The Silent Thaw

Chapter 23

Bristlefrost half closed her eyes and relished the warmth of the newleaf sun that washed the clearing. She was pretending to doze in a pool of sunshine beside the nursery, but she was really watching Finleap and Twigbranch struggle to uproot a thornbush at the edge of the camp. Bramblestar claimed that it would smother the warriors’ den if it was left to grow, but the whole Clan knew it had been there for moons and barely grew at all. This was a punishment. The ThunderClan leader had accused Finleap and Twigbranch of codebreaking after they’d forgotten to thank StarClan for their catch earlier in the day. Berrynose, ThunderClan’s new deputy, had been on patrol with them. He hadn’t warned them at the time, but he’d told Bramblestar about their misdemeanor as soon as they returned to camp.

Bristlefrost’s pelt prickled uncomfortably. Was I that eager to please when I was trying to help Bramblestar? She shuddered. I won’t ever tell on my Clanmates again.

In the days since he’d driven Squirrelflight from the camp, Bramblestar had been insisting his warriors pay closer and closer attention to the code, but he was continually announcing new interpretations of rules, to the point where no cat knew what was codebreaking and what wasn’t.

The ThunderClan leader was watching Finleap and Twigbranch from the Highledge. He lay there alone, his chin hanging over the edge of the stone while Finleap and Twigbranch dug deeper between the roots of the thorn tree. Their pelts were ruffled and specked with soil, and their paws were filthy as they tried once more to dislodge the stubborn bush.

Berrynose padded toward the exhausted warriors. “Get a move on,” he growled. “Bramblestar wants it dug up by dusk. What’s taking you so long?”

Bristlefrost saw the cream-colored tom glance up at Bramblestar. Was he hoping the ThunderClan leader would be impressed? Bramblestar stared straight through his new deputy, and Bristlefrost felt a shiver of satisfaction. The more Berrynose tried to please Bramblestar, the more Bramblestar seemed to despise him.

A fresh wave of dislike for the new ThunderClan deputy washed over Bristlefrost as Berrynose kicked loose earth back into the hole Finleap and Twigbranch had dug around the roots of the bush.

Finleap glared at him. “What did you do that for?”

“It was an accident,” Berrynose sniffed.

“Yeah, right.” Twigbranch narrowed her eyes at the ThunderClan deputy, clearly unconvinced.

Berrynose shrugged. “You shouldn’t pile the earth so close to the hole.”

Twigbranch bared her teeth, but Finleap nudged her back to work. “Just keep digging,” he murmured as Berrynose stalked away.

“Berrynose!” Bramblestar lifted his head.

Berrynose pricked his ears and scrambled eagerly up the rock tumble. He stopped in front of the ThunderClan leader. “Yes, Bramblestar? What can I do for you?”

Bramblestar eyed him coldly. “Why aren’t the hunting patrols back?” He nodded toward the fresh-kill pile, which was still only half-full.

“They haven’t been out for long,” Berrynose told him.

Bramblestar flattened his ears. “You should have sent them out earlier.”

“I’m a mouse-brain.” Berrynose dipped his head apologetically at his leader. “I’ll send them out earlier tomorrow.”

Bristlefrost growled to herself. Didn’t Berrynose have any pride?

Bristlefrost was relieved that Bramblestar had passed her duties to his new deputy. She didn’t want to give orders on behalf of an impostor. But she couldn’t help feeling that Berrynose didn’t care who patrolled or hunted; he just enjoyed bossing his Clanmates around.

Bramblestar got to his paws. “Go away,” he growled dismissively to Berrynose. He looked over the edge of the Highledge as his deputy slithered down the rock tumble. Bristlefrost tensed as the ThunderClan leader’s gaze flitted toward her and stopped. Her heart lurched as his eyes flashed with interest.

Since Squirrelflight had left the camp, she’d expected to be accused of being a traitor at any moment. If Bramblestar had sent a spy after Squirrelflight, he could have sent spies after any cat. She wouldn’t be surprised if he’d known about the secret meeting all along and was just leaving her dangling like prey while he decided how to punish her.

“Come and talk to me, Bristlefrost,” he mewed silkily from the Highledge.

