Which was more terrifying? The dead silence or his silent gaze? Shadow had landed close to him and they both just stood there quietly watching each other without making a move or sound as the crackling and snapping of the burning camp and bodies persisted. All the scorched flesh and charred, smoldering fur filled the air with a sick, choking odor.

Without a word Valkardian planted his halberd into the sand firmly and pulled a pouch off his belt and began to open it without ever breaking his gaze. Flinching slightly with worry building up Shadow wondered if he was going to stuff her in there with who knew what else but instead he just held it open. The ring of fire went out leaving only the burning camp for light and stretching his hand out to one side her eyes following the pouch.

A rush of air from all around brought with it an unnatural chill. Second's later the chill grew into a feeling of dread as her fur stood on end and goosebumps broke out across her body. The air around her seemed to drop to below freezing making her shake as the first of the ethereal beings shot past and into the pouch.

Her eyes caught a glimpse of another and sent a shudder down her spine. Ghost-like the thing was clothed in tatters and had a pale blue hue to its form with empty sockets and skeletal face of a long dead pony. More of them appeared and slipped into his pouch one by one. As one flew past part of its form brushed her arm and sent a deathly chill through her body.

Sixteen of them had entered the pouch when he jerked it closed and tied it back to on his belt. Armor was undone and returned to a pouch and Shadow quickly did the same in silence without looking away expecting at any moment retribution to fall for having refused to listen. None came however and reverting back to his pony form his halberd turned back as well and yanking it free from the sand he walked off towards the village.

From the ridge he once more flew back to the village landing along the dark riverbank while she flew behind him and together they slipped back into their room quietly and shut the door. Pointing at the bed he sat on the floor and leaned back against the wall while Shadow sat.

"Explain."

She flinched a little and her ears splayed back some while gears ground trying to figure out what to say that would not result in her getting in any more trouble than she already was.

There was nothing to say to her so he had chosen to ignore her while recalling the wraiths and dispelling the wall of fire. The return to the village had been quick and watching the two spies depart he knew there would be at least one interesting conversation tomorrow morning when they headed back down the river.

Entering the room and waiting on Shadow to enter Valkardian only pointed to the bed after shutting the door and leaned back against the wall. One word was spoken: Explain. Not that he needed one from her since it was quite obvious as to why she had done it.

Their little fight not so long ago about her staying behind had worn heavily on her and the remark he could not trust her in a fight while true had wounded her deeply. Ever so eager to prove herself Shadow had followed him and joined in the battle in the hopes of proving herself to him and remove any bad marks to her name and abilities.

Not that it was necessary of course but she did not know that. To her all that rang in her mind was his remarks on self doubt and lack of trust which drove her to act foolishly tonight but then again it was not all bad either. An inability to follow his command was a problem but she had meant well with her actions and done very well too proving that she did not in fact have issues of self doubt now.

Valkardian was faced with a real conundrum now, if he cut her down for joining in it would stunt her permanently as a fighter and her ability to think and decide for herself would be heavily damaged. To not would have a similar effect in that she might become too over eager and think it alright to disregard his instructions or warnings.

Words would have to be chosen carefully and as her ears laid back and deep seeded worry filled her eyes as she thought hard and rapidly to come up with a satisfactory excuse for her actions. No. He would not punish her, it was natural she would want to prove herself and had seized on every opportunity from the boat to now but it had not been enough. Seeking out the biggest way to prove herself she had dived in a larger battle desperately hoping to gain his favor again.

It had worked but she must also learn to listen, then again he should have known better than to trust such a hard headed and young individual would listen when their pride had been shattered with a chance to rebuild it was just around the corner. Another thing that made matters worse for her was having been raised as a pony not a thestral, her mind had been filled with propaganda and lies then poisoned with a philosophy fit only for the blind and deaf. Shadow had a long way to go but tonight she had proven more than willing to put forward the effort and for that there would be no punishment. Only a simple lesson.

