Shadow placed the brick onto the mortar as he helped build the wall up. They were using the same materials for the bricks for the wall as for the houses, just a bigger size. These were large blocks like cut stones. Their huts didn’t look like bricks. They covered the inside and outside of their houses with an earthen plaster to make a smooth look. They would do the same with the wall.
They were simple baked mud and grass bricks. The grass in the area was hardy, reinforcing the mud tenfold. This was an old traditional building material that the Zebras had been using for millennia before the war.
While they built and upgraded things, Shadow was teaching the villagers the basics of defending their homes. He was running his own basic training, just not as intense. These Zebras were not trying to be soldiers. Shanyisa only needed defenders.
Simi was a separate project. Shadow was drilling him hard every morning and every evening. It was a great way for Shadow to get himself back to his physical peak after his injuries. Simi was rising to the challenge and was already proving he would be a master of the battlefield.
The wall was the third project. The first was to plant the new farm. The original garden was relocated, with guidance from Shadow, to the other side of the spring. They moved a house to allow for it’s expansion. The old garden was where they put the compost bin. A lot of the natural growth in the area was cut down to jump start the compost.
The second project was to build up the spring. It was a three tier design. The spring started halfway up the short cliff. The ground quickly became tough stone. They built a central well almost two meters wide. It went up from the stone base to a foot below the actual exit hole. It used the same sized bricks as their houses. The baking process made them water resistant.
Ukazwa was helping make the bricks, and Shadow believed she was doing something special to them in the fire. Zebra magic was even more foreign to him than Unicorn magic. And he barely understood Unicorn magic. She barely understood her own magic.
Once the water filled the large reservoir up, it spilled out the channel at the top to the second tier a short way below. This was a very wide pool that encircled the first tier. It captured the water and served as the main draw point.
The third tier was again, an exponentially wider pool that encircled the others. But it was in two parts, separated by a low wall. The break was tall enough to form a good barrier, but short enough the partitions could share water if the level rose high enough. The goal was for it to always keep the main part full. The main part flowed out back to the original creek.
They had reinforced it by clearing the dirt away and forming it’s path with bricks and a specially hardened version of the plaster. A fake stream in some ways, but it looked good and kept the charm of the original spring’s path, just wider and with a slower, controlled flow. It was barely an inch deep, but it required a few simple bridges to arch over it to allow them to cross it. They did an amazing job at making it look deeper than it was.
The second portion of the third tier was on the right side. It was the irrigation portion. It had gates that could be opened. The gates channeled the draining water down the open pipes and then directed it out to the farm. Gates allowed them to choose which pipes it flowed to. Not all the crops needed the same amount of water. Flutes in their sides allowed the water to slip out and water the ground. It was efficient. They no longer had to used buckets to try and collect water and then pour it onto the plants.
Since planting, the cherry trees had grown into strong saplings. The turnips were nearing their first harvest. The rosemary were strong bushes as well. The rest of the crops were not far behind. Even without fertilizer, the seeds were in love with real soil. None of them had seen it for generations. It was either hydroponics or cloud farming, which was basically hydroponics.
“Mtoaji,” Xys said coming over to the part of the wall Shadow was working on. “Come. We have something to show you. A special project for your due.”
Shadow wiped sweat from his brow and followed Xys to the center of the village. A break was nice. He had been moving the massive bricks all day. She pointed to above the cliff. They had erected a hut above. He hadn’t planned on one being placed there. They were going to be securing above the cliff to prevent enemies from climbing the cliffs and flanking them. But a hut wasn’t something he had planned.
“Mponyaji needs the healing bed back, which would leave you at a lack. Designed this we did, and from you the plan we hid. You can physically watch over us, a thing you pride yourself as a truss.”
“I didn’t think about myself,” Shadow smiled. “A great gift is this, one that was a perfect use of the coulisse. I will treasure it each night, it shall be in my life a great light.”
Shadow stepped over to the ladder they had erected. It was a simple one they would need to update later, but it worked. He had his wings, but they had to be able to get up somehow.
The hut was large. It was set a bit back from the edge, giving him plenty of space to survey the village. Shadow had been using the cliff at night to watch over the village. If things went as planned, he would be watching over the whole city from here. They had the room as the land sloped down from the cliffs.
The cliffs were a solid defense for the village. The village’s were a good 60 feet high. To the northeast only grew taller until they were towering above the landscape. The southwest went on until they stopped about 20 feet high. The south side was the weak point from a defense standpoint, but the cliffs didn’t stop for a good two miles.
The village’s houses were laid out in a special pattern that was an ancient way to give importance to the occupants. The location of Shadow’s hut was outside those plans, but the very fact that it was outside made it special.
Xys joined Shadow’s side as they looked out over the village. The wall had encircled the huts with some breathing room. They put in several more small huts along the wall, which also served as the base for stairs to be built to the top.
The wall they were building wasn’t some thin or short thing either. It stood 5 meters high, 3 meters thick and included a high paraphet and solid crenellations that provided plenty of cover for defenders on the wall. The battlements could easily shrug off a bullet. The outside was going to have wards and glyphs painted on it for added protection. They meant business.
It was almost done. They would have the center open to allow for the creek. A Y bridge would go over the creek to connect things. It would provide them the point to place a small post on the other side of the creek to restrict and cover anypony coming into the city.
They could build more as the village grew into a city. Shadow had grand plans. If they set things up to grow, others would come and begin to work with them. As they grew in size, they grew stronger. As they grew stronger, the could secure the entire area from warlords, which only encouraged more growth. It was all simple things, based on what he knew about keeping a farming community together and thriving.
Xys spoke up. “Matoji, there is more, something that is perfect for those skills of your. A village is a little over a day’s travel away, and we know they have a communications relay. Ukuzwa says we need it to listen to the Equestrian Land. We can hear from here despite the great sea of sand.”
Shadow gave a slow nod. “Go there and set up relations. See what they want for the relay. Provide a mutually beneficial trade.”
“I wish for Simi to follow, there is more to a warrior that he needs to swallow.”
“Of course,” Shadow said with a nod. “I will not train him tonight. Or else sleep may become an oversight.”
Shadow jumped off the cliff, opening his wings and cruising to the part of the wall that Simi was working on.
“Fall out soldier,” Shadow ordered. “We have a mission tomorrow. We are being asked to establish relations with a nearby village. Early bed, early to rise and a good push there.”
“Yes Sir!” Simi said with a salute.
Shadow headed back to his new home. It was big inside. It was sparsely furnished, but it was his. Most importantly, it had a bed. It also had a cauldron stand over the central fire pit, a standard in all huts. The bed was a good distance away, but it would keep the heat in during the cold times. A food table was present, and so was a workbench. Shadow knew it was a workbench because they had placed his battle saddle on it.
More chairs and luxury elements would be added later. For now, he had what he needed. The village had to work on the defenses and growing, not making furniture. He would figure out decorations later.