She got to her paws, trying hard not to look at Twigbranch and Finleap. They’d been at the secret meeting, too, and she knew they’d be watching her and worrying about why Bramblestar wanted to talk. Her paws itched nervously. Perhaps the two warriors’ punishment had nothing to do with forgetting to thank StarClan. Perhaps Bramblestar knew about everything they’d been doing, and this was just the beginning of his reprisals. She swallowed back fear as she climbed the rock tumble, feeling queasy as Bramblestar pushed through the trailing stems that covered his den and beckoned her to follow with his tail.

She blinked, adjusting to the gloom as she followed him inside. She tried not to let her nose wrinkle. His den was stuffy and smelled of stale bedding.

Bramblestar sat down and stared at her from the shadows. “How do you like the new rules for the Clan?” He sounded cheery, and she tried to match his enthusiasm.

“They’re great.” She lifted her chin. “StarClan is bound to come back soon.”

“Indeed.” He leaned closer. “What do you think about making patrols walk in single file?”

“It’s a good idea,” she told him. “It’ll stop Clanmates chattering when they should be hunting or checking borders.”

Bramblestar looked pleased. “That’s what I thought.” He tipped his head thoughtfully to one side. “I wondered about making hunting patrols bring each piece of prey back to camp as soon as they catch it, instead of bringing back a whole day’s hunting in one go.”

“Wouldn’t that make hunting harder?” Bristlefrost ventured.

Bramblestar narrowed his eyes. “But I worry that, when warriors are out in the forest too long, they forget that Clan rules apply to them.”

Bristlefrost blinked at him eagerly. “In that case, it’s a wonderful idea.” Shame burrowed beneath her pelt. She was behaving like Berrynose. But what choice did she have? She didn’t want to be exiled. She shifted her paws. Exile might be better than groveling to this fox-heart. She pushed the thought away. “The Clans have let the warrior code slip for so long,” she mewed. “They need to be reminded of it at all times. It’s the only way to bring StarClan back.”

Bramblestar rested on his haunches. “I’m glad you see it that way,” he mewed warmly. “In fact, you seem to understand me more than any cat in the Clan.” His gaze lingered on her admiringly until she had to force back a shudder. He went on. “I appreciate your loyalty. You deserve more responsibility. I wish I could have made you deputy; it’s a shame you’re far too young. But I trust you, and I hope you realize that I rely on you to keep me informed about the Clan. You’re so observant, and you take your warrior duties very seriously.” He leaned closer. “Now that Squirrelflight has left, I value you as a confidante more than ever.”

Bristlefrost dug her claws into the earth to stop herself from recoiling. “Th-thank you.” She looked away, her pelt hot. “You’re being too kind.”

“Am I?” Bramblestar’s eyes glittered suddenly. “Am I really?”

She saw him stiffen. Had she said something wrong?

“I appreciate it,” she mewed quickly.

He seemed to relax again. “It’s strange.” As he paused, his gaze drifted past her. “I noticed you were out of camp a few nights before the Gathering. A night patrol, perhaps?” He didn’t wait for her to answer. “I’m sure you had your Clan’s best interests at heart. I don’t doubt your loyalty, because you know what I do to cats who aren’t loyal.” He narrowed his eyes.

Her mouth went dry as his gaze flicked back to her. That’s a threat. She stared at him wordlessly. Is he telling me he knows about the meeting? Or is he just warning me to be careful? “The warrior code is clear about loyalty,” she mewed fervently. “A true warrior is loyal to their Clan above all.” Her thoughts whirled. She had to warn Twigbranch and Finleap. And Rootpaw! Every cat who was at the meeting must know that Bramblestar suspected something. Her heart quickened. But how could she reach them when he was keeping such a close eye on her?

Bramblestar’s tail flicked. “Would you do me a favor?”

“Of course.” She pricked her ears.

“I want you to check on Squirrelflight,” he told her. “I’ve heard rumors that she’s still somewhere around the lake, but I don’t know where.” His whiskers quivered. “Do you think you could find out?” Bramblestar hesitated. “I want you to make sure she’s left Clan land.”

