The Silent Thaw

by Erin Hunter

  “StarClan does.” Bramblestar faced the ShadowClan leader. “Their message was very clear.”

  “The message was clear.” Shadowsight padded farther forward, craning his neck to stare at Bramblestar. “But I don’t think it came from StarClan.”

  “Nonsense!” Bramblestar’s pelt twitched. “Who else could it have come from?”

  Berrynose gazed eagerly at his leader. “Only StarClan would care about the warrior code!”

  “StarClan makes rules for a reason!” Mallownose yowled from among the RiverClan cats. “We must obey them.”

  “The code has been broken!” Scorchfur glanced up from the ShadowClan warriors.

  Rootpaw caught Bristlefrost’s eye. She looked at him helplessly as, once more, yowls of agreement rose from every Clan. Stemleaf and Spotfur moved closer together. Cloverfoot stared somberly at the gathered cats.

  “The codebreakers must atone!” Harrybrook lashed his tail.

  Sparrowpelt pricked his ears. “We must bring StarClan back,” he called. “They are silent for a reason.”

  Rootpaw shrank from his Clanmates. Were SkyClan cats siding with Bramblestar? He glanced to the edge of the clearing, where the ghost watched in dismay, pressing his belly to the earth like a cornered rabbit. Rootpaw’s heart felt heavy with dread. The ghost must realize the danger. If warriors from every Clan believed atonement was the only way to bring StarClan back, to stand against them could mean war. Would the ghost want to get rid of the impostor if it meant Clanmate fighting Clanmate?

  Scorchfur padded to the foot of the oak and looked up at Bramblestar. “Dovewing left ShadowClan to atone, but Tigerstar brought her back before she finished.” His gaze flicked accusingly to his leader. “Hasn’t ShadowClan suffered enough?” he asked Tigerstar.

  Tigerstar puffed out his fur. “I couldn’t let Dovewing risk her safety.”

  “Instead you risk the safety of the whole Clan!” Scorchfur held his gaze.

  Bramblestar jerked his muzzle toward Tigerstar. “Is this true? Did you prevent a codebreaker from atoning?”

  Tigerstar’s ears twitched. “I am leader of ShadowClan. I say what happens there.”

  Bramblestar didn’t move. “Are you going against the laws of StarClan?”

  “That is for StarClan to decide.” Tigerstar’s tail flicked ominously. “Not you.”

  Bramblestar turned his gaze back to the gathered cats. “The only way to bring StarClan back is to stand together. Codebreakers must atone no matter what Clan they’re from.” He glanced scornfully at Dovewing. “Squirrelflight has atoned—why not Dovewing?” He didn’t wait for an answer. “Any leader who can’t enforce the law of StarClan has no right to be a leader.”

  Around the clearing, warriors glanced at one another uneasily. Then Berrynose raised his muzzle. “StarClan won’t come back if the law isn’t enforced.”

  “Leaders must lead!” Yarrowleaf yowled at Tigerstar.

  “They owe it to their Clan!” Harrybrook mewed loudly.

  As murmurs of agreement rippled through the crowd, Bramblestar swung his gaze back to Tigerstar. “If you can’t lead ShadowClan, perhaps Cloverfoot should take your place.”

  Rootpaw’s pelt bristled as he looked at Cloverfoot. She knew Bramblestar was an impostor. Surely she wouldn’t agree to his demand! The ShadowClan deputy shifted nervously, then padded forward. “I stand by Tigerstar,” she meowed slowly. “I would never take his place. And I won’t let another Clan tell us what to do.” Her hackles lifted as she met Bramblestar’s gaze.

  Bramblestar snorted and looked back to the crowd. “ShadowClan’s warriors shouldn’t suffer while their codebreakers go unpunished.” His gaze fixed on Scorchfur. “If neither ShadowClan’s leader nor its deputy is ready to follow StarClan’s laws, perhaps we should find them new leadership.”

  Scorchfur’s ears twitched nervously. He backed away into the crowd, but around him a soft murmuring echoed Bramblestar’s suggestion.

  “We need leaders who will make StarClan come back.” Emberfoot’s mew sounded from the WindClan cats.

