The Silent Thaw

by Erin Hunter

  “I’m sure the other Clans are taking good care of their borders.” Bramblestar’s gaze bored into hers. “How were Lionblaze and Spotfur?”

  Bristlefrost stiffened. Had he found out that they’d crossed the border? She dropped her gaze. “They were okay.”

  “Did they say anything about the new prey rule?” His mew was smooth but firm.

  “Nothing.” She met his gaze again, relieved that she could answer with the truth.

  “And the rest of the Clan?”

  Bristlefrost’s ears twitched. “I’ve haven’t heard anything,” she told him honestly. “But I get the feeling they find it confusing.”

  “Confusing?” Bramblestar tipped his head to one side. “I thought I’d made it clear.”

  “You did,” she told him quickly. “They’re just confused about why you made a new prey rule.”

  “Has some cat said something?”

  “No,” Bristlefrost told him. “It’s just a feeling I have.”

  Bramblestar’s eyes brightened. “Good.” He sounded relieved. “So nothing’s happened to upset StarClan.” His statement was a question.

  “I don’t think so.” Bristlefrost hesitated. “Except . . .”

  Bramblestar narrowed his eyes. “What?” He leaned closer.

  Bristlefrost met his gaze uncertainly. She didn’t want to tell on any cat, but Lionblaze and Spotfur had crossed the border. StarClan would be angry, maybe even angrier if she kept it a secret from her leader.

  “You can tell me anything,” he mewed softly. “Remember, you’re helping me keep the Clan safe. I need to know if anything’s happened so I can protect it.”

  Bristlefrost took a breath. “Lionblaze and Spotfur accidently crossed the WindClan border while they were hunting.”

  Bramblestar didn’t move. His gaze lingered on her until she felt her pelt burning.

  “Only a little way,” she mewed quickly. “They didn’t realize until I told them.”

  Bramblestar leaned back, his fur smoothing around his shoulders. He looked relieved that she’d told him. Happiness flickered in her chest. She’d done the right thing. He could fix it now and StarClan wouldn’t have to be angry. She wasn’t sure how he could fix it, but he was leader. He’d find a way.

  Suddenly a shadow seemed to fall across Bramblestar’s face as his gaze darkened. Bristlefrost flinched as he bared his teeth for a moment. Then he stood and brushed past her, striding out of the den.

  She hurried after him, alarm sparking beneath her pelt. What was he going to do? Outside, on the Highledge, Bramblestar yowled across the camp. “Lionblaze! Spotfur!”

  He leaped down the stone tumble as Lionblaze and Spotfur looked up. Their eyes glittered with curiosity as they met him at the bottom. Bristlefrost stopped a tail-length away. Fear tightened her chest. Were they in trouble?

  “Is it true?” Bramblestar glared at Lionblaze.

  “True?” The golden warrior looked puzzled.

  Bramblestar’s gaze flicked toward Spotfur. “Did you cross the border into WindClan territory?”

  Spotfur and Lionblaze glanced past Bramblestar. Bristlefrost felt their gazes as sharp as thorns as they saw her. It was obvious that she’d told Bramblestar what they’d done. She shrank beneath her pelt, wishing Bramblestar hadn’t accused them so directly.

  Around the clearing, the other ThunderClan warriors were gathering, their pelts prickling nervously. Stemleaf stared at Spotfur in dismay. Cinderheart and Fernsong moved closer, exchanging nervous glances.

  Bramblestar curled his claws into the earth. “Well, did you?”

  Lionblaze lifted his chin. “We did, but it was an accident and no cat saw us. WindClan won’t ever know.”

  “Oh, really?” Bramblestar curled his lip. “You’re sure of that, are you? Did you lick your scent off the grass?”

  Lionblaze stared at him. “It was raining!”

  Spotfur nodded. “If it hadn’t been, we’d have smelled the border. We probably would never have crossed it.”

  “So what are you saying?” Bramblestar’s eyes flashed with rage. “That WindClan didn’t mark their border strongly enough?”

  Lionblaze gave a frustrated huff. “That’s not what we—”

  “If Harestar comes here,” Bramblestar hissed, cutting him off, “and accuses us of invading his land, is that what you’re going to tell him? That you wouldn’t have done it if he kept his borders better marked?”