Before the sun rose Shadow was stretched and limber. He had his battered combat gear on and battle saddle. The combat knife was in its usual spot and the revolver was strapped on. Shadow even had Soarin's Lightning in the throw bag. He had loaded out dozens of times, but this felt different. He felt ready, but it was odd not having Kifo Herixleta on him. It was right, but it was a new feeling.
Shadow wrapped Mwokozi's cloak around him for a polished look. It was designed to look normal while worn. Shadow had learned several new ways to wear the extra large cloak. This warp was worn short, not below his knees. He could have it up, over his head to block the elements and it wouldn’t engage the magic.
Simi was waiting for him at the soon to be exit to the village.
"I'm going to set a fast pace," Shadow warned him. "Try to keep up. This is like any other training segment. Endurance saved my life multiple times. A master of the battlefield needs a lot of endurance. Plus I want to get there before night. The two of us should be able to make that push."
"Yes sir!"
Shadow was working on learning to understand the rhyming language. He didn’t want to stop Simi, but he was enforcing short responses without rhyme for orders. Clear and quick communication was the goal, not stopping how he spoke.
Simi followed Shadow out. Shadow had a basic idea where he was supposed to go. Maps were not currently available. He was going to be using the PipBuck to map what he could during the journey. It would require manual inputs.
They moved along the stream which eventually trickled into a larger, real stream. The target village was on a river. That was about all they knew. They would be following the water through several changes until they got there.
They got to the river by late afternoon. It was unclear from that point where exactly this village was. Downstream ended up in more of a marsh. It wasn't a good place for communication equipment. Shadow took them upriver. It wound its way up towards another set of cliffs.
The river was still a decent size when Shadow spotted the broken antenna. It hadn't weathered well. Still, it had its promise.
Shadow corrected his cloak and they made a beeline to the village. They were not trying to be quite. The last thing the village needed was for them to sneak up on them. But it was too quiet.
The village was deserted.
"Stay right here," Shadow ordered Simi. A quick peak into a hut and Shadow and walked back out. "They left in a hurry. They have food cooking in the cauldron. Now we just need to convince them to come back. That we are not a threat."
"How?" Simi asked. He was mastering the one word and short conversation as he was being trained.
Shadow chuckled. "I was hoping you would know. I guess, I have wings for a reason. I'll fly up a bit and see if I can spot them."
Shadow wasn't off the ground long when an old Zebra came out of the brush.
"A Pegasus has never seen this part of our land! Answers I demand!"
Shadow landed in front of him. "I am here with Simi to establish relationship with this village. We are from Shanyisa. We want access to your communication equipment."
Several others came out and surrounded them.
"We won't consider anything until we have guns. Right now whenever a threat comes he must run."
Shadow looked around at the small village. It was a little bigger than Shanyisa. And they didn't appear to have any guns. None of the ones surrounding them had any weapons, not even crude knives. It was odd. Equestria was saturated with firearms.
"I'll get you 12 standard Zebra battle rifles," Shadow said. "It will take a week or two to get. Besides, I need to resupply Shanyisa. We have most of our defenses up, but we need ammo."
"Where are you going to get them?"
"I'm guessing the Warlords have a monopoly on weapons, ammo, and equipment. But I have an alternative source. I could always go kill them for it. It wouldn’t be that hard for me. I am a Pegasus, with, special abilities."
Shadow pointed with his head and Simi followed him out of the village.
"That didn't go well. You didn't even make a tough sell."
"They were spooked," Shadow explained. "Just like you guys were when I arrived. We get them armed, they will become very friendly. Only allies share valuable equipment like weapons and ammo. Sometimes you have to step out first, and often you are greatly rewarded for it."
When Shadow and Simi got back to Shanyisa, he immediately went to Xys.
"Xys, I need the cart. I know it will basically halt the building, but I need it. They want guns. I promised them 12 rifles. I know where to get that and more, but I need the cart to do any of it. Plus I can get more for us. Especially ammo."
"Where will you be going?" Xys asked.
"The mountains to the north east of us. Kifopiga is there. That is where I met Mwokozi and the Zebra Ghouls. It is where I got the sword and half my weapons. It is well stocked. Simi and I can make the journey. It won't be bad if I can fly with the cart."
"Fly?" Simi asked.
"Pegasi have chariots we use to pull things in the air. If I can get it to work, then we will make that journey a lot easier. I have never flown one though."
"Go," Xys said. "In the morning make this be. This is something I want to see."
The morning brought new challenges Shadow had never experienced. He had flow with heavy equipment before, tackled flying in several types of armor, but pulling a raw cart, that was much different. And it was a large cart as well. It was built like the bricks it carried and it flew like one.
Simi was doing his best not to freak out. His first time flying was in a shaky "chariot" with a new "driver." He trusted Shadow mentally, but physically, his body was tense and sweaty.
All they had with them was some food, their basic camp equipment, and Shadow had his revolver and both combat knives. They were headed into harsh mountains that were uninhabited. They needed as little weight as possible, and they needed it to take up as little space as possible.
After 2 hours Shadow set them down.
"Are you going to make it?" Simi asked as he hopped off the cart. "Your body appears to have gone through a fit."
"Yeah," Shadow said after he took a long drink from his canteen. "I will be. New stuff to learn. I am one of the best fliers. Pulling a cart should be easy."
Shadow charted their location on his PipBuck. He gauged where Kifopiga was compared to their location. They were a bit off the course he had first set. The wind pulled at the cart as he flew.
"We have made good time. A lot better than I originally thought."
They got back to flying. They stopped for lunch and then Shadow pushed them till they landed for an early dinner. They would bed down there. The landscape had shaped from the hills and cliffs into definitive mountains.
“A few rules and warnings,” Shadow said as the sun disappeared and they sat around their small fire. “First, we will stop and pay homage to a special individual's grave. I will tell you his story then. Second, the entire place is sacred. For many reasons. All around is littered the bodies of brave soldiers on both sides who were fighting for their families and homes. We do not disturb them unless absolutely necessary. It is their grave, and they are due that respect.
“The other is a warning. Inside is where I was forced to kill a battalion of Zebra Ghouls. We may have to move some of them, but they didn’t die in the original fight. They died recently enough, when we breached the fortress. They were caught in the blast of an accidental loss of a balefire spell. It flooded the fortress, sealed it up and turned them to mindless ghouls. Just expect to see dead Zebras, not just bones.”
“Understood,” Simi nodded.
“Also, we are only going to two places. The main place is the stockroom where the weapons and equipment are stored, the other is special. You will see why when we get there. That location is also sacred.”
The stars were out, so Simi was asleep. He was learning to be a guard when they were home, but he was still nervous under their watchful eye. Shadow enjoyed them as he relaxed for a bit. It was a tough fight all day and he would be doing it again the next day. Sleep wasn’t always the best ‘rest’ the body could receive. Shadow didn’t last long until he was in a perpetual yawn and crawled into the tent.