  Panic began to spark in Rootpaw’s chest. This wasn’t how the Gathering was meant to go. Bramblestar was supposed to be revealed as an impostor so the Clans could unite against him. Instead the Clans seemed to be supporting him more than ever. To call him an impostor now might start a battle. Rootpaw blinked at Bristlefrost desperately. She returned his gaze, her eyes round with alarm. He turned to Frecklewish. Perhaps a medicine cat could speak out. But she only stared grimly ahead as though trying to hide what she felt. Was no cat going to speak? Even the ghost seemed to have given up. It still crouched in the shadows, its translucent pelt so pale that it seemed hardly more than a dab of moonlight. I have to do something! Pelt bristling, Rootpaw lifted his chin. “Would our ancestors approve of one Clan turning on another?”

  His voice sounded no more than a whisper, but the crowd seemed to grow still around him.

  “What was that?” Jayfeather turned toward Rootpaw. “Speak up, apprentice! Don’t make me think I’m deaf as well as blind.”

  As the gazes of the Clans turned toward him, Rootpaw’s pelt burned. He forced himself to speak. He looked at the ghost. I’m saying this for you! “Even when the spirits of dead cats can’t speak to those they love . . .” He willed the ghost to get to its paws. “They can still see us.” If Bramblestar’s spirit was defeated, what hope was there for the cats who wanted to stand up to the impostor? “They surround us all the time. How would they feel if they saw us turn on one another in their name?”

  He felt Bramblestar’s gaze sear his pelt and met it, sticking out his chest. He searched it, wondering who was behind those burning eyes. If it wasn’t the real Bramblestar staring at him, who was it?

  “You’re Tree’s kit, aren’t you?” Bramblestar’s snarl was as sharp as a fox’s.

  Rootpaw forced himself not to flinch. “Yes, I am.”

  “Your father thinks the forest is full of dead cats, but a true warrior knows that dead cats go to StarClan. No spirits surround us.” Suspicion flared in his gaze. “Why are you arguing against enforcing the warrior code? Are you a codebreaker too?”

  Rootpaw felt Tree stiffen beside him. “My kit is no codebreaker,” he snapped. “A dead cat can walk where it likes. Just because you’re a Clan leader doesn’t give you the power to decide where they put their paws. I saw my father in the forest after he died, and my mate’s mother returned to speak to her kits.” He glanced across the heads of his Clanmates to where Twigbranch stood. “Isn’t that right?”

  She met his gaze uneasily but nodded. “It’s true.”

  Violetshine moved closer to Tree. “I saw her too, and I saw Needletail after she died. She’s the one who led me to Tree in the first place.”

  Murmurs of agreement rippled through the gathered cats.

  “Plenty of us saw cats from StarClan and the Dark Forest fight at our sides.” Crowfeather stared at the crowd, as though challenging them to deny it. “Surely you remember the Great Battle?” His Clanmates began to nod, and among the other Clans, warriors dipped their heads in agreement.

  Bramblestar flicked his tail impatiently. “Let’s not waste time reminiscing!” he growled. “So some of you have seen dead cats. It doesn’t change anything. Rootpaw is just trying to stir up trouble. We know what our ancestors want. They want the codebreakers to atone.”

  Tree flattened his ears. “I thought it was you who wanted the codebreakers to atone,” he mewed acidly.

  Rootpaw glanced at his father, panic sparking in his fur. Hush! It was dangerous to provoke the ThunderClan leader any more. What if Tree got himself exiled? His father had already been talking about leaving the Clans. Would he ever come back?

  Fury flashed in Bramblestar’s eyes. “I speak for StarClan! It’s our ancestors who want the codebreakers punished. And the fact that you’re trying to stop me shows you’re a codebreaker.” He thrust his muzzle forward. “You should atone!”

  Violetshine’s eyes flash
ed with alarm. As she laid her tail protectively across Tree’s spine, Squirrelflight slid from the shadow beneath the Great Oak and looked up at Bramblestar.

  “This is a SkyClan affair,” she meowed evenly.

  Tigerstar’s ears pricked. “Like that ever matters to Bramblestar,” he growled. He’s always telling other Clans what to do.”

  Bramblestar bristled. “I’m doing this for the good of all the Clans! And if the other leaders won’t do what is necessary, it’s up to me to make sure StarClan’s laws are enforced!” He swung his gaze back to Tree. “You’ve been questioning our ways for too long. It’s time you proved you’re one of us, rather than a loner who lives off our prey.”

  Leafstar lashed her tail angrily. “I discipline SkyClan warriors, not you!” She glared at Bramblestar.

  Harrybrook looked at his leader questioningly. “But Bramblestar is right. Tree still prefers hunting for his own prey, even now. He never takes from the fresh-kill pile.”