"I just wanted to prove you can trust me in a battle even when the odds are against me."

It was short and to the point not to mention every last word of it was true. Shadow watched his blank face for any sign of anger. Anything. Anything at all would be nice but Valkardians features did not so much as budge but his gaze kept boring into her.

"I am sorry I did not listen to you."

"Never apologize for doing what you believe is right and necessary. However... You disrupted by plan tonight." Not entirely true but a point had to be made. "Tonight you did prove yourself very capable however you broke my trust in that you did not listen."

"It wont happen again."

"There may come a time when you should not listen to me but you need more training and teaching before you can understand such matters. I will allow this matter to slide because you are young and eager to prove yourself but the warning's and instructions I give you are for a reason Shadow."

"I understand."

"No, you do not. But in time you will. Had I been too embroiled in a real battle there is a chance your presence would have gone unnoticed until it was too late and you would have been struck down or severely injured by my spell. Rushing into the battle without knowing my plan was reckless and foolhardy but brave as well."

Shadow nodded.

"There is one promise I will make you however. After tonight I will not leave you out of future actions or events without first making certain you understand what is going on in case you become embroiled in them. You however must prove to me that you are capable of listening and following instructions."

Valkardian leaned his staff against the wall and with a quick motion of his hands both of them there bathed in a flash of light. Examining herself all the blood and grime of the battle was gone and he walked over and laid down on his side of the bed. Though it was smaller than what she was used too they both fit and drifted off to sleep.

At the crack of dawn they were up and on their way to the dock where Qufai was sitting studying them patiently. It was time for a great deal of explaining and lying or maybe he would just wipe her memory of events.

"So you are the ones sent to deal with the bandits."

Valkardian's gaze fell on Qufai. "Yes."

"What are you then?"

"Just a man with some extraordinary circumstances on his side."

"Bullshit."

"It remains the truth. Beyond that my only remark would be that I am a wizard... Necromancer and warrior."

"Feh. I dont know what they paid to have you destroy the camp but it must not have been cheap. When do you want to leave?"

"Now if possible, we are eager to get back to our vacation."

Qufai left to retrieve her siblings and Shadow stood relieved and stunned. She had mistaken them for mercenaries or agents representing someone. Well, whatever worked. Boarding the dhow and sitting they waited for a couple of minutes before the crew returned and got them under way.

Gliding out into the current the ship was guided back and forth following the weaving current towards the distant coast as Tatsu shrank behind them in the distance. Along the way they passed the larger ship they had "liberated" the day before now crewed by a handful of soldiers and sailors. Passing them quickly the smaller ship zipped along in the current.

Yajfa had brought some clay pots with him and opening them up spooned out the contents and breakfast was served. A dense mush of some kind with boiled vegetables and spices was their breakfast along with fresh bread and munching away Shadow remembered a part of Betu's conversation and turned to Valkardian.

"What DID you do to that high priestess anyway?"

"Kill her."

"Yes... But that you became "legendary" from whatever you did leaves me wondering. What happened?"

Valkardian stopped eating and put his bowl down.

"It was the... Second? Third? Time I had dealings with the priest's. Another artifact had been uncovered and long story short they wanted it kept under wraps like yesterday's events. After getting my hands on the object the others that were with me including the high priestess changed their minds about having it go back into hiding. She decided that it would be best if they kept it and used it to defend the nation and after quite a few words were exchanged... She tried to shoot me with a little crossbow she had hidden up her arm. Failed. The others attacked and after killing them I knocked her out."

"And then what?"

"Well they came looking and found a tanned hide nailed to a tree, a head on a spike missing its eyes was planted in the soil while hanging from a tree being pecked at by buzzards was the skinned body. A note had been burned into the hide with a few choice words I chose and the artifact gone. They did not take too kindly to that but apparently a few like Betu are willing to look beyond that and still work with me if it means keeping the peace. I made it very clear to them the price of betrayal was higher than what they wanted or were willing to pay."