The next day was easier in some regards. Shadow was getting the hang of pulling a giant brick through the air. He stopped because he wanted to, not because he needed to. The stops were tactical, not forced.
Shadow saw the chopped off mountain for a while before they got to it. They flew over the dragon bodies and destroyed cloudships in the valley below and then landed on the plateau. Simi hopped off and then followed Shadow as he pulled the cart to the lone, exposed mountain gun.
“What is before my eyes?” Simi asked. “It looks like a gun of great size.”
“It is,” Shadow explained. “It fires large, explosive shells. They have guns bigger than this, but in the mountains it is hard to maneuver those. This cannon is known as a mountain gun. Its shorter size allows you to maneuver it easier, while still packing a big punch. We do not need one of these in Shanyisa.”
“Yet,” Simi added.
“What matters isn’t the gun. We put it over the grave. Below is one of the greatest Zebra. The only survivor of the ghoulification process, mostly. His mind stayed intact. I fought him in hoof to hoof combat.
“I wish we had more time to talk. But that conversation was on a time limit. He was the Zebra General in charge of this entire fortress. He taught me the history of the place and the battle, then we had ours. From him my sword was passed down, and so was the revolver and my cloak.”
Here lies Mwokozi,
general of the Zebra Army.
He fought gallantly to the end and
served his empire to the highest standard.
To Equestria he is the infamous Two Toned.
“This means nothing to me,” Simi stated. “The war was long over before I came to be. It is a scar on the land, but I can’t see how it was once grand.”
“You haven’t been to the cities,” Shadow replied. “From Xys, I understand they are pits of evil and savagery where colts are sacrificed and every zebra fights in battle tournaments. Slavery is normal and so is all types of evil.”
“Why don’t you drag Kifo Herixleta from the rock and cleans them then?”
“Maybe after Equestria is united,” Shadow sighed. “But for now I need rest and family, not war and death. If anything, that may be your charge. I will make you the greatest they have seen in a long time. And you won’t be bound by the warlords evil ways. You will be free and uncaring for their disgusting chains. Besides, Shanyisa is supposed to be a light to show them there is a better way.”
“Then I will learn. And the title of Wokovu I will earn.”
“Come on, the best place is to camp inside.”
Shadow brought the cart as close as he could. Simi was on hoof, and picking his way though the graveyard. He would stop to examine the different weapons here or there, or the armor.
As he got to the trenches and bunkers he was disturbed. “Inside we go? After their great woe? Ghosts and spirits abound, and if disrupted us they will hound.”
“We slept in there two nights when I was here last,” Shadow stated. “It’s safe. A bit creepy in parts, but safe. The second night was better. We didn’t have to face more ghouls in the morning.”
“Uh,” Simi droned.
“Alright, we can stay up on top there. It is safe. But in the morning, we will have to go in. You will have to get a grip. I had seen quite a few horrors before we came here. And I was facing it with 4 good friends.”
“Thanks,” Simi smiled.
They set up on top of the highest point on Kifopiga.
“This name means shield of death, or death shield. Something like that,” Simi said without rhyming. “Its the old, formal tongue, and a mash up of two words.”
Simi was interested in not rhyming. A direct influence from Shadow. He looked up to Shadow since he saw him destroy Kwaad from where he was ‘hiding.’ He had never seen anyone so powerful and willing to put his life on the line for the defense of others. It was the exact type of person he was looking for in his life.
Simi was one of the young ones in Shanyisa that didn’t have a family. Xys was given a few foals as they left on their crusade to break from the city ways. He was raised by the village. He was too young to remember much, if anything, of his parents or life before the village.
If Xys had survived to be as old as she was, her skill in fighting had to be great. Enough to break them free. But she had put that aside to lead them to peace. It was a strict vow Xys had made with the land itself. Shadow had learned all of that from Mponyaji. It was a secret that wasn’t spoken of. Xys would certainly not speak of it.
“It was a death trap,” Shadow stated as he looked out over the battlefield. “It was an epic battle, worthy of the history books. Equestria came out the victors, but only marginally. The spells were launched while the battle happened. They had nothing to do with the battle.”
“Will you tell me the tale? It looks like it is of a great scale.”
Shadow nodded and began to tell him the tale of Kifopiga. This time he didn’t tell it like he was Rainbow Dash. There was no reason too. But he told it from both sides. Simi was hooked.
They should have been in bed hours before they were. They had a lot of work ahead, but Shadow was teaching and instructing Simi in not just history, but tactics and the mentality of a warrior. The kind of warrior who would make such a charge against the great odds for their families and home.
Simi was noticeably braver as they headed into Kifopiga. Most of the lights were still on inside the fort. The Inquisitors hadn't needed them with their power armor. The map data had been transferred to the PipBuck. It was invaluable to getting to there storeroom quickly.
Shadow opened a crate and found five Type 38 rifles. All were in perfect condition. Simi pulled them off towards the door. Beneath that crate was another crate of rifles and beneath that, another. All three were marked to go with them and Simi began to move them out to the cart. Shadow would help once he had everything chosen.
Crates of filled magazines were pulled and the more valuable crates of loose rounds were chosen. Cleaning supplies were grabbed as well.
There was some unexpected pieces Shadow found. He stumbled upon a crate with 4 Type 99 light machine guns. One was obviously missing. It had to be the one Slice and Thunder took back to Rosemary.
There was a lot Shadow wanted to bring back, but the cart could only hold so much and be flow. Shadow made sure to grab bayonets and the crate of loose 44 Zebra rounds. He also found combat armor and uniforms. He grabbed them so that those on duty could have protection. Another special box or two and Shadow was helping Simi move the crates to the cart. Simi just had to get the larger crates onto Shadow’s back for him.
“Now, for one, no two special places.”
“You said one last night. What has changed your… mind.”
“Just follow me,” Shadow said. “This is the most sacred place of all.”
“These are glyphs,” Simi said as they walked down the long hallway. “Powerful, old glyphs.”
“Yeah,” Shadow shivered. “I experienced that myself. Any ones that were active are no longer. We crawled past all off them and set some off, but time has decayed the walls enough.”
They entered the sorcerer’s chambers. The ghouls were all bones now, but everything else was just as preserved as Shadow had last seen it at.
“We need books for Ukuzwa while we are here,” Shadow explained. “Things that will help her.”
Simi began to read the titles to find things of importance. He soon have five chosen. Shadow was just sitting, staring at the head sorcerer who’s head he had to physically crush.
“ I killed him,” Shadow explained. “With my bare hooves because of some ward that stopped weapons. He was a ghoul like the others. Strong when it attacked. I believe he was the head of this group when it came to the spells.”
