The Silent Thaw

by Erin Hunter

  “If we try to get rid of Bramblestar, we’ll be breaking the code in the worst way possible,” Cloverfoot argued.

  Frecklewish’s eyes widened. “What would StarClan think about that?”

  Stemleaf stared at the SkyClan medicine cat. “We have to do something! StarClan can’t really want us to turn our backs on one another. If Bramblestar wants to banish cats, I say we should banish him!” He gazed around at the cats, and Rootpaw saw Sneezecloud, Slightfoot, and Breezepelt nod in agreement.

  What would the ghost say if it were here? thought Rootpaw. It’d want me to tell them that the ThunderClan leader is an impostor. Rootpaw curled his claws into the ground. It would be so much simpler for these cats if they knew they were rebelling against an intruder and not a Clanmate. Tree was looking at him. He could read his father’s expression clearly. Tell them, it urged. Rootpaw tried to force himself to say the words, but he couldn’t. Shame washed his pelt. What if they thought he was crazy? What if they accused him of lying?

  Cloverfoot shook her head. “How could we banish the leader of ThunderClan?” Her gaze flashed around the cats. “There aren’t enough of us.”

  Sneezecloud nodded. “And we’re from different Clans. Even if we could each persuade our own Clans that what we’re doing is for the best, what could we do—invade ThunderClan’s camp?”

  “We could end up causing a war,” Cloverfoot agreed.

  “Not if enough cats agree that Bramblestar has to go,” Stemleaf argued.

  Breezepelt snorted. “When was the last time the Clans agreed on anything without fighting about it first?”

  The cats looked at one another, hesitating.

  Tree raised his muzzle. “Is it really worth fighting about? Doesn’t it make more sense to leave the Clans if you don’t like them?” He looked around at the gathered cats.

  Cloverfoot’s ears flattened. Finleap’s tail flicked dangerously as Tree went on.

  “You could make your own Clan. Or be free to live how you like. I lived alone for a long time and it was great. Why let some crazy cat tell you what to do if you don’t agree with them?”

  Rootpaw’s head drooped. Didn’t Tree realize what he was saying? Did he really understand so little about being a warrior? He nudged Tree, but his father hadn’t finished.

  “I think we should show Bramblestar what we think of his codebreaking rules by leaving—”

  Rootpaw stepped forward, cutting Tree off. “Leaving isn’t an option.” He looked pointedly at Tree. “If we can’t drive Bramblestar away by force, we have to find another way to deal with him.” His thoughts quickened. This was his chance to help the others see that something was wrong with the ThunderClan leader. “Haven’t you noticed how much he’s changed since he lost a life?” He looked questioningly at the cats, relieved to see some of them nodding. “Losing a life is scary, but is it supposed to change you completely?”

  “It didn’t change Leafstar,” Blossomheart mewed.

  Rootpaw’s pelt spiked. Had Leafstar lost a life? He’d thought she still had nine. Perhaps Blossomheart was mistaken.

  Frecklewish flashed a warning look at Blossomheart, and the ginger-and-white she-cat quickly dropped her gaze.

  Cloverfoot was frowning. “Tigerstar didn’t change when he lost a life. I don’t see why any cat would. Surely one life is the same as another, and Bramblestar still has eight left, which is more than most leaders.”

  Finleap flicked his tail. “The old Bramblestar would never have acted like this.”

  The old Bramblestar. Rootpaw blinked at the ThunderClan tom. Had he guessed that his leader was an impostor?

  “I wish he’d pull himself together and be normal again,” Finleap went on.

  Rootpaw’s heart sank. Finleap clearly had no idea. “Perhaps he can’t be normal again. Perhaps something happened while he was dead.” He blinked at the others, willing them to guess. He could feel Tree staring at him. He knew his father was urging him to speak, but he avoided catching his eye. Just tell them! The words were on his tongue, but he couldn’t bring himself to speak.

  Spotfur stared at him, puzzled. “Do you think StarClan said something to him while he was dead?”

  Tree padded forward. “Something happened while he was dead, but I don’t think it was anything to do with StarClan.” The other cats stared at him, ears pricking as Tree went on. “The cat that came back isn’t Bramblestar.”

  “What do you mean?” Stemleaf looked puzzled.

  “It can’t be Bramblestar,” Tree told him. “Because I’ve seen Bramblestar’s ghost in the forest. I’ve spoken to it.”

