“Name?” asked the exhausted-looking guard standing at the entrance to the dark camp.

“Silent Shadow,” spat the irritated pegasus mare garbed in shadowed armor. “I am her Majesty Luna’s chief intelligence officer.”

“Right, right. And what's the password?” asked the earth pony soldier.

“Password?” scoffed Silent Shadow. “I have been on assignment for four months. I have no idea what the password could be. The last one I was told was quote, tangerine.”

“That's not it,” muttered the stallion.

Silent Shadow seethed, her teeth bared and her hoof itching to reach for the large steel mace dangling at her side. She then took a long, slow breath before looking at the soldier standing before her. He was exhausted, with deep rings visible under his slightly lopsided golden helm.

“What's your rank?” Silent Shadow inquired.

“Private,” replied the stallion.

“Okay private, we are going to do a little exercise okay? I’m going to pose a scenario and you’re going to tell me how it's going to play out,” Silent Shadow pressed.

“Uhhh, you really should just have the password. Another spy tried to get in the other day,” he answered.

Silent Shadow grit her teeth even tighter and ignored the comment. “Alright so imagine you were you and you were keeping one of the highest-ranked members of Luna’s inner circle from delivering news that is highly time sensitive to her majesty.”

“Uhh-”

“News that should it be delayed could cost the lives of your fellow soldiers, and potentially lead to the undue extension of this war by months, maybe even years,” Silent Shadow continued. “What do you think would happen to you after it was discovered what you’ve done, hmm?”

The stallion shifted uncomfortably in his post, shrinking slightly under the intense, withering gaze of the intelligence officer.

“You can go in,” he whispered.

“I thought as much. Good night, private,” Silent Shadow proclaimed before stomping off into the camp, a scowl on her face.

A few steps later and she had passed the small ditch, the half-constructed gate, and the wooden palisades being built on either side. Though late enough for the moon to stand high in the sky, workers continued to labor in an effort to shore up their defenses. Most of those working had darker garb or some indicator that they owed their allegiance to the dark alicorn of the night.

There were a few amongst them that called Celestia their primary princess, but they were in the clear minority. Struggling to stay awake, they would stop and occasionally take a sip from a strong-smelling brew. They worked quietly, and with determination, few words needing to be exchanged amidst the bustling camp.

A sudden dull boom, followed by a distant, bright flash startled Silent Shadow from her reverie. Spinning around in place, she stared back at the source of the noise, her gaze immediately landing on what had caused the sound. On the horizon, past the rows of soldiers, tents, and ditches was a fortress illuminated by hundreds of small fires.

The biggest of these fires had engulfed a large tower built into the exterior wall in a mass of flickering purple. The magical flames licked at the stonework, turning the grey stone to slag which melted down the sides. Though a spectacular light show, it did little to actually damage the building itself as enemy casters were quick to extinguish the magical fires.

Silent Shadow dropped her mace back into its loop and took a moment to straighten her outfit. Her dark cape had its creases removed, and the overlapping layers of chain, leather, and plate were put back into their place. The sliver moon badge she wore proudly on her shoulder was also straightened, and polished, ending the short ritual Silent Shadow used to calm her nerves.

With that done, she pushed on through the camp, crossing over a small creek in the process. A few unarmored soldiers were gathering water, hauling it over to where several large pots were sitting atop hot coals. The pleasant aroma of boiled field carrots and musty potatoes tickled Silent Shadow’s nose. Though her stomach rumbled, and she was hungry enough to ignore the scent of rot that lingered in the air, Silent Shadow pushed past the urge to eat.

No, she told herself, pushing on and, passing by more soldiers as she did so.

Large earth ponies hooked up to ropes raised tents, while others heaped mats of straw and grass atop the simple triangular dwellings they had built, creating a roof. Among the squalor of the lower camp worked the armorers, fletchers, blacksmiths, cooks, and medics. Each one tended to another of the army’s needs, though thankfully few could be spotted in the healer’s tent.