Shadow grimaced at the thought of what he had done but he had not been the one to strike first, she had brought it on herself the moment they chose to betray him and break the deal.

"So you upheld the deal despite it?"

"Yes of course. Now if they had left out a very important detail in the deal... Well I would have at least hidden the artifact anyway."

"Did you strip her soul?"

"No. Does that question have to do with the wraiths?"

"Sort of."

"I have a small army of wraiths I use to spy at times but dont worry. They are gleaned from criminals and other less savory sorts. Kind of a pain raiding tartarus for useful souls though so there are not too many of them."

"You seriously raid tartarus for damned souls to use?"

"Not in a very long while. The time and power it takes to pull of a raid is just not really worth it. Also it is just too damned risky to raid the deeper parts for the more useful souls."

"You are insane and downright freaky."

"Thank you."

"So you store them in a pouch?"

"Oh yes, these bags are very handy! I even store bodies in them sometimes."

"Must be handy being able to just open a bag and have an army spring forth."

He cackled. "Oh that is true. Done it too. Bastard tried to betray me long ago before Celestia was born and I had a bag full of skeletons and a few wraiths. His little army thought they had me since I was alone till I opened the bag and all hell broke loose."

"I could imagine..."

"The best was when the dragon popped out. Their faces were priceless."

"You had a dragon stored in one of these bags? How the heck does that even work!? How much can one of these things hold?"

"Depends on how I make them. Not a live dragon though, dead one, skeleton actually. Hard as hell to make them with their magical resistance but where there is a will there is a way. That and a couple long centuries of study and experimentation..."

"How large is your army anyway?"

"My little secret. Now tell me, how do you feel after killing all those bandits? That was the first time you have drawn blood of species similar to yourself."

"Nothing. They were bandits and murdering people up and down the river. Why should I feel bad about killing them?"

"Just checking. We will be stopping in a place I call "Thebe's" by the way. Minor capital of this sub-region, cant even begin to pronounce its actually name."

Shadow looked over at Qufai and asked her what the name was and after the response settled on calling it Thebes.

Drawing up at the dock and tying up the ship they disembarked a day later and found a nice hotel to stay at and began to wander the streets. Shadow watched the uniquely dressed people walk past on the street and marveled at just how different this area was compared to the first city.

Decorations were less carved and more painted on and very heavy on symbology here but what it all meant was beyond her at the time. Most buildings were not heavy stone construction but mud-brick or plastered over with abode and if painted were white.

What fascinated her more was the clothing they wore which was by far quite different featuring one simple robe or dress with more emphasis on short wraps around the waist and chest. It was like most of the population here walked around in either bikini's or swimming trunks of some kind at all times. Then again most wore just the bare minimum and a good breeze would be quite revealing.

Turquoise and other colorful stones were a favorite for neck and arm wear while some wore bronze neck bands but they were few and limited to zebra's. She had seen quite a few like that in Tatsu but here it was less popular or maybe it was unique to tribe or region.

Head dresses were popular amongst the mare's but one thing that stood out was how almost all of them had their manes cropped short and straight or in many small tight braids with bronze caps or bands on the ends. The use of eye shadow was also heavy with even some stallions having designs painted around their eyes but the mares had it the most with long bending lines emphasizing their eyelashes and the corners of their eyes with some kind of black paint or charcoal.

Blue and black were very common for coloring of the eyelids but a few had other, rarer colors and were dressed better making it easy to tell who had the most wealth in the crowd. One or two were even being carried around in small little boxes with fine linen and silk covers to protect them from the sun while heavy, elaborate gold and gem encrusted necklaces hung down obscuring their upper chest from view.

"I have my own interest's today Shadow so why dont you wander a bit? I will meet you back at the hotel later."

She nodded and watched him wander off into the throng wondering how he kept any of them from nicking themselves on his halberd. Making her own way she found shops selling elaborate jewelry and even bracelets for her ankle's and began browsing for things to buy or send back to her family.