  “He adds to it!” Violetshine snapped indignantly.

  Berrynose called from among the ThunderClan cats. “We’ve all heard him question our traditions.”

  Rootpaw’s heart began to pound as murmurs of agreement spread among the Clans. Surely the cats who’d been at the secret meeting would stand up for Tree. He was one of them! He looked hopefully at Bristlefrost. When she dropped her gaze, he looked at Stemleaf and then Spotfur. Stemleaf and Spotfur exchanged glances, then looked away. They weren’t going to defend him! Rootpaw shifted his paws uncomfortably. Was it because Tree had suggested that any cat who didn’t agree with Bramblestar should leave the Clans? Why did his father have to be so independent? Would he ever understand that loyalty was a warrior’s first duty?

  Bramblestar looked on with satisfaction as the murmurs spread. Then he fixed his gaze on Tree. “You must atone to show StarClan that you accept the warrior code.”

  “Atone!” Berrynose pushed his way through the ThunderClan cats and stared at Tree.

  Harrybrook turned on his Clanmate. “Atone!”

  “Atone!”

  Violetshine pressed herself to her mate. “Leave him alone! He’s done nothing to harm any cat.”

  “Are you a codebreaker too?” Bramblestar glared at her.

  Tree nosed her away. “Violetshine’s broken no code.”

  Rootpaw wanted to move closer to his father as the cry rose from the Clans, but fear rooted his paws to the earth. He didn’t want to be named a codebreaker too. He couldn’t risk being exiled. Who would protect Violetshine and Needlepaw? How could he protect his Clan, or help the ghost? He pressed against his mother and blinked apologetically at Tree. I’m sorry!

  Tree gazed back at him gently, as though he understood.

  Bramblestar lifted his voice above the yowls. “Tree must go into exile for three days to atone.”

  Leafstar’s hackles lifted. “No ThunderClan cat tells my warriors what to do!”

  Violetshine’s pelt was bristling with fear, but Tree gazed calmly at Bramblestar. “I’ll spend three days in exile.” He shrugged. “It won’t be hard. I was a loner for many moons. I might even enjoy the solitude, especially if it puts this matter to rest once and for all.”

  Bramblestar narrowed his eyes. “Atonement should allow you to think about your mistakes,” he told Tree. “Perhaps you’ll find more reflection in spending the time visiting each Clan and persuading their leaders to accept StarClan’s laws.”

  “We already accept them!” Leafstar snapped.

  “Not enough to enforce the warrior code and make your warriors atone.” Bramblestar turned his icy gaze on the SkyClan leader. “It seems that our warriors understand that atonement is the only way to bring StarClan back, but their leaders are dragging their paws. They clearly think they’re above StarClan. They don’t want to make their Clanmates atone.” His mew grew silky as he scanned the leaders beside him on the branch. “But Tree is supposed to be persuasive. You call him your mediator. Perhaps he can convince each of you that it’s in your Clan’s best interest to send your codebreakers into exile until they have earned StarClan’s forgiveness.”

  Tree’s ears flattened. “What if I refuse?”

  Bramblestar swung his muzzle toward the yellow tom. “The Clans have shown already that they don’t trust your loyalty. What will they think if you refuse to help them now?” His eyes darkened menacingly as he went on. “There might be unpleasant consequences, don’t you think? Not just for you, but for your kin.”

  At the edge of the clearing, the ghost got to its paws, its gaze shimmering anxiously in the moonlight. Rootpaw forced his fur to remain flat as a chill reached to his bones. Bramblestar was threatening him and Violetshine too. He glanced at Frecklewish, hoping for reassurance, but she looked as scared as he felt. Sneezecloud, Cloverfoot, Breezepelt, and Stemleaf seemed to shrink. None of the cats from the secret meeting seemed ready to stand up for him or Tree. Disappointment jabbed his heart. Had they been all talk? Was no cat going to act? He gazed desperately at Bristlefrost. She must understand how unfair this was. Tree had only tried to help the Clans, but the impostor was making him look like a traitor.

  Do something! he pleaded. She stared back at him helplessly. What could she do? What could either of them do when they were so outnumbered?

  “Hey!” Berrynose growled from among the ThunderClan cats. “Why’s Rootpaw staring at Bristlefrost?”

  Rootpaw froze as the gazes of the Clans jerked toward him.

  “They’ve been looking at each other since the Gathering began,” Yarrowleaf growled.