  Stemleaf’s eyes widened. “You saw his ghost?”

  “You spoke to it?” Spotfur stared at Tree in disbelief.

  Gratitude flooded beneath Rootpaw’s fur. The truth was out. And he didn’t have to admit to seeing dead cats. They’d have to do something now, wouldn’t they?

  Frecklewish frowned. “But Bramblestar is alive. He can’t be a ghost.”

  “The Bramblestar who came back isn’t the real Bramblestar,” Tree told him. “Some cat is using his body to harm the Clans. The real Bramblestar is a ghost. He can see what’s going on, but he can’t contact StarClan. I’m the only cat he can talk to.”

  Frecklewish’s pelt was bristling as she stared at Tree. “Do you mean that the leader of ThunderClan is an impostor?”

  Tree nodded.

  Rootpaw saw the cats exchange glances. Their eyes were wide with confusion.

  “A cat stole another cat’s body. . . .” Whorlpelt stared, open-mouthed, as his mew trailed away, clearly struggling to believe what he was saying.

  Breezepelt’s ear twitched. “How can that be? Surely no cat could steal a body?”

  Tree shrugged. “All I know is that Bramblestar’s ghost is trapped in the forest and his body is being used by some other cat.”

  “It’s too crazy to believe,” Cloverfoot breathed.

  Rootpaw leaned forward eagerly. You have to believe him!

  As the cats eyed one another doubtfully, Tree whisked his tail. “If you don’t want to believe me, then don’t. But how would you explain the way Bramblestar has changed?”

  Stemleaf and Spotfur exchanged glances. Breezepelt frowned. Rootpaw felt queasy. Were they going to reject Tree’s claim?

  Twigbranch padded forward. “The Bramblestar who’s leading the Clan is not the Bramblestar any of us grew up with.” Her eyes glittered anxiously. “Since he made his new rule that he and Squirrelflight can take prey from the fresh-kill pile before the elders and queens, he’s become even more strict.”

  Breezepelt blinked in surprise. “Did Squirrelflight agree with this rule?”

  Twigbranch shifted, uncomfortable. “She didn’t seem happy,” she murmured.

  Breezepelt’s hackles lifted. “How could any warrior take prey before elders and queens?”

  “What a fox-heart!” Cloverfoot hissed.

  Frecklewish’s eyes flashed. “I think we need to speak to Shadowsight.”

  “Why Shadowsight?” Stemleaf looked at her.

  “He’s the one who told ThunderClan to take Bramblestar to the moor when he was sick,” Frecklewish explained. “He was there when Bramblestar got his second life. Didn’t he say that StarClan had told him what to do?”

  “Do you think Shadowsight’s behind this?” Cloverfoot looked scared.

  Rootpaw searched Frecklewish’s gaze. Was Shadowsight helping the impostor? He leaned forward as the SkyClan medicine cat’s eyes darkened.

  “He’s very young,” she mewed thoughtfully. “I was surprised that StarClan put so much trust in him. But if he is involved, I don’t think he realizes what he’s doing. It’s strange that he’s the only medicine cat StarClan has shared with all leaf-bare. There might be more to their messages than he thinks.” She looked at Cloverfoot. “Can you ask him about his vision?”

  Cloverfoot shifted her paws uneasily. “He’s Tigerstar’s son. How would it look if the ShadowClan deputy questioned him? Shadow
Clan is still fragile after Darktail. I don’t want to cause doubt. Besides, it might scare him into trying to cover his tracks.”

  “So you think he has been up to something?” Stemleaf flicked his tail.

  “I don’t think Shadowsight is capable of doing anything dishonest, but he might have made a mistake,” Cloverfoot mewed.

  “I’ll speak to him.” Frecklewish lifted her chin. “I’m a medicine cat. I can ask him about his visions without it seeming strange. There might be something he’s missing.”

  “I’ll help you.” Rootpaw blinked at the SkyClan medicine cat. “We’re kind of friends. He might open up if I’m there.”

  “Okay.” Stemleaf lifted his tail. “We’ll find out more about Shadowsight’s visions before we decide what to do next.” As the other cats nodded, Stemleaf headed for the bushes. “We’d better get back to our Clans before any cat notices we’re missing.”

  Rootpaw felt relieved. Other cats, besides him and Tree, knew about the impostor. It isn’t just my problem anymore. He blinked gratefully at Tree as they crossed the hollow. If they left now, they’d be home long before their Clanmates woke.