  Lionblaze’s pelt ruffled. “Harestar isn’t going to accuse us of anything,” he snapped. “Warriors have crossed borders by accident before. It happens. We all know that.” He glanced around at his Clanmates. They returned his gaze blankly, as though they didn’t want to take sides.

  Bramblestar narrowed his eyes. “You know StarClan has been silent these past moons. We’re supposed to be following the warrior code so that they’ll come back. How do you think they’ll feel about warriors crossing borders without permission? Do you think they’ll come back if we can’t even obey such a simple rule?”

  “StarClan isn’t going to abandon us just because I crossed the WindClan border.” Lionblaze growled.

  “Did they tell you that?” Bramblestar mewed sarcastically. “Are you our new link with StarClan?”

  “Of course not.” Exasperation glittered in Lionblaze’s eyes.

  Bramblestar flattened his ears. “Then don’t tell me what StarClan is thinking. You broke the code even though I’ve told you it must be followed.”

  Spotfur bristled. “Every cat here has broken the code at some point.” She glared angrily at Bramblestar. “Some of us worse than others.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Bramblestar flexed his claws.

  “I mean that Squirrelflight once lied to every cat, pretending her sister’s kits—her sister the medicine cat’s kits—were hers. She lied on purpose and she lied for moons. If you can overlook that, then you can overlook us crossing a border without realizing.”

  Bramblestar stared at the spotted tabby she-cat. His hackles lifted menacingly. Bristlefrost swallowed back fear. Was the ThunderClan leader going to attack one of his own warriors? As she held her breath, Bramblestar shifted his paws. His pelt smoothed as he seemed to regain control of his temper.

  “Don’t concern yourself with Squirrelflight,” he meowed coldly. “As deputy, she’s served her Clan selflessly. I’m Clan leader and I decide who deserves punishment. Unless you think being granted nine lives by StarClan doesn’t mean anything?”

  Spotfur dropped her gaze. She looked defeated. Lionblaze moved closer to her, as if to protect her from Bramblestar’s rage. Bristlefrost glanced at her Clanmates. Graystripe had padded from the elders’ den and was staring at Bramblestar as though he barely knew him. Thornclaw watched with interest, his gaze dark. As Bramblestar stared at Spotfur, the camp was so silent that Bristlefrost wondered if the birds had stopped singing. Then she realized that her heart was pounding so loudly in her ears that she could barely hear anything.

  “For the next quarter moon,” Bramblestar began, “no cat is to talk to Spotfur.”

  Spotfur lifted her head sharply and stared at the ThunderClan leader. Bristlefrost felt cold. Was this a normal way to punish Clanmates? She glanced at Graystripe. He’d know, surely. But the old warrior looked as surprised as she felt.

  Bramblestar’s gaze moved to Lionblaze. “You are banished from the camp for a quarter moon.”

  Cinderheart stepped forward. “You can’t do that. . . .” She stared at Bramblestar. “He’s a ThunderClan warrior. We protect each other!”

  Bramblestar looked coolly at Lionblaze’s mate. “He has broken the warrior code, and questioned me for trying to uphold it. I will not let any cat undermine me or my Clan like that.” He returned his gaze to Lionblaze, who was staring at him in amazement. “You’re a seasoned warrior. You should know better.”

  Lionblaze’s gaze cleared. He blinked in disbelief but didn’t speak.

  Bramblestar curled his lip. “Surely you can stan
d living like a rogue for a quarter moon?”

  Lionblaze didn’t answer. Bristlefrost felt sick. She’d caused this. Would Lionblaze ever forgive her?

  Bramblestar went on. “If your scent is caught on Clan land—any Clan land—you will be treated like an invader and you won’t ever be allowed to return.”

  Lionblaze squared his shoulders. He looked around at his Clanmates, his gaze furious. Then he walked to the entrance and padded out of camp.

  Bristlefrost’s paws trembled. I was only trying to help. Her belly was hard with dread. She backed toward the shelter of the Highledge. Oh, StarClan! What have I done?

  Bristlefrost blinked open her eyes. The ground beneath her was damp. The sky had cleared, and stars glittered above her head. Night had swallowed the camp while she’d slept. She’d tried to escape her misery in sleep after Lionblaze had left. As she remembered with a jolt what had happened earlier that day, guilt seared her pelt once more. She lifted her head and gazed around the camp. Her Clanmates were sharing their evening meal, no more than shadows around the clearing, their mews hushed. Bramblestar was nowhere to be seen, and she guessed he was in his den with Squirrelflight.