It was not hard to find a great number of exquisite pieces for herself or family and buying a few she slipped them into her pouch earning a wide eyed stare from a passing mare as they all fit inside a much smaller container. The elaborate head dresses fascinated her greatly and visiting a clothier found a large assortment available.

Caps, afnet's, seshed's, wigs and more were on display in an immense display of variations, designs, colors and prices. What made her almost loose focus though was the mare that bustled around selling it all. Medium height and build with tan coat and jet black mane no one gave her a second look despite her breasts being on display as the two straps that held up her dress were to either side hiding nothing.

Customers came and went but none batted an eye and looking back into the crowd searching Shadow found one or two others dressed like her and even one wearing less. The concept of modesty here was... Different. Focusing hard on the items on sale she lost focus when one entered and joined her in browsing wearing nothing but a short skirt with some kind of fish net thing with bronze disk's.

Desperately trying to stay focused Shadow was worried that if the salesmare came her way she would loose it but instead another mare came out wearing a full, tight fitting dress accentuating her hips with zig-zag patters and striking colors. Talking after all the distractions was a little difficult but making some fast purchases figuring her mom might like the cap and silver band with turquoise inlay Shadow hustled from the store past some new arrivals.

Back in the street and items stored away she kept walking and began to more critically examine those around her, none were dressed in the same layered clothing she wore not that any seemed to care. A stallion stepped out into the street to take a breather dressed in a long white robe and striped head dress of some kind, the way others avoided him he was someone important.

Actually now that she had spent more time looking around and getting farther away from the dock's and the passerby's the more Shadow realized just how incredibly different these people were compared to farther up North. Only a few days travel changed everything as the locals here cared less about modesty and more about staying cool compared to up North where modesty was very important.

The deeper into the city she went the less they wore till finally it looked like she had entered a working area where clothing was a suggestion not a rule. Turning around quickly and going back after getting an eyeful Shadow wandered the streets aimlessly and stopped only once to try something that smelled savory at a little shop before moving on. Barley beer was also a favorite here not wine, any time she walked past anyplace selling alcohol the smell was always similar.

Somewhere along the way an actual pony had walked up to her and asked for directions and inquired politely to her name and where she was from. Remembering Valkardians warning and finding it odd she would brush into the only pony in the entire city she dodged the questions somewhat and was on her way quickly.

Picking up the pace wondering if the sinking feeling was paranoia or instinct Shadow made a bend in the street and accidentally found herself in an alley. Turning back quickly and re-entering the street and making another turn to get back on track towards the inn she felt a sharp sting in her leg.

Looking down a dart was sticking out and yanking it free she focused on the mental link with Valkardian and tried to yell but collapsed before she could call out. Shadow never actually felt the ground though, arms grabbed her and drug her off quickly as her eyes closed and the world went black.

Murmurs and sharp exchanges of words brought her around slowly as something tugged at her body. There was a great urgency in their voices then a snapping sound and a pained yelp. She could feel her belt being undone and pulled away and the voices became clearer while sight slowly returned.

Looking up through the haze that clouded her eyes she could make out three figures working quickly to strip her. One was the pony from before along with a unicorn and Arabian. A fourth voice from somewhere farther off called back urging them to hurry up.

"She is coming around! You were supposed to give her enough to knock her out for hours!"

"I did! She never removed the dart! Maybe the clothes absorbed some of it! Want me to dose her again?"

"No."

A set of emerald eyes looked down at her as the indigo unicorn bent over her. The mare studied her for a moment before patting her on the cheek to wake her as if it would wear off the drug's faster.

"Wakey, wakey. Ah there we go... Good now just focus. I have some questions and would be very pleased if you answered them. Now first off how do we open your pouches?"

"Rggh... Fuck off..." Whatever they had dosed her with was rapidly wearing off and she wondered if the amulet had anything to do with it.