  Rootpaw stiffened, his heart lurching. The branches rustled on the far side of the hollow. A shape was slinking from the shadows. Had the meeting been discovered? His breath caught in his throat as he recognized the pale gray fur. Bristlefrost! What was she doing here?

  “Run!” Twigbranch’s pelt spiked with panic. “It’s Bramblestar’s spy! Get out of here. She’ll report us!”

  Rootpaw froze as the others scrambled for the bushes. He stared at Bristlefrost. Bramblestar’s spy? His throat tightened. Was she helping the impostor?

  Chapter 17

  Bristlefrost blinked in dismay. Did they really believe she’d betray them? “I won’t report you!” Panic sparked through her fur. “I came here to . . .” Her words trailed away as the cats hesitated, stopping and turning to look back at her, staring at her like prey watching a patrol. Why was she here? She hadn’t even been sure she should come. Was she really ready to turn on Bramblestar? Guilt tugged at her belly. He trusted her more than he trusted any other cat in ThunderClan. But something was very wrong with her leader. He’d tried to kill his own daughter. Rootpaw had been right. She’d heard it with her own ears. Bramblestar wasn’t himself. She lifted her muzzle. “I came here to join you.”

  Stemleaf looked suspicious. “Join us?”

  Around him, the other cats shifted uneasily. Spotfur narrowed her eyes. Sneezecloud and Dappletuft moved closer together, eyeing her distrustfully. Breezepelt flattened his ears.

  “I’m worried about Bramblestar,” Bristlefrost blurted. She didn’t want to admit she’d been eavesdropping, but she wanted ThunderClan to go back to normal.

  “How long have you been here?” Stemleaf’s hackles lifted.

  “Not long,” she told him. “I just heard the last bit,” she told him. “I know Bramblestar’s not really Bramblestar.” She searched Stemleaf’s gaze. Would he believe her? “You want to get rid of him.”

  Stemleaf frowned as though trying to decide if he could trust her.

  Spotfur pushed past him, her ears twitching angrily. “How did you find out about this meeting?”

  “I heard you talking about it with Stemleaf,” Bristlefrost told her.

  “So you were spying again?” Spotfur’s mew was hard.

  Again. The word stung. Did her Clanmates really think she was a spy? She’d only been trying to help Bramblestar make sure ThunderClan was following the warrior code. “Not spying,” Bristlefrost mewed. “I was coming back from the dirtplace and I heard you telling Twigbranch and Finleap about it. I didn’t mean to overhear.”

  Twigbranch padded closer. “Why did you come?”

  “I told you.” Bristlefrost swallowed. A small part of her had believed her Clanmates would be pleased to see her. She was disappointed to see that they weren’t. “I’m worried about Bramblestar. He’s been acting weird. But you say it’s not Bramblestar. And that makes sense. Bramblestar was always kind. He always wanted the best for his Clan, but I think this Bramblestar wants to hurt ThunderClan.” She remembered the scent of fresh-kill at the abandoned Twoleg den. “He doesn’t care who suffers.”

  The other cats were creeping closer, circling her. Their tails flicked uneasily, but there was interest in their gazes. She noticed Rootpaw and felt her chest loosen. He’d trust her, wouldn’t he? They were friends.

  “We’re going to ask Shadowsight about his visions,” Rootpaw told her. “He might be able to give us a clue about who the impostor is.”

  Bristlefrost thought it was a good plan, but she had a better one. “Then what?” She didn’t wait for an answer. “We have to expose Bramblestar. It’s the only way we’ll be safe. We need the support of more powerful cats.”

  “More powerful?” Frecklewish swished her tail. “Shadowsight is a medicine cat. So am I. Leaders listen to us.”

  “But Shadowsight is a ShadowClan cat, and you’re SkyClan. We need more support in ThunderClan.” Bristlefrost glanced around at the watching cats, relieved as their fur smoothed. They believed she was here to help. She went on. “There’s a cat in ThunderClan who already suspects Bramblestar’s not Bramblestar. If we can persuade her to join us, we might be able to get rid of the impostor without a fight.”

  Spotfur pricked her ears. “Who are you talking about?”

  Bristlefrost met her gaze. Squirrelflight. She hesitated, swallowing back the name. Would telling them undo the little trust she’d gained? They might not believe me. Squirrelflight was Bramblestar’s deputy. And his mate. She lifted her chin. She had to tell them. The ThunderClan deputy might be their strongest ally. “Squirrelflight.”

