camp and the hoard surged towards him from all sides. Flicking the stallion aside and holding his ground he waited on them.

Cutting down the first few with a simple sweep the rest pounded past the bodies in a mad rush to kill and maim the strange creature invading their camp. Swinging and moving now he aimed sweeping blows at legs and nearly diving for any openings to get around whatever mob had pushed ahead of the rest. If only they would cluster up a little more.

Pushing aside a wall of spears and sweeping at head level several failed to remember to duck and lost their heads or had their throats opened. Those that remembered staggered back a bit into the next mass of bodies before moving forward again. It was child's play to cow them down a little so he could move away and do the same to another group. If they had all kept pressing in as one they might of had a chance.

Instead they huddled together before charging in with a flurry of poorly aimed blows hoping that just one would land a hit. They failed. Again and again they would fail and he stepped aside quickly and returned their failed attack with a flurry of blows or stabs driving them back. A quick motion of the hand had sent one group running as the first six had taken bolts of magic to the chest resulting in a gory popping sound that tore their chests open.

Ducking a particularly brave soul that charged in alone after the magical demonstration Valkardian swept the blade at her legs but she jumped. Smart one. Quickly raising the blade into the air he caught her with the reverse spike and brought her back down just as quickly. Leaving her holding her severed tendon screaming he turned towards the next mob and charged them. They were still not swarming enough for the plan to work.

Shadow watched from above for a moment and picked out a group that was gathering up in numbers. A mare was organizing a little warband of her own to charge in all at once and deciding this would be her best target tonight the thestral dived hard at her target.

All hell broke loose when the bandits found their leader standing there one moment organizing them to overpower the psycho attacking their camp alone (and somehow winning) then the next moment she just... Well the only part their brains could register was one moment she was there yelling and the next only the body remained.

A creature of some sort landed not far away and all heads turned to see a nightmare dressed in armor with large flared reptilian wings and glowing eyes greeting them. Before they could act the thing rushed at them swinging two blades cutting flesh and tearing limbs from bodies. They panicked.

Shadow was giddy. Only moments had transpired from when she made a low, fast pass over their leader taking her head off in one quick blow before landing. The looks on their faces had been priceless but when she rushed into them cutting them down left and right. Now they were stampeding to get away from their attacker in mass pandemonium.

A few had turned to fight but they swung so clumsily and in panic she simply stooped down and aimed for their legs. It was amazing that despite being a good three feet shorter than many of them they acted like she was nine feet tall the way they ran and threw wild blows at anything that moved even hitting a few of their own in the rush to escape her onslaught.

Her body count kept rising as she chased them towards the wall of fire and only then did they stop and begin to turn. Valkardian had put this barrier up so odds were it would kill them on the spot if they tried or leave them running like lit matchstick's across the desert. Driving them onward a few made a leap of faith and burst into flame and went screaming into the night ablaze falling a short distance away.

Grinning like a madmare she dove into the mass of bandits swinging, cutting and stabbing. Waters parted as more bodies fell and two stabbed at her with spears hoping to keep her at bay. Her longsword sliced the spears into sticks and dodging slightly Shadow brought her kopesh around and under them cutting their bellies open before dancing away.

It was a dance. A violent, deadly dance. A dance of death. While Valkardian had taught her to fight alone Aliya had shown her motions she never knew her body was capable of. Adding a swaying to her movements Shadow found she could weave her way very easily through and around their blows driving a few of them to the point of madness.

One of the larger ones finally worked his way forward and threw a mighty blow with a spear, its incredibly heavy shaft left the air screaming at its approach and jumping above the blow he swung it back up. Flapping her wings a moment and driving her legs down canceling out what little upward momentum there was she stared into his shocked face.

He kept staring bug eyed at the creature on the end of his pear made from a boat oar as it looked back with glowing eyes, it just perched there for a moment then was gone. Turning to see where it went the world spun for a moment as his body fell to the ground.

Too easy. The big dumb oaf had just stared with his mouth open even while she darted past him slashing him neck as she went. His massive striped body fell with a soft thud in the sand as she tore into more of them. No matter how many she killed more kept coming.