“Mostly banana boys anyway,” Silent Shadow muttered to herself contemptuously.

Continuing on, she walked down the winding path, passing by soldiers talking idly around small fires. She saw a few of her comrades sparring, their main weapons left to the side, leaving the pair to go at one another with mere daggers. The fight was interesting, with both combatants clearly being skilled but Silent Shadow knew at a glance who would win.

Though a part of her was tempted to get in on the betting scene growing at the edge of the dirt pit, she continued on. Until she came to a crossroads, where to the left there sat a small hill, atop which was a brightly colored golden tent. While on the other there was a small lowland area that had likely been the garden slash milling area at one point. Now there was only the water wheel left sitting in the creek, the rest of the building had burnt down before the army’s arrival.

The difference was stark, with Luna’s royal tent, marked by its star-strewn exterior having been erected amidst the ashy remains. The local solar commander had commandeered the high ground, as well as the only remaining structure and a well. The sight made Silent Shadow’s blood boil, but she pushed the anger she felt deep down inside of herself.

Stomping her way across the small stone bridge, she nodded to the pair of lunar soldiers positioned on the other side. Unlike the tired, overwhelmed guard near the camp entrance, these two were well-rested, and more importantly, they recognized the pegasus. They allowed her in without a word, simply stepping to either side respectfully, with one giving her a small nod as she passed.

Silent Shadow didn't return the gesture, her attention too focused on the squalid conditions her comrades were forced to labor within. The fire had clearly spread, and though rain had come soon after from the looks of it, that had just turned the area into a disgusting quagmire. Though mostly remedied, the mere fact that they had been put here made her hoof twitch toward her weapon.

Those thoughts were brushed aside for the moment, the mare focusing herself on the more direct path before her. Namely, the one that lead up to the dark purple and black tent that bore hundreds of silvery stars, as well as a blue flag adorned with the image of a full moon. Along the way she noticed that several ponies were milling about, their golden armor marking them as Celestia’s soldiers.

“So,” Silent Shadow began, stopping next to where a curious dark-furred soldier was leaning against a burnt beam of wood. “What's the deal?”

“Commander dick lips wants Luna to rally her best and assault the walls tonight,” he replied without missing a beat. “The idiot doesn't seem to realize that we’ve been marching for over a week straight just to get here.”

“Or doesn't care,” Silent Shadow replied.

The other soldier snorted irritably before unbuckling his gambeson and reaching inside, producing a pipe. He then gestured the dark red piece of wood at Silent Shadow, who shook her head and held up a hoof.

“Suit yourself,” he muttered.

As he packed the bowl, and sparked the fragrant tobacco, Silent Shadow watched the command tent eagerly. Her highly trained and sensitive ears could pick out bits of conversation but only ever a single side. Luna, or whoever was speaking for the princess was quiet, barely audible, unlike the other party who yelled almost constantly.

Though loud, the tent muffled just enough of what he was saying to make a complete account of the conversation impossible. From what Silent Shadow did hear, the soldier’s story seemed to be completely on the nose. The loud voice wanted Luna’s help in attacking immediately but was not getting his way no matter how much he blustered.

After a few minutes, his voice fell, and it wasn't long until he emerged with a sour expression on his face. Though frowning, and clearly annoyed he didn't seem to be angry, nor did he direct his irritation at anyone present. The lightly armored old stallion merely gestured for his young, female attendant to continue on, their escort falling in on either side.

Upon passing Silent Shadow, the general glanced to the side and nodded at the intelligence officer. She returned the gesture this time, though only slightly. The urge to bash his head in was nearly overwhelming but it passed when he did, leaving Silent Shadow with only a white-hot coal of contempt in the pit of her stomach.

“Silent Shadow,” announced a voice, drawing the mare’s gaze up to the tent guard. “You may enter, but be swift with your news. The night is short, and the work is great.”

“I will be quick,” Silent Shadow promised.