"Wrong answer. Now we need to see the contents of the pouches or else I have to use my magic to tear the memories from your brain which will hurt a great deal. Please just cooperate."

Shadow glanced over at the Arabian, there was no doubt that Celestia's spies had caught up with them and had taken a wild gamble that they had something to do with the artifact and had guessed right.

"Damn traitor to your people, how could you side with that alabaster bitch over your own?"

He jerked back a bit at this.

"I work for my sultan no others." This did not sit well with the unicorn who glared at him silencing the stallion.

She would have spat but her muscles were still not one hundred percent but getting there quickly. These were not the brightest spies but then again... Ponies were not very good liars and apparently the one Arabian they brought along was no better.

"Piss off."

Letting out a sigh the unicorn shook her head and instructed the others to make certain the bindings held while she retrieved something else. Before they could put their weight on her Shadow had recovered and sent out a mental shout.

"Remove that amulet" the unicorn called from not far away and the Arabian reached for it but was given a heavy shock. Reeling back she took advantage of the opportunity while he nursed his hand and heaved up testing the limits of her strength as modified by the amulet.

Bond snapped quickly as she rose up and seized the nearest by the throat and squeezing with all her strength felt the throat collapse and tossed them aside. The mares body spun and flipped sideways crashing into something as she flailed trying to breathe. A magical charge made her turn left and seeing the unicorn watching calmly while powering up her horn Shadow reached out for the stallion and grabbed him.

Yanking body off the floor despite its greater size she used his body as a shield against the oncoming spell that erupted from the unicorns horn blasting into him and knocking him unconscious. Jerking at the bindings around her ankles they snapped and Shadow rolled from the table onto the floor as another spell went off waking the stallion back up.

Pulling the table out from under him she spun it on end and used it like a shield looking for her weapons and found them against the far wall where the door guard was looking outside through a small opening and glancing back towards the fight trying to figure out what to do.

Their decision was made for them when the door exploded inwards sending them to the floor in a heap. Turning and firing blindly the unicorn sent a spell careening towards the doorway but it sizzled out with the wave of Valkardian's hand. Magic flew back crashing into the unicorn's body dropping her like a sack of bricks.

Driving the table forward into the Arabian knocking him to the floor in a heap Valkardian turned his attention back to the pony at the door and lifted them up and pounded their body into the wall with a cracking sound as bones snapped before dropping them.

Trying to get back up the stallion stumbled looking around wildly for an escape and bolted for a small window but Shadow was faster tackling him to the floor and grabbing his head began to pound it relentlessly into the floor.

Each crack of his head striking the floor made her feel a little better about the indignity of capture and her face contorted into rage and she pounded his head a little faster. The only thing that stopped her was an invisible hand that held them both in place.

"I would like to interrogate them first before you kill them..."

Letting out an angry sigh he released her and watched as he sealed the doorway up magically with an illusion before grabbing the unicorn and dragging her into a back room. Calling back he told her to bring the others quickly so he could begin and with her newfound strength dragged them into the back room with ease and laid them out in a row inside the small room.

The one with the crushed throat was quickly healed and tied up and left along the wall and while he sealed off the unicorns magic with a spell Shadow tied the others up. They would all be dead soon there was no question of that but what would happen in the meantime greatly intrigued her.

"Thank you for getting here so fast."

"Mmm. By the looks of things you were doing fine though. Still... How did they capture you?"

Her face turned angry again at the reminder. "They shot me with a dart in the street."

"No helping that then. Alright. Shall we begin?"

"Ready. Oh, that amulet... I know it had a whole list of effects but does that include dispelling the effects of drugs?"

"Yes."

"Cool." She watched as he hoisted the unicorn up magically and stapled her to the wall in the same fashion before slapping her hard across the face. With a pained groan her eyes opened and soon snapped wide as her eyes darted around the room before settling on Valkardian.

"Who the hell are you and what do you think you are doing?"

Valkardian began laughing in disbelief at the mares audacity.