  “What are you up to?” Harrybrook glared suspiciously at Rootpaw.

  Rootpaw stared back wordlessly. Guilt spiked his belly as he remembered the meeting at the greenleaf Twolegplace. He dropped his gaze, frightened that he’d betray his secret.

  “Bristlefrost is one of Bramblestar’s most loyal warriors.” Berrynose’s gaze was sharp with accusation. “Perhaps he’s trying to turn her against our leader.”

  Bristlefrost whisked her tail. “No cat could turn me against my Clan,” she mewed. “Especially not an apprentice from another Clan.”

  Macgyver shrugged. “Rootpaw’s not trying anything of the sort. He’s always looking at Bristlefrost. He’s got a crush on her, remember?”

  The gazes of the Clan seemed to soften, but Rootpaw’s pelt began to burn.

  Bristlefrost’s shifted awkwardly. “If he’s got a crush on me, that’s his problem, not mine. He’s not my Clanmate.” Rootpaw tried not to flinch. Her words sliced through his heart as she went on. “I don’t care anything about him. Besides, I’d never break the code.”

  Berrynose frowned. “Then why have you been looking at him?”

  Rootpaw’s ears twitched as silence gripped the clearing. Berrynose seemed determined to see treachery in their looks. Rootpaw blinked at the ThunderClan warrior, pushing the hurt away. He needed to stop this now. No cat could know that they’d been at the meeting. “I still like her, okay? Is that against the code?”

  Berrynose stared at him for a moment, then shrugged. “So long as you don’t act on it.”

  “Of course I won’t.” Rootpaw fluffed out his fur. “It’s hopeless. I’d never break the code, nor would Bristlefrost. But it doesn’t stop me liking her. She’s the bravest, most loyal warrior I know.”

  Embarrassment squirmed in his belly as he heard indulgent mews ripple through the crowd. They think it’s cute. He glanced at Bristlefrost apologetically. It was the only way to protect her. As he looked away, his heart quickened. Was that fondness he’d seen in her gaze?

  Bramblestar lashed his tail. “Enough of this!” As the gathered cats turned back to the impostor, he glared at them impatiently. “We didn’t meet here to talk about apprentice crushes. We need to bring StarClan back, and the only way to do that is to stick to the code and exile any cat who breaks it.” He glared at the other leaders. “And if you can’t accept that now, I hope Tree will be able to change your minds.”

  Rootpaw glance
d up at the impostor. Did he really think Tree would try to persuade another cat to believe something he didn’t believe himself? Hope glimmered in his heart. The impostor was arrogant enough to think he could force any warrior to do anything. He might push the Clans too far. No matter how scared they were of losing StarClan, nothing could make a warrior abandon their honor.

  “Let’s go.” Tree’s mew nudged him from his thoughts. The crowd was melting away as the Clans headed for the long grass.

  While Leafstar led her Clanmates toward the tree-bridge, Frecklewish crossed the clearing and blocked Tree’s path. “What will you do?” she mewed.

  Tree stared at her solemnly as Rootpaw and Violetshine stopped beside him. “Bramblestar was right about me,” he told Frecklewish. “I’ve never truly believed in Clan life. I think it’s time I left and took my family with me.”

  Rootpaw fought back panic. They couldn’t leave. Not when the Clans were in so much trouble. Needlepaw wouldn’t want to leave either. She was as committed as he was to being a great warrior.

  The ghost hurried to Rootpaw’s side. “You can’t let him take you away!”

  Frecklewish dipped her head. “I understand how you feel, Tree. The impostor has made this a dangerous place to be.” She blinked at him. “Especially for you. But we need you.”

  “You can help the Clans.” Rootpaw blinked desperately at his father.

  Violetshine nodded. “We can’t just abandon cats we care about,” she mewed. “What about Twigbranch?”

  “Twigbranch has Finleap and her Clanmates,” Tree told her. “We have no choice. You heard Bramblestar. If I don’t do what he says, he’ll turn the Clans against us. We won’t be safe anywhere.”

  Rootpaw refused to believe his Clanmates would really turn against Tree. “No true warrior would hurt us.”

  Tree looked at him. “I think some of the Clans have forgotten what a true warrior is.”

  Frecklewish’s ears twitched. “There might be another way.”

  Tree frowned at her. “What?”

  “You can travel around the Clans and speak to the leaders, just as Bramblestar ordered,” the medicine cat told him. “But you don’t need to persuade them to follow his rules. You can warn them what’s really going on.”