“See to it that you are,” declared the unicorn mare before lighting her horn and pulling aside the entrance, and revealing the interior of the tent.

Though extravagant when compared to the tents Silent Shadow had passed by, it was hardly worthy of its royal occupant. A wooden floor covered almost completely with various carpets ensured that at least she need not tread upon the ash-covered ground. Though the rest of the ornamentation was lacking, it was at least the same shades of blue and purple that Luna favored.

The mare herself was standing hunched over a large regional map with a castle depicted at its center. Various forces were represented by wooden pieces of various colors, with a queen stolen from a chess board serving as Luna’s stand-in. The advisors present ignored Silent Shadow’s entry, save for a tall, slim stallion that stood so close to Luna’s side that he seemed affixed to the large mare.

A whisper in the princess’s ear drew her attention up, her gaze meeting the intelligence officer.

“Ahh, you’ve returned from the northern front ahead of schedule. What news do you bring?” Luna asked.

“Before I get to that I must ask why you allow that blow hard to tread upon you in such a manner,” Silent Shadow half asked, half demanded. “I can hardly believe you let him raise his voice like that.”

“He is stressed and frightened for his soldiers. In the end, he begged our forgiveness and we gave it. I will not have anyone spread rumors of division,” Luna stated.

Silent Shadow bit her lip, holding back the retort she wanted to launch.

“And he got the hill because he’s been here for several days while we have only just arrived,” added the slender stallion that stood to Luna’s right.

“That may be seneschal Quiet Counsel, but there is a clear difference in status that must be respected,” Silent Shadow pressed on. “Furthermore his camp is hardly fit for-”

“Silence,” Luna interrupted, the armored alicorn shooting her intelligence officer a glare. “Surely you did not come here just to complain of a war camp in the midst of a siege.”

“No, apologies,” Silent Shadow declared, bowing low. “I am ornery from so many days of flight. Please forgive me.”

“No forgiveness necessary, now rise, and tell us what tidings you bear,” Luna ordered, her tone softening somewhat.

Silent Shadow did as she was told, standing back up and approaching the table. As she did, her gaze flicked across the various other officers present. None were willing to speak out of turn, but Silent Shadow could detect that they were itching to offer a rebuke of the mare themself. All save for a smaller, beedy-eyed young unicorn mare equipped in the obscuring garb of a scout.

“The refugees of Stoneburrow, and the surrounding lands have escaped custody, and made their way to the Valley of Dreams,” Silent Shadow began, gesturing to the highest spot on the map. “The scouting parties sent after them have not returned, and they are assumed to be dead.”

“Your telling me a bunch of half-starved pagan farmers managed such a trek and then killed the squads sent after them? Preposterous,” scoffed an older, dark-furred unicorn stallion with a noble bearing.

“That does strain credulity,” Luna muttered in agreement.

“It would, if they didn't have help,” Silent Shadow began, noting that seemed to draw the interest of the table. “Assistance great enough to destroy what meager forces we were able to send, and even survive months away from civilization.”

“It couldn't have been the griffons, they’ve got their talons full raiding our exposed flanks,” remarked another of Luna’s cabinet.

“Or the dragons,” offered the seneschal. “They are too opportunistic for that.”

“It was neither,” Silent Shadow egged on.

“Explain,” Luna demanded.

“It seems as though the pagans have managed to bring back Gaia,” Silent Shadow declared before taking a step back.

Sure enough, the table erupted with nearly a dozen voices all speaking out of turn.

“Impossible!”

“Gaia was never real, to begin with!”

“That two-bit earth spirit could never best our soldiers.”

More dissenting opinions were raised, incredulity offered, and counterpoints proposed. The only three who didn't speak were the scout, and Luna along with her seneschal. They merely sat there either with wide confused eyes like the alicorn and her assistant, or a small, knowing grin like the smaller mare.

“Silence!” Luna shouted suddenly, a hoof slamming against the table with enough force to send a few of the pieces skittering onto the floor. “Can you confirm this, Silent Shadow?”