"That is what I was about to ask but I already know the answer so... Do you know who I am or did she tell you?"

"Who tell me what?"

"Celestia. Never mind then, allow me."

Dispelling the illusion her eyes looked him over trying to figure out what and who he was. So Celestia had never told at least THIS spy about Valkardian.

"Alright. You were here after the spearhead but dont worry, its long gone."

"Where?!"

"No. You will tell me how you communicate with Celestia and then I decide if I let you live or not."

Sending a concerned look his way Shadow asked across their link if that was wise but by the sideways glance he gave her there was no intention of letting them leave here alive.

"I dont know what your talking about."

"Stoic to the end then. We do this the hard way."

"Are you going to use a spell to tear her mind apart?"

"Yes?"

"Good, the bitch was about to do that to me."

"Well then you get to enjoy seeing the tables reversed then. Now then..."

Grabbing the mare by the head and avoiding the horns Valkardian poured his power into her mind and she began to scream in agony as thoughts and memories were torn free no matter how deep they were buried. As it continued the other prisoners watched in absolute terror as the unicorns eyes glazed over and rolled back into her head as she kept trying to resist. Body spasming wildly and foaming at the mouth he finally let her go and stepped back before smiling.

"Got it. Now for you lot."

Turning to face the other prisoners they began to plead for and beg for mercy, one even managed to flop onto the floor and ground their head into the dirt sobbing to be spared.

"Hm. Shadow, do you have any questions?"

"Me?"

"Oh yes. You did quite a bit of damage yourself so if you wish feel free to ask some questions or just..."

He left the last part off but the way he moved his hand and wrist she got the idea.

"Well I do have one question..."

Approaching the mare who's throat she had crushed Shadow forced her to look up and gazed into her terrified eyes.

"How could you do this to anyone? Anypony... How could you just drug them, tie them up and threaten them like this? Even helping another who was going to do that (pointing to the mare on the wall) to anyone?! What the hell gives you the right?! This is not even your own country!"

She stuttered wildly at first but managed to spit out a few comprehensible words finally. "It is for the good of Equestria and the world."

"What the hell makes you think that putting something that powerful in her hands would be good for Equestria let alone the world? Do you have any idea what you were after or what it does!?"

"I just follow my orders!"

"And you died following them. You died earlier trying to hold me down so your friend there could torture me. Now I finish the job."

She tried to scream but Shadow's hands snapped out and grabbed her by the head and with a quick twist snapped the neck.

"A faster and kinder death that what you offered me."

Shadow left the room in a huff stepping over the groveling Arabian stallion swearing quietly leaving them to Valkardian. He let a low near inaudible whistle before looking down at the others and grinning.

She had sat on a box waiting on him to finish up listening to the quiet death throw's of the two prisoners as he dispatched them. A sliding thud meant he allowed the unicorn off the wall and lots of rustling sounds later he left the room once more looking like a stallion and joined her.

"Well. I have one official stop to make in Obiad before we leave for home. At any rate this was my fault for not figuring they would try something. Our vacation is still on and it is doubtful, very doubtful there are anymore agents in the region save one in Obiad."

"So vacation is still on?"

"Oh yes but we will make one more "official" visit with said individual before we go back. Oh and before I forget... That little thing you did standing on that bandits spear? Very nicely done. Also your little venting back in the other room was well deserved. Shall we go?"

Joining him at the door he magically dispelled it and they walked off as if nothing had happened. Passing through the streets they made their way back to the hotel and after eating called it a night.

Shadow could only keep thinking about the events at the little building however. A join spying operation had been undone in a few hours and she had not only helped but willingly and even happily helped Valkardian. One of the spies, an Equestrian no less had been killed (twice) by her own hands without any kind of regret. There was no regret over it even now, if she were back in that room all over again she would do it again and again.

Was she Equestrian? No. Pony? No. Shadow was now something else and while what eluded her one thing was clear: Shadow was now her own person and different from the rest of the ponies back in Equestria.