“We are taking these books, should we take some of him for Ukuzwa? Surely she could use some of the… finery? Its got to have power and meaning.”
“Yeah,” Shadow sighed. “I guess it’s no different than Mwokozi, except I got to speak to him. Ukuzwa is powerful, but things to channel her power wouldn’t be bad.”
Shadow carefully removed the neck rings from the head enchanter. The square earrings were beside the crushed skull and easy to pick up. He pulled off the necklace with the small animal skull. The clothes were ruined from the decay of the ghoul body, but the jeweled arm band was still good. Simi came back from their sleeping quarters with two similar robes. Shadow added it to the saddlebags and they headed out.
“We will get Ukuzwa here as soon as we can,” Shadow stated. “But now, the last place. It occurred to me while I was sorting out what we needed to take. There is something I want.”
Shadow led them to Mwokozi’s room. “We can’t take everything, but this was Mwokozi’s room. I already took a tapestry, but I didn’t have a home to furnish.”
“Good idea,” Simi added. “Taking some of this is wise. This won’t stop us in the skies.”
They rolled up the rug, took the sheets and their spare set in the closet. Several tapestries were pulled down and packed up. Shadow found a second Dress Uniform in Mwokozi’s closet. He took it and his battle uniform. It looked similar to the dress uniform, just less pizzas and reinforced with some disguised armor plating. Shadow wanted the desk and chair, but that wasn’t going to fit on the cart. And it was excessive at the moment.
It was too late to start back, so Shadow showed Simi where he fought Mwokozi. It didn’t seem real stepping back into the room. The final place where Shadow had won was stained into the concrete.
It took two days to fly there, and 10 to fly back. Shadow was forced to do short hops. The cart was barely flyable with any weight on it. They were going to have to come up with a better plan.
The Inquisitors didn’t need to really disturb Kifopiga. But Kifopiga was the answer for Shanyisa’s survival. They had a right to it that the Inquisitors didn’t have. Shadow just wanted it to be done reverently.
When they finally arrived they landed in the center of town. They were swarmed by the villagers. Xys greeted them with a smile. Simi was immediately out of the cart and started preparing things to be unpacked.
“I have a few things to sort,” Shadow said with a grin as he stepped out of the harness. “We know what is going to the other village, we know what is staying here, and I picked up some treasures from the room of Mwokozi for my hut, and I got some gifts. Most Simi is unaware of. It was easy to hide them in the crates.”
“I trust you, despite you being new. You have a wise head, you have not us misled.”
“First is something I planned from the start,” Shadow said walking over to Ukuzwa. “Simi helped me make the right choices.”
Shadow passed her the first book. She was speechless. The villagers all crowded around to see. Shadow didn’t give her a break and gave her the rest, one by one.
“I… these are exactly what I need, now I have plenty about magic to read.”
“We have a bit more,” Simi said with a grin. “Mtoaji reverently took them from a corpse. A powerful enchanter he had to kill, but these peaces with magic deep instill. A master you will be, for that is what we all wish to see.”
Shadow pulled out the neck rings. “I don’t know if these have any power in them. I also don’t know how to get them on. They easily slipped through the bones.”
“Too difficult that will be for now,” Xys said. “I do know how. It will be a trial of great strife, but one that was once a normal way of life. They are coils that must be unwound, then we can wrap them once again till the neck they surround.”
Ukuzwa wasn’t deterred. “I will take the challenge, for it is a proper adage.”
“These are easy,” Shadow said pulling out the earring. “They are heavy.”
“I will need time, for my ears are not at their prime. But these are fine, and soon on my face they will shine.”
“This is somehow special,” Shadow said pulling out the necklace.
They villagers all took a step back. Shadow looked at an undeterred Xys and Ukuzwa for an answer.
“Skulls are a dark sign,” Xys explained. “Worn by those who made the dark arts thine.”
“That makes sense,” Shadow shrugged. “We were right outside their spell chamber. And it was a balefire spell that spilled. I understand it has got necromantic properties.”
“Dark it is,” Ukuzwaaffirmed. “The war made it big biz. Maybe in time this necklace will be fine, but at this time it is not for my spine.”
“I know little about magic, even less about Zebra magic. Maybe this band will be good. It was worn on the upper foreleg.”
Ukuzwa took it from Shadow reverently. “Mtoaji this is very special, it is a deep magic vessel.” She slipped it on.
“Last thing is these two robes, from their personal stocks. Several of them wore this style.”
“These condition is good. I will wear them as they would.”
“Alright,” Shadow said focusing on the cart. “Let’s get this unloaded. We can put the ones we are keeping in storage, otherwise we will put them over there. And the special things there.”
Shadow got the things from Mwokozi set off to the side. There also were two other crates he had put with them and then a third he wanted to show them.
“This is a Type 99 light machine gun. I will be taking one to barter with the other village. An extra incentive. The other three will be ours. We have magazines for them and they use the same ammo as the rifles. But they burn through it quickly. We must be very careful with them.”
“This crate are Type 2 combat armor, and this one is the Type 95 uniforms they wore under them. I figure we can use them to help the guards. Armor is important.”
“Yes, it is. And appreciated,” Xys said straightforwardly.
Shadow opened one of the crates they put with his stuff. “Now, Simi, I had some things stored away for you. This is a junior officer’s uniform. I figure it will be a good thing for Shanyisa’s guardian to wear. Alongside it I have this modified Type 38 rifle. The scope can be magnified and it fires in either semiautomatic or full auto, rather than the three round burst. This pistol is also for you.”
“Thank you,” Simi said with a low bow. “I swear it on my life to follow your teachings to protect this village. I swear to this land, to take the curse of the stars if I fail to do my best to protect this village, no matter how it fares or what we face.”
“I guess we should get this loaded up so I can take these over to the other village,” Shadow said.
“We have a better alternative,” Xys smiled coyly. “Of which I know your excitement will be the affirmative.”
Shadow followed Xys and Ukuzwa outside the wall. Not much had been done since they lacked the cart. Shadow guessed they focused on making the bricks they would need, rather than risk building ahead of production which they had done a few times.
Shadow was led to a wooden chariot. It was very similar to what he had seen in the Enclave. How they had made it so close, he wasn’t sure. It was mostly lashed together branches, with a railing that was covered in woven reeds.
Xys explained things. “We worked hard to design something that would fly, I am sure from what you know it is a far cry.”
“No Xys, it is not,” Shadow smiled. “You used good aerodynamics and logic.”
“I did what I could with the other cart,” Ukuzwa stated. “But only so far could go my heart. This I was one of the makers, the spells flowed from me as we wove the wood Zericers. And we found this gem. It was in a branch’s stem. I imbued it with all I was. The result should bring great applause.”
“This,” Shadow stuttered. “This is wonderful. And it is long enough to carry plenty of supplies. Ukuzwa, you will be coming with us on that next trip. There was shelves and shelves of books, potions and raw supplies.”