“I cannot, though I can confirm that they genuinely believe that it is Gaia. They have sent for more of their wayward pagan cousins to join them, and have begun large-scale agricultural production,” Silent Shadow continued.

“That's so quick. There must be more of them than anticipated,” someone offered.

“Or they have received more help than first thought,” offered the seneschal.

“We must continue as though it is actually her,” Luna stated. “Anything less would be irresponsible.”

“I don't understand. Gaia is just some fairy tail earth spirit,” remarked the unicorn stallion in confusion.

“Gaia and the other primordial spirits are anything but mere stories,” Luna retorted. “If Gaia is back she may seek to resurrect the others, and if that happens…”

The terror, and uncertainty on Luna’s face shocked the others into silence, the unspoken threat dangling in the air like a sword of Damocles.

“What must we do?” pressed Quiet Counsel.

“We must do nothing,” Luna replied. “The siege is too important, and there are too many issues that require my oversight in the present. Even if I brush aside the matters of less import it would still be years before we could properly march on the valley.”

“Might Celestia shoulder some of this burden?” asked the unicorn stallion.

“Unlikely,” Luna remarked. “The rebellions to the south are more widespread than we assumed, and it is likely that we’ll have to send the last of our reserve forces to help quell the chaos. It seems as though there are some manner of underground ruins down there that have stirred the population up and though my sister is confident in her ability to suppress them, she has encountered an unexpected level of resistance.”

“I thought it was just a lone cultist of Discord stirring up trouble,” Silent Shadow remarked.

Luna scowled. “That is how it began, though now that the native population of zebra has joined the conflict things have escalated in both size and scope.”

“Regardless,” Quiet Counsel interjected.

“Yes, regardless we must deal with this swiftly, and silently,” Luna began, her gaze settling on Silent Shadow. “Gather our quickest fliers, and our most powerful casters. Fly to the valley of dreams, destroy this false idol, and return the ponies living there back to civilized lands.”

“And if they won't leave?” Silent Shadow inquired.

Luna’s gaze grew distant, and her jaw tightened.

“Allow them to stay, but offer them what assistance you can muster,” Luna declared after a long pause. “We can't ascertain their innocence without investigation. Best leave them where they are until we have the opportunity to oversee things personally.”

“You want to simply leave the pagans even after they summoned such a creature to their aid?” inquired the previously silent scout.

“They may not have known what they have done or understood why doing so is such a grave mistake,” Luna replied.

“I apologize, your grace, but I simply don't understand why this is such a great issue,” stated the unicorn stallion in a low tone.

“These primordial spirits are not originally born of our world, or if Starswirl was correct, our reality entirely,” began Luna. “More pressing than their origin is the fact that they grow in power with faith, even becoming powerful enough to nearly kill Discord, and his gang of miscreants when they were at their peak.”

“But even you could only seal the beast away,” Quiet Counsel muttered.

“Exactly,” Luna replied. “Worse still, if this is indeed Gaia, she will know the previous hostility between us and will prepare accordingly.”

The unicorn stallion sat up in his chair. “What about-”

Luna held up a hoof, silencing the question before it could be spoken. “We will not speak on this matter further. Silent Shadow, do you have what you need?”

“I require only a moment longer of your time, your grace,” Silent Shadow interjected.

Luna nodded.

“I had hoped that after the completion of this mission, you would join me back in Canterlot for the first victory day ball,” Silent Shadow began.

Quiet Counsel scowled. “Presumptuous little-”

“Yes,” Luna interrupted. “If you return successful, I will grant you this boon. Though be warned that this means nothing. I know of your infatuation with me, and though I will offer you a chance it is just that, a chance.”

“I am honored to be given the mere opportunity,” Silent Shadow bowed low, a wing tip pressed against her chest in a dramatic flourish.

“Then you are dismissed though before you go I must impart upon you one more thing,” Luna remarked, stepping around the table and walking up until she was looming over the smaller mare. “There is a portal to a shadowy dimension mentioned in my mother’s notes. Supposedly, it contains a great evil, one so powerful that must be contained at all costs.”