Screams of panic and terror to his right alerted him to Shadow's arrival. While it complicated matters a bit making plan B impossible to carry out there was always the next one. She was truly bullheaded. It made perfect sense she wanted to prove herself capable and while annoying and a bit disruptive her joining the fray was not unwelcome. No sense keeping all the fun to himself.

Efficiency was of the utmost important but who said one could never have a bit of fun while they were at it? Parrying another blow and goring the attacker Valkardian made quick mental note of the enemies density before casting off another quick spell.

Farthest away from them the wall of fire began to close in burning everything in its path driving any stragglers to them and urging whatever mobs remained farther away in. It meant they would be pressed hard by numbers very, very soon but as he listened to the terrified shrieks he knew she would be fine.

As the fire closed in he fell back bit by bit towards her until his last sweeping turn gave him a glimse of what was going on. Bandits were either running away or chasing after her. Some that were trying to get away dove through the wall of fire. Turning away and letting off another blast of energy into a group getting a little too close felling them he pushing another group back closing the distance between himself and Shadow.

It was almost time to enact the last part of the plan, his wraiths ringing the camp from outside the fire were quite useful allowing his a birds eye view of events in short bursts between mobs. Checking on her one last time and seeing her perched on an oar with a rusty blade on the end before killing the stallion made him start laughing.

Smoke filled the air as everything was being burned by the encroaching fires. Shadow could see it when she had flown up for a moment before diving on a small mob hacking and slashing into their bodies felling them left and right while the sands drank up deeply of the carnage and gore.

Laughter was in the air now too, Valkardian had begun to laugh a few moments ago. A very happy laugh, he was enjoying this greatly. So what she. This felt good, better than killing the trog's. Trog's were instinctual vermin but these bastards deserved it Shadow had decided after the boarding of the other ship. They were doing the world a favor tonight even if it was not truly intended as such.

Numbers seemed to increase rapidly as more enemies crowded in trying to escape the flames causing a conundrum: many wanted to flee but knew they could not, others tried to escape the flame while more still shoved them all back in trying to get to the fighting. Bandits tripped and fell all over the place being stampeded in the rising chaos.

"SHADOW! Fly! Now! Fly straight up and get clear! NOW!"

His words screamed across their mental link and without thinking she flared her wings out and blasted into the air sending up a cloud of sand. Rising faster and higher till she could no longer feel the heat of the flames below she stopped and looked back down.

Seeing the damage from the air was remarkable, more than three quarters of the camp had been burned to cinders from the flames now and the only standing room left was a mass of writhing bodies turning in on him. What was he thinking?

"Conduit... I need another conduit..." Time was running out as the dense mass of bodies grew tighter and closed in on him, soon there would be nowhere to go but up. Catching a glimpse of a spear he closed distance and goaded its owner into thrusting it at him. Timing had to be perfect though and dodging he enticed another group to charge him.

Seeing the mass from the air it was all perfectly set up. Every piece was set just right for it to work. Slapping the spear aside and grabbing the shaft firmly he drove the halberd's point into the chest of another on his other side and gave a mental heave sending magic pouring down his arms and into the weapons.

Shadow slowly circled watching the events unfold but when he grabbed the spear and drove the halberd into another it all came together for her. She had seen him use similar spells against the trog's and he was doing it again but differently.

Electricity surged and sparked outwards and into the first two before bouncing to those around them leaping from one target to another. It was a domino effect as the lightning tore away at the densely packed throng of bandits blowing them either backwards or to their knees smoldering.

A mare was just outside of the blast holding her leg and screaming but the energy leapt from a nearby bandit and hit her in the chest. Bursting into flames when her greasy clothes caught Shadow watched her flail wildly at the sand trying to extinguish the flames that engulfed her form. She was the most unlucky one down there. At least the others fallen dead but having been just far enough away had given her a good jolt but not quite enough.

Wails of agony and torment kept rising up as the spiderweb of lighting raced outwards through them for a couple of seconds till only the crackling of burning shelters and tents remained. A dense mass of corpses lay strewn out below with Valkardian standing in the middle, his head slowly turning up to face her. She was in very deep trouble.