Ukuzwa’s eyes went wide with desire.
“But we will need a few days first, to take care of things here. You have those books for now. They should do nicely. But I would prefer to see you get the entire library.”
Xys nodded silently with great pleasure. She was impressed and thankful for all Shadow was doing. He was helping her see her vision through.
“Come,” Xys said. “I wish to see what you have brought for you. I am sure it is of a powerful brew.”
The others had already moved Shadow’s things up to his hut. As they hung up the tapestries Xys explained their meanings. They were all about safety, long life, and good health. Nothing sinister and nothing of great power. They found the carpet fun and wanted Shadow to get the desk.
The sheets were going to be washed before he could use them and they were going to take in the uniforms so that they fit Shadow. Xys found it appropriate for Shadow to take what was once Mwokozi. She knew the full story and they both had heard Mwokozi’s full prophecy from Ukuzwa. Shadow was the next in line. It was not rare that the previous one got to pass on his knowledge and special things to his heir, but it was odd that it happened through bloodshed and in such an isolated place.
Before Shadow settled into bed he looked over the last few things. The first thing he hid from the others was a crate filled with stealth cloaks. Xys and Ukuzwa would learn about it soon, but the rest didn’t need to know about them yet. They were powerful pieces that needed to be played carefully.
The other was a standard zebra sword and belt for Simi. He would learn it soon enough. For now Shadow wanted him to learn to use the gun and his hooves. He would present it later, along with the necklace Mwokozi had worn. The one Kifo Herixleta warned Shadow to never wear. Both would make a fitting gift for when Shadow declared Simi a warrior.
Shadow flew the chariot to the new village. As the Pegasus flies, it was a few hours rather than a day or more. And they didn’t have to worry about flooding if they had rain.
Shadow set the chariot down in the middle of the village. Simi jumped out as Shadow unhooked himself. Simi was wearing his new uniform.
“Rifles,” Shadow announced. “In mint conditions, still in their original crates.”
Simi pulled the crates off and Shadow opened.
“Five in this one. Five in this one. Two in this one, plus all these loaded magazines. 72 magazines, 6 a rifle. And one crate of unloaded ammunition, 1200 rounds.”
“My eyes I do not believe! Of this outcome I could not conceive!”
“We need that communication equipment,” Shadow shrugged. “And we want a alliance. Together we are stronger than we are alone.”
“We are small, little bigger than a Kraal. But I am Rangi. And we call this place Maji.”
Shadow tried to match their speech patterns. “Shanyisa is honored to become friends with Maji. And for that I have a present for free. I present you with this Type 99 machine gun.”
Shadow pulled it off the chariot where Rangi hadn’t seen it.
“This will make our enemies run. 6 magazines I have for you, and the same as the rifle this gun chews. Together we are stronger. Together we will live longer.”
Rangi bowed low in gratitude. “Yes, together we are stronger and together we will live longer.”
“I am a great warrior and I am teaching Shanyisa to create a strong barrier. I say, send two to learn, then we can really make any warlord’s stomach churn.”
“I will go!” A young stallion said stepping forward. “Can you fly with me in tow?”
“I can,” Shadow smiled. “Come, learn from me how to protect your family, your friends, your village. What is your name?”
“Izala I am known, after the spear that one can throw.”
“Choose your rifle and come!”
“Nkosi I am called. And I choose also to be led. Rangi we need this knowledge, the strain on Maji I acknowledge. With your grace I go, so this village may truly grow.”
“Go,” Rangi said. “But we had a deal. I will not let this turn to a misdeal. The relay is yours, however most is stuck indoors.”
“We will figure it out,” Shadow said with a bow. “I know you are of great clout. Even if it can not be moved, it will be improved. We need the information it can hear, perhaps Shanyisa will have to be the second tier.”
“Mtoaji, others arrive,” Simi said. “They come up from the river. But I see nothing to make us quiver.”
The villagers scattered and Shadow hid behind the cart. Simi was sent wide to create a flank. Shadow drew his pistol.
The three Zebras came into the village.
“Don’t move!” Shadow ordered as he popped up with gun drawn.
“We come in peace! With a goal of mutual increase.”
“From where?” Shadow asked.
“Further to the west is our abode. Where we are there is no road.”
“That seems common,” Shadow said, lowering his pistol. “But I am not from here either.”
“You are certainly not! Here a Pegasus is never caught.”
“I hail from Shanyisa. Here to trade and establish relations with Maji.”
“Shanyisa, what is that? Are you from where it is flat?”
“No,” Shadow said as Rangi came back out of hiding. “We are in the east. Along the cliffs. Simi and I are here for a trade.”
“Then we may visit soon. Rahisi is my tune.”
“Mtoaji is mine, meeting you is divine. But we must be gone home. Look for us where there is no loam.”
Shadow hooked himself up. Simi helped Nkosi and Izala grab a rifle and then get onto the chariot. He gave a few words of advice and then Shadow took off as gently as possible.
“Now this is a village,” Izala said as they landed. “There is no way for this to be pillaged.”
“Xys,” Shadow said as she approached. “This is Izala and Nkosi. They are here to train. To learn to use their guns in the defense of Maji. They relay is ours, but it is big. We can’t move it.”
“Erevu will be put to use. Something she will deduce.”
“I have one idea already,” Shadow said. “But I am not the best with the technology. It can wait for a bit. I am asking permission to take the next two weeks and just train these two and Simi.”
“Of course!” Xys proclaimed. “Your energy is best spent on the enforce.”
Shadow smiled back at Xys. He knew he could do it, but he preferred to ask permission. That way nothing happened without Xys knowing and there was no miscommunication.
Simi was sent to set Izala and Nkosi in one of the spare huts they had made. Shadow was taken to Erevu. He hadn’t met her in name yet. She was the one in charge of making the bricks. She hadn’t been to any of his guard trainings.
Her daughter had, Bukhali. She was quite skilled with the rifle. And her mother was passing on everything she could to her. Having a technician who could fight was a good prize.
They discussed options for listening in to DJ Pon3. Shadow would have to find equipment in Kifopiga that could communicate with the tower, but it wasn’t that difficult of a task. There had to be several communication equipment set ups in their warehouse for deployment.
“I guess I will be taking 3 with me to my next trip,” Shadow said. “We will go after I train Izala and Nkosi.”
“Bukhali,” Xys said. “I want you to train too. Making bricks requires a light crew. Train so you can take what your mother has given you, and distribute it to those who prove to be true.”
“Sun up we start,” Shadow told Bukhali. “And come with me to the storeroom. I will get you a fresh rifle.”
She grabbed her rifle from where it was being kept nearby and followed him. There was no point in using an old beat up one when he had ones in perfect condition. He needed the crew Xys was putting together to be using the best.