He looked distracted, his eyes glittering anxiously for a moment, and Bristlefrost wondered if he was actually worried about Squirrelflight. “I could try,” she mewed.

“Try?” His eyes widened.

“I’ll do it,” she promised. For the first time since the meeting, excitement fizzed in her paws. She might be able to speak to Rootpaw while she was tracking Squirrelflight. He’d spread the word. She tried to cover her enthusiasm. “When do you want me to leave?”

“How about now?” Bramblestar looked at her inquiringly, but she knew it was an order rather than a question.

She dipped her head. “I’ll leave straight away.” She hurried out of the den and scrambled down the rock tumble, sending stones clattering into the clearing.

Finleap looked up from his digging, and she met his gaze, hoping he saw the warning in it. He nudged Twigbranch, and they both watched her as she headed for the entrance. She quickened her pace as she ducked through it and broke into a run as soon as she was outside. Racing up the slope, she followed the route she’d escorted Squirrelflight along a few days earlier. The brambles they’d brushed past still smelled of their scent. Trees blurred around her as she charged through the forest, following the trail to the SkyClan border. That was where they’d left her. She’d told them she was heading toward the mountains, and they’d watched her pad sadly away before turning back to camp.

Bristlefrost pulled up as she reached the scent line and tasted the air. Did Bramblestar expect her to follow Squirrelflight’s scent onto another Clan’s land? She frowned. No. That would be breaking the warrior code. She gazed across the border to where the land sloped upward and boulders jutted from the forest floor. Her heart quickened as she saw pelts moving through the undergrowth. Opening her mouth, she let their scents bathe her tongue, excited to taste Rootpaw’s scent. She couldn’t help feeling that StarClan—wherever it had gone—was still on her side.

She stared eagerly over the border, willing his patrol to head this way. She felt a surge of relief when she saw them padding toward her.

Dewspring and Harrybrook were with the SkyClan apprentice, and she caught their eye, beckoning the patrol closer with a nod.

Dewspring narrowed his eyes as he approached her. “Is something wrong?”

“I wanted to talk to Rootpaw,” she told him.

Rootpaw stopped beside his mentor and frowned. “What about?”

“Something important.” Bristlefrost stared at him urgently.

Harrybrook growled. “I thought we’d made it clear at the Gathering that you’re from different Clans.”

“I know.” Bristlefrost blinked apologetically at the SkyClan warrior. “But I was so mean to him at the Gathering. I wanted to apologize.”

“He’ll live,” Dewspring sniffed.

Rootpaw looked at his mentor and shrugged. “It would be nice to hear a ThunderClan cat apologize to a SkyClan cat.”

Dewspring’s eyes flashed with amusement. “I guess,” he conceded. He exchanged glances with Harrybrook before looking back at Rootpaw. “Just make sure it’s a good apology. She’s embarrassed you a lot.”

Rootpaw crossed the border and nudged Bristlefrost away. “Has something happened?” he whispered when they were out of earshot.

“I think Bramblestar suspects I’m up to something. He noticed I was away from camp on the night of the meeting.”

Rootpaw’s pelt prickled along his spine. “Does he know about the meeting?”

“I’m not sure,” Bristlefrost told him. “He didn’t say anything definite.”

“We have to be careful.” Rootpaw glanced past her into the ThunderClan forest. “Did any cat follow you?”

Bristlefrost stared at him, alarmed. “I don’t think so.” She followed his gaze, relieved as she saw the forest behind her was clear. “I ran all the way here. I would have heard if some cat was following.”

“Why did Bramblestar let you out of camp by yourself if he suspects you?”

“He sent me to find Squirrelflight. He says he wants to make sure she’s left Clan territory, but I think he’s worried about her.” She paused, then wondered out loud. “It’s weird. Why would the impostor be worried about Squirrelflight?”

“Who knows why he does anything.” Rootpaw flicked his tail. “We don’t have time to wonder about that now.” He glanced back at his mentor. The gray tom was pacing impatiently. “Squirrelflight’s with ShadowClan. She’s safe there. ShadowClan knows everything. I think Shadowsight was right when he said his visions weren’t from StarClan. He’s going to meet with the other medicine cats and tell them about the impostor.”