“I will secure this portal after the idol is destroyed,” Silent Shadow declared.

“It cannot take precedence over your more pressing mission but it is still important. As for its whereabouts, I cannot offer much,” Luna whispered. “An underground city was supposedly built around it in order to protect it from those who may wish to free the creatures within. Though any hint as to its location has been lost to time.”

“Understood,” Silent Shadow declared.

Luna nodded and took a step back, the alicorn about to turn back to the table only to stop. “Oh and stop off at the camp of General Spears. I’ve heard some unfortunate reports about his religious predilections and I would have such ideas quashed.”

“What predilections are you speaking of? He isn't a pagan is he?” Silent Shadow replied.

“No, no. He seems to venerate my sister and I as deities, despite our frequent proclamations denying such a thing,” Luna remarked bitterly.

“Well you’re certainly more divine than some dimension-hopping spirit,” Silent Shadow joked.

Luna smirked. “True, though we can't let that go to our head.”

“Either way I will see to your will immediately, your grace,” Silent Shadow declared.

“Excellent. Though I know you will move quickly I must still urge you to make haste. This is not a problem that will stay small for long,” Luna warned.

“Pardon me, but may I assist Silent Shadow in locating and recruiting the necessary forces? It's unlikely that she knows her way around the camp yet,” offered the scout leader.

“Of course,” Luna replied, waving a dismissive hoof. “Just hurry back. We still have to discuss how we are going to end this siege now that we won't have our most elite forces at our disposal.”

The scout nodded respectfully before slipping away, falling alongside Silent Shadow as she exited the tent. Once out into the cold, quiet night, they turned to the right, with the smaller mare taking the slight lead. Winding their way through the camp, they made their way into a small copse of trees and the handful of tents pitched under their boughs.

Though still inside the main camp, they were in a small, unused section separate from the rest of the army. It was here that the scouts had pitched their tents, but they weren't alone, as a few others also joined them around the fire. The airborne division, casters, and camp menials all had a member or two sitting around the fire talking in hushed whispers.

“This is what you’ve gathered?” Silent Shadow inquired.

“Not all,” replied the scout leader. “We have many others working amongst the various army groups but it is difficult to stay undetected.”

“That fool Celestia may be undeserving of the attention she’s earned but her popularity is undeniable,” Silent Shadow muttered angrily.

The pair sat down away from the others, with the scout leader placing a small lantern between them. The tiny flame flickered to life, illuminating enough for the pair to see while away from the larger fire.

“At least we have Luna’s tacit approval,” remarked the scout leader. “Good show getting her to admit to being more divine than those creatures.”

Silent Shadow smirked. “I learned it from watching you, scout commander Knives.”

The smaller mare grinned right back. “Hopefully once this is over, Luna can acknowledge our church in a more open manner, but until then we’ll have to stay in the shadows.”

“Fitting though it may be, we must still push ahead with our plans,” Silent Shadow declared. “Speaking of which, any luck converting the other generals?”

“Only General Spears, a few others have signaled overt support, but are wary of wearing their faith too openly,” Knives replied.

Silent Shadow hummed to herself. “That makes sense. General Spears is far from Canterlot, and does not have the same concerns that the others do.”

“What are we going to do?” Knives whispered in a low tone. “If things continue as they are, Celestia will win over the majority of the populace and we can't have that.”

“No, you’re right. She’ll use popular support to dethrone Luna, and likely declare her a traitor of some variety,” Silent Shadow’s grinned. “But if Luna were the one to defeat the greatest of these so-called ‘old gods’, then her glory would eclipse even the wretched sun.”

Knives smiled back. “Oh, now that is a good idea if ever I’ve heard one. But, how will you accomplish this?”

“Leave that to me dear Knives,” Silent Shadow exclaimed, grinning wolfishly. “Leave that to me.”

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