Shadow picked up one of the Type 99s. It was heavy. It was a light machine gun that was designed to be moved pretty easily. And it put down plenty of firepower in a split second.
Shadow jumped as Ukuzwa spoke up. “Made your decision yet? I know you need a full gun against the threat. Your others are low on ammo, and here there is no easy flow.”
“Yeah,” Shadow sighed. “It will take some tinkering though. I am not trained for free hoofing it.”
“You use the pistol well. Second nature would not be hard to sell.”
“Pistols are different,” Shadow said. “I’m sure I could learn. But what I really want, it isn’t here. Its locked far away, in Equestria, safe. The suit I came down in. But it was marked for above, and we couldn’t use them anymore, because it was known and being hunted.
“The only good rifle I have had since then is the shotgun on my battle saddle. But that will run out of ammo soon too. I had a lot of good things. And my battle saddle now, it was set up by my friend. It is special.”
“Special is just in your head. It is the memory of what he did instead.”
“The shotgun is special, rare,” Shadow added. “But I only have 60 rounds for it.”
“You have made a few transitions, with various munitions. Each change purpose was great, a change made by fate. You live in a new part of your life, change is normal so don’t make it a strife. Besides that will all change when the Light Bringer comes, I do not know what changes come with those drums. So take what you need to be Mtoaji to us, I know Xys would say the same if this came to a discuss.”
Shadow picked up the Type 99 and smirked. “Hello power. I missed you when I ran that stupid 5.56 round.”
He took it with him to his hut. When Slice had engineered his currently battle saddle, both of the guns were bolted together and then onto a mount. Shadow pulled them off and began to plan how to mount it onto the saddle. The bump bar was easy to lock into a single position.
Shadow removed the stock to lighten the gun and pulled off the bipod. Neither were useful on a battle saddle. They were a liability to get caught.
The action of the Type 99 was already a nice squared off rectangle. He would just need a way to attach it. The Type 38 rifle would be a pain to try and mount because of the action’s design. This was perfect for mounting.
There was no way to easily get a hold of nuts, bolts, and drilling materials. He would have to figure something out. He would approach Xys in the morning, after he got their training underway.
In the morning the regular trainees were there along with the new recruits.
“Alright. A minor change. I am sure most of you have heard about our guests, Izala and Nkosi. They are from Maji and now allies. I will be training them exclusively for the next two weeks, so we can get them home to pass on that knowledge to their village. Simi will be joining me exclusively as will Bukhali.
“Now, I hope you haven’t been slacking while I was gone. We are going for a short run!”
Short was a bit of an exaggeration. It was about a two mile path that Shadow had timed out and then marked. He ran alongside them, helping the normal stragglers. The young ones shaped up quickly, the older ones who hadn’t ever done this needed more care. Soft care, not yelling and screaming.
After the run they talked about tactics and proper search patterns. They were let go to get back to their work in the village, whatever that was. Not everyone was building the wall. Others had to farm and keep them fed. Losing Simi and Shadow was going to drastically slow the wall down. But Shadow had been waiting to get Simi with him all day.
“Alright you four. You got to see the soft soldier. I’m not making them soldiers, not guards. They are not going to be going with me to war. Izala and Nkosi, you have only a little time here, so we have to maximize it.
“Simi knows my background. I was an elite Pegasus soldier in the fractured Equestria, where the Pegasi reside in the clouds and don’t associate with those below. I was sent below to scope things out as a reconnaissance soldier. I got the best training, by the best, and was given the best equipment.
“I stayed below because of a communication problem and a betrayal. We tried to get a message about, but it failed. We got picked off one by one, and then I got myself into trouble and was driven out of Equestria. Going above when we were not recalled wasn’t a wise choice. There was a strong chance they were going to shoot us. I was going to take that risk right before I was driven out and almost killed.
“That’s how I ended up here. Somehow. Those details are lost to my head. I was found almost dead. That’s all I know.
“I learned from the best, and that included how to teach. I paid attention to how they taught me so I could learn to be better. Now I get to put it to practice once again with you four.
“We are going to crawl through the dirt, get muddy, learn to shoot straight at long distances and be the best. And I will yell. I will be brutal as I forge you into what you need to be. In two weeks I will mold you into a fighting group that is one together and could take out one of these so called warlords.”
Shadow left out if they didn’t it was his failure. They didn’t need to know that. Not yet.
“I said dirt so drop!”
Simi was down immediately. Shadow had worked on him with it. Once the others were down, Shadow began to show them how to crawl around properly, with their rifles cradled. Safe by ready to be used.
Then he took them to the range he had set up. They skipped 50 yards and were immediately at 100. Shadow laid down and demonstrated how to work the rifle at 100 yards. He nailed the target decently. It wasn’t his best work, but it was the center of the target. Until he got a battle saddle again, he had to learn this new technique.
They worked to replicate it. Simi was almost zeroed in with the rifle. And using the new one he was drilling single shots almost as good as Shadow was doing with the three round burst.
“Come on! You don’t get this much time to take a shot when they are shoot at you!”
They went down to talk at their targets. Shadow picked them apart. But every time he picked, he also explained how to improve. Everything was designed to whittle them to a sharp point, not hack them down.
Shadow worked them well on fitness. That was something all guards needed, fitness. The only thing he couldn’t use from basic training was the wing segments.
He had them on lunch break. He needed to talk to Xys about his battle saddle.
“You are loud,” Xys smiled. “And proud. For good reason too, I know you are shaping them in a good crew.”
“I am,” Shadow smiled. “And I am having fun. It has been survival for too long. Now I get to change that. Now I get to pass on my wisdom.”
“Shanyisa’s safety comes first, but the warlords have us accursed. We will have to face them, and it will be mayhem. We must come out on top. So I want you to have the best so we do not flop.”
“I need a battle saddle,” Shadow stated. “I grabbed a Type 99 and was looking at it. I don’t know how to mount it. I don’t have nuts and bolts here. Or scrap metal. Or any tools I am used to. And worse, I want it mounted so that it can be removed and swapped out with my other set up. For Equestria.”
“I already have Erevu on it. For I need you that target to hit. And I need you at your true peak. We will get it done this week.”
“Thank you,” Shadow said with a short bow.
The rest of the day was more of the same. They hit the range again with the rest of the guards. Shadow let them go when he let the others go.
The next morning was tough as Shadow pushed all the guards on basic body weight workouts. They all hated those segments. It left Shadow smiling. Smiling like some of his instructors used to do.
Before he could get started with his little squad, he was pulled away. They needed to make final adjustments for his battle uniform. Xys wanted him looking the part at all times.
Shadow went back to work with the group. It was a tough job. And he was pushing himself as well as them while they did the physical stuff. He began to teach them hoof to hoof combat as well. He wished they could spend hours on the range, but he also had incredibly short range time because of ammunition constriction.
There was no laser pointers for him to use either. Instead of digging entrenchments, he put them to work on the wall in pairs. It was good work to be doing.
