` The army and myself were on the edge of Manehattan, in the final preparations to leave and make our way north. I was at the rear of the army talking with Blossomforth, the pegasus my agents had singled out as a potential spy. Nearby and invisible was Silver, listening in at my request, as she had talent in finding out when individuals were lying.

"So, Blossomforth," I said to the pegasus, one of the medics of the army and wearing the usual outfit of long-legged exercise pants and a white, short sleeved shirt with the red cross on the shoulders. Of course, she also had a dagger, standard issue for the medics. She was one of the med corp leaders, and, as such, was present at some of the command staff meetings to give advice based on troop health. In other words, a perfect plant, especially as she was in Ponyville when I was there. "You have any family still under the Caribou rule?"

"Y-yes sir," she replied nervously. Not definitive, that's the usual reaction to speaking one on one with me. "A sister and my mom. Last I heard, they live in the Empire."

"Live? Not being held?" I asked, as every other mare I talked with said something along the latter, while any reds would say living.

"Yes sir, they're red collars." Okay, there's an explanation. Still, time for something a little more. . . definitive to be asked.

"What of your father?" I asked.

A slight hesitation. "He- he died a year ago, sir," she replied solemnly. "A few other stallions in Ponyville tried to snuggle mares out of the town, but were caught and killed. Only reason I'm here is because I just happened to be the Guard captain's favorite." Anger was in the last part of the reply, mixed with some sadness.

"So, you've written no letters?" I asked. "No friends."

"None that aren't reds or with us now, sir," she replied as she straightened. "No reason to, there."

A tap on my back. "Are you sure?" I asked. "Because a source of mine says you've written quite a few. So, are you going to keep lying and risk death, or tell me the truth and live in the cells, which is one of the areas I allow mares to be taken from for Gunne to have fun with." Extremes in both cases. If she's a red and confesses, I'll throw her to Gunne. If she continues to lie to a point before coming clean, she dies after the confession is verified. If she's not a red and simply writing because it helps keep her calm or something like that, none of it.

Under my gaze, along with me crossing my arms with my left arm, the one with the mauler on it, in front, she cracked in five seconds. "I write them out of habit, sir!" she yelled. "I used to all the time when I was a filly to my imaginary friend, and it helps keep me calm and focused." Two taps. "Though, I have noticed something about Princess Celestia, sir."

"What?" I asked.

"She's been nervous as of late, sir, especially at the last meeting we had. Her eyes kept darting around, and, even though it wasslsight, she trembled when you brought up the possibility of a spy," Blossomforth said. "Nopony else, just her. Also, last night, I saw her writing something and then burn it, and i could have sworn I saw the smoke go against the wind."

"What makes you say that?" I asked.

"The wind last night was blowing southwest at about five to seven miles per hour, while the smoke went east at about nine to thirteen." Two taps.

"Anyone else present with her?"

"That's the odd part, sir," Blossomforth said in a tone of care as i saw her eyes look around. "I saw Princess Luna and Nightmare in her tent too, but they stood stock still. I didn't even see their chest move for breathing. Soon as the letter or whatever it was she wrote left, though, they began to move and act as if that never happened." Two taps.

"Thank you for pointing that out, Blossomforth. You may return to your unit."

"Sir," she said before saluting and returning to the army.

"Silver?"

"Yeah?" the doe asked as she revealed herself from behind me.

"Get Fleur, and tell her what has happened here, and follow up. Keep me posted, and don't be detected."

"Don't need to tell me that, Mau'ual," Silver said. "You really think it's her."

"At this point, yes," I replied. "Once you and Fleur gather enough, let me know, and I'll call a command staff meeting."

"You got it." With that, she walked away as I looked south east, where Canterlot lay. "Game on, asshole," I whispered to Dainn, even if he couldn't hear it, though I heard something in the wind.

"May the smartest male win," I heard it say. Magic, I guess, allowed our statements be heard by the other.

I then heard hoofsteps behind me, and a stallion say, "Sir, I have a message from Queen Chrysalis."

"What is it?" I asked.

"She's heard of your efforts to reveal a traitor, and is willing to lend you some of her infiltrators to that end."

I was silent for a few seconds. "Tell her to send three here so I may task them myself."

"Sir!" he yelled before making his way back to the army camp. Lets hope Chrysalis being a part of this doesn't jeopardize my plan. Still, at least we have a lead on the agent, and, hopefully, will be able to bring her to the light of day.

Author's Notes:

Next chapter will have an arrest.