  She pricked her ears as two shapes shifted behind the nursery. Their pelts gleamed in the moonlight as they sat a mouse-length away from each other. She recognized them at once. Stemleaf and Spotfur. Bristlefrost stiffened and sat up slowly, keeping her head low. She didn’t want to be noticed. Stemleaf and Spotfur were clearly hiding from their Clanmates. Their mouths were moving. Were they talking to each other? Had Stemleaf forgotten that no cat was supposed to speak to Spotfur for a quarter moon? Her heart quickened. What if Bramblestar found out? Would he banish Spotfur as he’d banished Lionblaze? She pricked her ears, her heart sinking when she heard their hushed whispers. After getting to her paws, she moved softly through the shadows, skirting the edge of the camp.

  “You can’t do this!” she breathed.

  Stemleaf swing his muzzle toward her. “Haven’t you caused enough trouble?”

  “Are you going to report us to Bramblestar?” Spotfur’s eyes flashed angrily.

  “No!” Did they really think she wanted to see them in trouble? “But what if some other cat sees you or hears you?” Bristlefrost’s belly churned with anxiety. Did they think rules didn’t apply to them? No wonder StarClan had turned their tails on the living cats. “You’re not supposed to be talking.”

  “Do you think that’s fair?” Stemleaf stared at her defiantly.

  “It doesn’t matter whether it’s fair or not,” Bristlefrost whispered urgently. “Bramblestar gave an order. You’re breaking the warrior code if you ignore it.”

  Spotfur’s ears flattened. “But his orders are dumb!”

  “Don’t say that!” Bristlefrost’s pelt spiked. “He’s our leader.”

  “He hasn’t been much of a leader since he lost a life,” Stemleaf growled under his breath.

  “It was his first life,” Bristlefrost reminded him. “He’s just getting used to it, and while he does, we just need to follow orders.”

  “Even if they’re wrong?” Stemleaf flexed his claws in frustration.

  “How will StarClan come back if we keep breaking the code?” Bristlefrost stared at him. Why didn’t he understand?

  Spotfur snorted. “Do you really think they’ll come back if no cat talks to me for a quarter moon?”

  “Not just that,” Bristlefrost argued. “It’s lots of things. I never realized how much we break the code without thinking. Every cat has to obey orders.”

  Stemleaf narrowed his eyes. “And you’re going to make sure that we do?” he mewed bitterly.

  “I’m just trying to stop you from getting into trouble like Spotfur,” Bristlefrost breathed. “You don’t want Bramblestar to stop your Clanmates from talking to you too.”

  Stemleaf stared at her, his eyes glittering with starlight. “You don’t get it, do you? There’s more at stake here than whether we’re allowed to talk to each other. Something is very wrong.” He stretched his muzzle closer. “I always thought you were a good cat. Soon we’re going to have to make choices. I just hope you’ll be ready to make the right ones.” He stalked away.

  Spotfur blinked at her, her eyes glistening with anger, then slid past her and headed toward the clearing.

  Alone in the dark, Bristlefrost glanced around the camp. No cat paid any attention to Spotfur as she settled outside the warriors’ den and Stemleaf sat down between Dewnose and Bumblestripe. A dark sense of foreboding seemed to enfold her as Stemleaf’s words rang in her head. Soon we’re going to have to make choices.

  She shivered. What in StarClan did he mean?

  Chapter 9

  Early morning light seeped through the medicine-den entrance as Shadowsight crept from his nest and crossed to Antfur’s. He hoped that Antfur would be his old self today. For three days, Shadowsight had padded to the injured cat’s nest in the medicine den and checked his eyes for cloudiness and asked him questions, hoping that he’d recovered enough to answer them sensibly. But each time Antfur had been confused, unsure where he was and answering questions as though he were still a guardian cat in the city.