Shadow was looking over the city. It had been a week with the four of them. Xys climbed up the ladder and sat down with him.
After a while she spoke up. “I know I have spoke about needed you at your best, because we have a truly great pest. I know I can trust you to do what needs to be done, and still be to this village one. These past years have been tough, not having a strong voice has been tough. I gave it up to build this, but it is something I do not miss.
“I come from a city far away. A fight ring was their idea of play. As is much of our land. This is not the way to truly stand. It was nasty so I moved on. I don’t think anyone even knows I am gone. All around it was the same. It made me truly ashamed.
“I was enslaved at one time. Which was just fine. I had no strong will then. It had been pulled from me when I lost my zen. But it came back. And with it, I went on the attack. I killed many. In a single day it numbered twenty. As I stood tall, warlord was all I saw. I did not want that, so I destroyed that vat.
“I took who I could and ran. We were given fillies and colts as we began. Many died or suffered to be the wall for our escape. But it didn’t stop their rape. Alone I stood against their horde, and I struck down their warlord. After I decimated those with him. It was an ending that was grim.
“But we were free. I knew the cliffs would be safe place to flee. So here we built Shanyisa to shine. But it was lacking a drive which is thine.”
“What does Shanyisa mean?” Shadow asked.
“It literally means shine. I hoped the old name would be a good sign.”
“Fate sent me here,” Shadow said. “To not just keep me safe. Or rediscover something. No, it needs me here. We share the same vision.”
“I wanted a wall, but how could I make that call? I gave up the fight. It is a deep plight. I…”
“I get it,” Shadow said. “Innocent ponies died at my hooves because they knew my secret identity. They couldn’t know I was under that mask, so they paid the price. And others, other dies be association. I was tearing down the evil empires. Being there meant death.”
“Fire burns, and it chooses its own turns.”
They sat in silence for a little bit.
“Mtoaji, at some point we will have to face several true warlords. Many are under their hoof, enough to be called hoards. We can not wait for them to come. They must be stopped before they sound the war drum.”
“I will build a team,” Shadow assured her. “I will build alliances and build a strike force. We will take them out. I already have a key element.”
Shadow smiled at her tired face and went into his hut. He came out and sat down next to her. “I found a crate of these. 20 of them.”
“This will give your team the edge it needs. You will be able to undo all their deeds. Strike before they know and free the others from their throe.
Shadow chuckled. “I’ve gotten good at using mine.”
Shadow sighed. “I want Izala with me. He is good. Young enough to train to be tactfully reckless. Like me. Skilled and able to do things others couldn’t. Between Simi, Izala, and Bukhali we have a great start.”
“Ukuzwa will join you. Add her to your few. She wants to learn magic for attack. I will not hold her back. A magician in a small team… well that is the dream.”
“That will be helpful. Support and attack. Wards and spells that are working with and for me would be nice.”
“Do not speak of this to the others please. Secrecy is the key. Defense is necessary, these plans would be found scary.”
“I will not. I will find a way to hook Izala.”
Shadow pulled the sky chariot towards Maji. He couldn’t cruise with it, but he had learned how to work less as he flew. He learned how to better set it down.
Izala and Nkosi were in the back, along with Simi, Bukhali, and Erevu. The two of them were there to check out the communications relay. Simi was always with Shadow now.
Nkosi was off the chariot immediately. He hated it. Izala wasn’t as afraid.
“Welcome back you two,” Rangi greet them. “And all of you. I see you added new friends. Our hospitality we extend.”
“Thank you,” Shadow smiled. “Erevu and her daughter, Bukhali are here to check out the communications relay. To see what we need to do to fix it. It is easier to ferry them all at the same time.”
“I can imagine. It is a very interesting wagon. And you two are very welcome. Nkosi will show you were the door says telecomm.”
“Rangi,” Izala said. “I need to speak with you in private. I need an answer as I am divided.”
“Go,” Shadow smiled at him.
There were not gone long. Both of them came up to Shadow.
“I asked to stay with you,” Izala said. “Eventually all our enemies will rue. You will work among all the villages as our sword. If you will have me, I will help make them yield.”
Shadow let the corner of his mouth slip up into sly grin. “Of course I will Izala. A team effort has been on my mind for the past week. With the sky chariot, I can do it. But you do know its going to mean tougher training.”
“Only until I get better than it. Then I will test your grit.”
Shadow chuckled deeply. “Oh, I look forward to that. You will have a tougher time making me test my grit.”
Erevu and Bukhali joined them. Erevu was smiling.
“It is all set up and receiving. No huffing and heaving. The antenna can come later, once I have the right applicator. It won’t be difficult to set up what we need at home. The system will stop the need to roam. We can communicate on it, back and forth with a few more bits.”
“That is a great advantage,” Rangi nodded. “Assuming it can be managed. I trust it can. I see greatness in your clan.”
“Lets roll then,” Shadow said. “We need to get back so we can prepare for the next step.”
Shadow flew them back to Shanyisa. Xys was waiting to talk with Shadow. He met her in her hut.
“Mtoaji I have a boon. Take Erevu on your next commune. Your battle saddle is not finished as ensured. We are lacking things despite how hard we labored.”
“We don’t have metal,” Shadow said. “Its okay. And I can take her along as well.”
“Here are you instructions. I have devised them after much deduction. Ammo is a must before it becomes rust. The books must come, along with what Ukuzwa finds as income. Your desk is also chosen, for it is definitely ambrosian. Erevu will find plenty of scrap, for without it we barely have burlap.”
“Understood. We leave in the morning if your stamp given you should.”
“Not bad Mtoaji, learning quick are thee. You have my approval. This is crucial.”
Shadow headed out to get some stuff done before he got to an early bed. He still hadn’t made a single meal since arriving. There was always something he had to be doing. But the village functioned differently in that regard. But then, back home they had different jobs that it all flowed together smoothly.
The flight out to Kifopiga was much easier with a proper chariot. Shadow explained to the others the sacred side of Kifopiga. He also explained the dangers of splitting up in the labyrinth. He had a plan. And they would not be spending the night outside of it. This was a quick run and it was still early.
First it was to the desk. That was a nonnegotiable item to retrieve, ordered by Xys. As sturdy as it was, it broke down easily. It was meant for transport. The top separated from the flanking drawers.
After it was to the warehouse. Shadow quickly got ammo moving to the cart. Some in magazines, most loose in crates. He picked out a crate of rifles to go as well. Erevu came back with boxes of the communication equipment they needed. To top it all off, Shadow grabbed several boxes of field rations. The Zebra equivalent that was probably still good to eat, despite how scary of a thought that was.
The light was artificial, so they didn’t pay attention to the clock until they were out at the cart. They worked late and then Shadow led them to the spell antechamber where they bedded down. Getting Ukuzwa to settle down took a bit.