  “Squirrelflight?” Stemleaf blinked in surprise. “She’s his mate. Why would she turn against him?”

  Spotfur nodded. “What if she accuses us of treason?”

  Rootpaw stiffened. “She’d never do that!”

  Bristlefrost saw his pelt ruffle along his spine. She met his gaze hopefully as the other cats stared at him.

  Stemleaf narrowed his eyes. “What makes you so sure?”

  “I took her a message from the ghost,” Rootpaw mewed softly.

  The cats’ gazes widened.

  Tree stepped forward. “I asked him to,” he told them. “The ghost told me I needed to get a message to Squirrelflight, and it was easier for Rootpaw to sneak into the ThunderClan camp without causing suspicion.”

  Bristlefrost frowned at Tree in confusion. “The ghost told you?” Hadn’t Rootpaw told her the ghost had spoken to him, not Tree?

  “Yes,” Tree answered.

  Rootpaw blinked at her imploringly. “Tree can see dead cats,” he mewed. “So the ghost talked to him.”

  She hesitated. Rootpaw clearly wanted her to go along with this story. Tree was staring at her too. There had to be a good reason why they were lying about which one of them could see the ghost. She swished her tail. “He’s telling the truth,” she mewed.

  Frecklewish narrowed her eyes. “What message did you give her?” she asked Rootpaw.

  “What did the ghost want to tell her?” Whorlpelt added.

  Bristlefrost glanced at Rootpaw. She remembered the message as though it were burned into her thoughts.

  Rootpaw was staring solemnly at Whorlpelt. “He wanted to tell her that he didn’t know who was in his body, but it wasn’t him.”

  The gathered cats exchanged glances, unease glittering in their eyes.

  “She didn’t believe it at first,” Bristlefrost added. “But with how strangely Bramblestar’s been acting, she couldn’t deny it for long.”

  Breezepelt tipped his head thoughtfully. “But even if she believes it now, she can’t just get rid of him. She’d need the support of her Clanmates. It could be dangerous.”

  Stemleaf nodded. “We don’t want our Clanmates fighting one another,” he agreed.

  “And we can’t risk Bramblestar getting hurt,” Spotfur chimed. “Brambles
tar’s ghost will want his body back.”

  Stemleaf gazed around at the other cats. They swapped anxious glances as silence filled the hollow.

  Bristlefrost puffed out her chest, frustrated. “We have to do something,” she pressed. “The impostor tried to kill Sparkpelt.”

  Twigbranch’s pelt spiked. “What?”

  “The dogs that attacked her weren’t there by accident,” Bristlefrost looked around at the other cats. “Bramblestar sent Sparkpelt to search for catmint beside the abandoned Twoleg den on our land,” she explained. “She was attacked by dogs while she was looking for it. I went to investigate and found that some cat had been storing fresh-kill inside the old den. I think it was Bramblestar. I think he’d been luring dogs there for days before he sent Sparkpelt to fetch the catmint.”

  “How do you know it was Bramblestar?” Frecklewish asked.

  “Who else could it have been?” Bristlefrost blinked at her. “He was angry with her because she’d tried to find Lionblaze. So he sent her there even after Alderheart told him that catmint wouldn’t be growing yet.”

  Twigbranch padded closer to Finleap, her tail twitching nervously. “Are any of us safe?”

  “I don’t think so.” Bristlefrost blinked at her. “That’s why we have to persuade Squirrelflight to join us. I don’t think it will be hard. She must want the real Bramblestar back, too.”

  Spotfur’s gaze glittered warily. “Why should we believe you really want to help? You could be spying for Bramblestar.”

  “Why would I spy for an impostor?” Bristlefrost squared her shoulders. “You have to trust me. I only tried to help Bramblestar before I knew what he was. But now that I know he’s not Bramblestar, I want to protect my Clan. I’ll do anything you ask.”

  Stemleaf eyed her suspiciously. “Do you think you can persuade Squirrelflight to join us?”

  “Of course!” Bristlefrost blinked at him eagerly.

  Spotfur pricked her ears. “Joining us isn’t enough. She has to tell the other leaders that Bramblestar’s an impostor.”

  “I can ask her.”

  “You have to convince her,” Spotfur pressed. “It’s the only way we can save the Clans from Bramblestar.”