  Shadowsight’s heart seemed to beat too loudly in the quiet dawn. Snowbird was curled in her nest, eyes closed. At least the pain in her broken paw had eased enough for her to sleep through the night, and the swelling in Stonewing’s tail had gone down enough to reassure Shadowsight that he wouldn’t lose the tip. Their Clanmates were healing quickly. Shadowsight couldn’t help feeling that he and Puddleshine had done well. Scorchfur’s bruising was still tender, but Puddleshine had sent him back to his nest in the warriors’ den when he’d complained that the smell of herbs was making him queasy. “If he’s well enough to complain,” Puddleshine had said, “he’s well enough to sleep in his own nest.” Perhaps ShadowClan hadn’t been cursed with bad luck after all.

  And yet, as Shadowsight stopped beside the warrior’s nest, doubt tugged at his belly. Please let Antfur be better today. He wondered if it was any use appealing to StarClan. He still wasn’t sure they hadn’t caused all this. Shadowsight leaned into the nest.

  “Antfur?” He nudged the sleeping cat with a paw.

  Antfur lifted his head, blinking in the half-light. He looked at Shadowsight, puzzled. “Is that you, Mittens?”

  Shadowsight’s heart sank. “It’s me, Shadowsight.”

  Puddleshine’s nest rustled at the back of the den as the medicine cat climbed out of it. “Why did you wake him?” Puddleshine breathed softly as he crossed the den toward Shadowsight.

  “I wanted to see how he was,” Shadowsight murmured.

  “Any better?” Puddleshine stopped beside him and looked at Antfur hopefully.

  “He’s still confused,” Shadowsight told him.

  “He just woke up.” Puddleshine peered into Antfur’s eyes. “He’s bound to be confused.”

  Antfur blinked at him. “What’s happened? Is something wrong?” His gaze flicked toward the pale light at the den entrance. “Am I supposed to be on patrol?”

  “No,” Puddleshine told the warrior. “You’re supposed to be resting. We’re just checking on you.” He sat back on his haunches and looked at Shadowsight. “His eyes seem clearer.”

  “Do they?” Shadowsight was blocking the light from the entrance. He moved until pale sunlight fell past him and glistened in Antfur’s amber gaze. Hope flickered in Shadowsight’s chest. Puddleshine was right; the haziness that had shrouded his eyes since the branch hit him had cleared.

  Antfur blinked at them. “Why are you both staring at me?”

  “Do you know who I am?” Puddleshine asked him.

  “Of course.” Antfur stared at him as though he’d asked if birds could fly. “You’re Puddleshine.”

  He recognizes us. Shadowsight’s paws tingled eagerly. “Do you know why you’re in the medicine den?”

  “I got hit by a branch,” Antfur told him.

  “Who was with you?” Shadowsight pressed
.

  Antfur stood up and shook out his fur. “Dovewing, Scorchfur, and Stonewing.”

  Shadowsight glanced at Puddleshine. Relief washed over his pelt. He’d been a bit confused when he first woke, but now Antfur seemed to be as sharp as he’d been before the accident.

  Puddleshine puffed out his chest. “It’s good to see you feeling better,” he told Antfur happily.

  Antfur pricked his ears. “Can I get back to my warrior duties now?”

  “Maybe,” Puddleshine told him.

  Shadowsight looked at his old mentor. “Are you sure? This is only the first time he’s seemed to know what’s going on. He called me Mittens earlier.”

  “He’d just woken up.”

  “Don’t you think we should watch him for a day or two to make sure he’s okay?”

  “If he feels well enough . . .” Puddleshine’s mew trailed away as Antfur hopped out of his nest.

  “I might have been confused before, but I’m fine now. I haven’t broken anything,” the warrior told him. “And my bruises are feeling a lot better.”

  The den entrance shivered. Tigerstar padded in, his gaze flitting toward Snowbird’s nest first as the white she-cat lifted her head. Her eyes were bleary with sleep.

  “How’s the paw?” Tigerstar padded toward her.

  “Only a little better.” Snowbird lifted it with a grimace. It was still swathed in comfrey and held stiff by four smooth, straight sticks.

  “Keep resting it,” Tigerstar told her brightly. “You’ll be hunting again in no time.” He crossed the den and stopped beside Puddleshine, his tail high. Shadowsight wondered if his father really felt as cheerful as he was acting. Perhaps he was just trying to keep his wounded warriors’ spirits high. “And how are you?” Tigerstar looked at Antfur.

  “Ready for patrol,” the tom told him, standing up straight.

  “Patrol?” Tigerstar looked surprised. “Already?”

  “I think he should rest for a couple of days,” Shadowsight mewed.