After breakfast Erevu had a proposal. “Mtoaji, a suggestion I have, which out time should halve. Take me to a place I can scavenge, splitting will be an advantage. Simi and Ukuzwa can handle their own, together they will not be alone. If I stay in the area, it will not cause hysteria.”
“Okay,” Shadow agreed with a nod. “I have an idea for where you should be able to get what you need. You two, don’t leave this chamber. And absolutely don’t unlock those doors. Inside is the spell chamber, it will fry you and melt your skin from your bones. And before you ask, it literally has nothing in it. I already checked the first time I was here. It is a stone silo with a cauldron knocked over. Nothing.”
“A real spell cauldron,” Ukuzwa said to herself. “I can only dream of the possible concoctions.”
“Great,” Shadow groaned. “Look, it might have power, but as far as I know, it is basically radiation. Cleaning it up isn’t an option. Will that one do?”
Ukuzwa nodded. “Much was done in it, it will not acquit. It is old, power it beholds. The more done, the stronger spells end on.”
“Behave,” Shadow told them as he took Erevu to the best place he could think of.
“Here is where we had a great battle. It is a communal center, holding war rooms, a kitchen, and more. These Zebra’s deserve rest. Be as reverent as you can please. They were dead long before we killed their physical bodies, but this place still is their grave.”
“I will take only what we need,” Erevu affirmed. “You words I will greatly heed.”
“I will be back soon, I have to look at something. To satisfy my mind. A long shot, but something I must check out.”
“Go,” Erevu said as she began to look at an old rifle on a pile of bones.
Shadow headed out, back to the top. The mountain guns would not provide them much protection, but it might be useful in a direct assault against the Warlords. Or if their hoards came at them. The small time gangs were of no use, but real firepower might be worth it.”
The mountain guns broke down into five parts. 2 large wheel, the action and barrel, the axle and frame, and the stabilizer that was connected to the frame and was the tail. Theoretically they could move two at a time. It probably wasn’t worth. It would depend on how the city developed. But it was an option.
Shadow got back to Erevu. She had heeded his words, but differently than he had planned. The bodies were neatly lined up off to the side, as best as she could keep them the bones in the cloth. The extra bones were piled up, and another was created for their guns. She was stuffing things into a trunk she had found. Another was already closed.
“Ah! Mtoaji!” Erevu called. “I did my best, but I believe I failed in my quest. It was difficult so I focused my efforts on what we need. Your forgiveness I plead.”
“What did you recover?” Shadow asked, focusing on the task at hoof.
“Multiple rifles, weapons, scraps, and such as in this trunk. And then I went on for a debunk. Their metal shell armor, repairs were easy I garnered. Two I recovered, but there is more to discover.”
Shadow sighed. “You did the best you could,” Shadow said. “My ideals may not be the best. Survival is our biggest concern.”
“I did the best I could. Some of these might have been my family in all likelihood.”
“I believe you,” Shadow smiled.
They got the the trunks back to the chariot and reorganized things as best as they could. It all had to be balanced so Shadow could fly it out. If it wasn’t, it would drag them into the ground, or flip the chariot. At best it would just add extra drag and work.
“MTOAJI!” Ukuzwa exclaimed as they got back to them. “I found magic that you will impress! One which you will probably find distress. With you I can make us wings! Together we can all fly with those things!”
Shadow automatically shifted his wings closer to his body. “I assume you will need my feathers.”
“We won’t need them all. Don’t you loose some during life’s drawl?”
“A feather falling our is different than being pulled out. Pulling them out hurts and it can affect flying ability. When they come out naturally my body is ready.”
“I don’t want to cause a brawl, or leave you in a maul.”
“We will see,” Shadow said.
If his little team could fly, it would be a big advantage. If they could walk on clouds, even more. He didn’t know magic, but it probably required fresh feathers. A few feathers might ground him for a bit, but it could be worth it.
“Is this a one time use?”
“It is for a talisman. Wear when you need wings as the plan.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“This trunk is packed,” Simi said. “Clothing is protecting potions, artifacts, and raw herbs and such. That one is almost packed with books.”
“Good,” Shadow said, looking around. “Anything to shield against radiation?”
Simi nodded to the four potions on the table. Shadow walked over to the blast doors. Beside them was a metal emergency box. It had diagnostic equipment inside. Everything happened so fast that the Zebras never had a chance to use it.
Ukuzwa looked up from the last book she put in the trunk. “Finished they were not. But in battle they were caught. When they lost control, it transformed the area as a whole. But outside of here the radiation didn’t last, for it was not a full blast. It effected things differently throughout, understanding why is impossible I do not doubt.”
Ukuzwa closed the trunk. “I am finished,” She declared without a rhyme.
“Ukuzwa, I have decided to risk it, but I have one last question. Some things are dark arts, and you won’t touch them. That cauldron held one of the darkest things in it, necromancy in a bomb. Is it really worth that risk for a dark item?”
“I won’t know until I can touch it. Then I can see what in the metal is writ. But only the best they would place, and light would not have been a disgrace.”
“These will really shield me from radiation?”
Ukuzwa nodded.
“Simi, Erevu, take these trunks out. Ukuzwa and I will evaluate which of these cauldrons we will take back. Ukuzwa, I will open the doors and go in alone. I will roll it out to you to examine. But I will immediately check to see if it is dangerous. It it is, we will push it back into the chamber and seal it up for good.”
They all agreed and got Erevu and Simi on the way, with the PipBuck as a guide. Shadow downed the potion and nearly threw it back up. But he had tasted worse. He looked back at Ukuzwa and the safe cauldron. Then he took a deep breath to dispel the fear and oped the blast doors. They all slid back, one by one receding into the walls.
Shadow pushed open the last one and felt the tingle of radiation. It could tingle all it wanted so long as it wasn’t harming him.
The cauldron was half the size of the one in the room, making it easy to roll out. Ukuzwa had downed her potion and walked over. Shadow took out the diagnostic equipment. The metal tested out harmless, confusing Shadow. None of this magic made sense to him.
Ukuzwa touched the cauldron and immediately jumped back with a yelp, as if it burned her.
“Get rid of it!” She shouted.
Shadow gladly kicked open the door and pushed it back in. He sealed the blast doors once again and shivered. He was free of the radiation and the tingling, but it always felt wrong for a while after.
“That,” Ukuzwa. “One touch and I knew. A deep dark was always it’s brew. Beyond anything I would ever think to do. Nothing about it was true.”
“So the bigger one we go with,” Shadow shrugged. “Let’s roll it out.”
Shadow knew the way out and they rolled the cauldron down the halls. The stairs were the hardest part. Teamwork was key. Shadow braced it, so it never rolled back. Ukuzwa pushed it up to the next step. After the stairs it was easy. With four of them, they easily got it onto the chariot and strapped down. They didn’t talk about the other one.