“I hope he does it soon,” Bristlefrost told him. “It’s awful back at camp. Every cat’s scared and there are so many rules and punishments.” She stared at him desperately. “We have to do something.”

“We will.” Rootpaw touched his muzzle to her cheek.

She pressed against it for a moment, relieved to have a friend she could trust. “I’m going to talk to Squirrelflight,” she told him. “She needs to know what’s happening in ThunderClan. But I won’t tell Bramblestar where she is.”

Rootpaw dipped his head and turned back toward his Clanmates. “Stay strong,” he whispered. “It’ll all be okay.”

Bristlefrost blinked at him gratefully, hoping he was right, then hurried toward the ShadowClan border.

Her paws ached by the time she reached it. Afternoon sunshine filtered through the newly budding branches. She stared across the scent line eagerly.

“What are you doing here?” Yarrowleaf’s sharp mew took her by surprise. The ShadowClan she-cat slid from behind a bramble, Strikestone at her heels. The brown tabby tom turned his good ear towards her.

“I need to talk to Squirrelflight,” she mewed.

Strikestone’s eyes sparked with suspicion. “Go back to your Clan,” he growled.

Bristlefrost met his gaze. Of course ShadowClan wouldn’t admit to hiding Squirrelflight. Why would they trust me? They think I’m one of Bramblestar’s most loyal warriors. But this might be the only chance she had to get away from camp alone. Frustration welled in her chest. She had to speak to Squirrelflight. Perhaps another ShadowClan warrior would listen. She looked past the patrol, scanning the pine forest hopefully. Her heart leaped as she recognized Shadowsight’s gray tabby pelt moving across a slope in the distance. StarClan was definitely on her side. “Ask Shadowsight. He’ll vouch for me.” She raised her voice. “Shadowsight!”

Strikestone’s tail bushed angrily, but Shadowsight was already hurrying toward them.

“Bristlefrost?” The ShadowClan medicine cat looked surprised. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to speak to Squirrelflight.”

Shadowsight’s eyes widened. “How did you know she was here?”

“Rootpaw told me,” she mewed. “I know about Bramblestar’s ghost too, and I believe what you said about your visions.”

Shadowsight exchanged glances with his Clanmates, then beckoned Bristlefrost across the border with a flick of his tail. “Come with me.”

She hurried after him as he headed toward camp. Strikestone and Yarrowleaf trailed behind, their pelts rippling uneasily.

“I think Bramblestar knows that cats have been meeting in secret,” Bristlefrost whispered as she caught up to Shadowsight.

“Has he said anything?”

“Not yet. But he’s been using some of our Clanmates as spies.”

“Be careful,” Shadowsight warned.

“I will.” Bristlefrost forced her fur flat as Shadowsight led her to the ShadowClan camp.

As they hurried through the entrance tunnel, Squirrelflight leaped to her paws. The former deputy looked thin and anxious. She hurried toward Bristlefrost, her eyes glittering with worry. “What are you doing here? Has something happened to ThunderClan?”

“The Clan’s all right for now, but Bramblestar is getting worse,” Bristlefrost told her.

“He’s not Bramblestar,” Squirrelflight snapped. “He’s an impostor.”

“I know.” She held Squirrelflight’s gaze. “But there’s nothing we can do. Every cat is so scared that they hardly dare speak to one another.”

Squirrelflight’s gaze darkened. “ShadowClan is going to support us,” she told Bristlefrost. “And once Shadowsight has told the other medicine cats what’s going on, the other Clans must support us. We can’t let this impostor turn the Clans against one another.”

Bristlefrost blinked at her. “Hasn’t he already done that?”

“It’s not too late,” Squirrelflight told her. “We can stop this before it becomes a war. But Bramblestar can’t know where I am. If he finds out that ShadowClan has been sheltering me, he’ll declare war, and we’re not ready to fight.”

Bristlefrost nodded. “I won’t tell him,” she promised. Her pads felt hot. What would she tell him? He wouldn’t be pleased to hear she’d failed to find out where Squirrelflight had gone, but she couldn’t tell him the truth. Perhaps a half-truth would convince him.

Squirrelflight held her gaze, her eyes as dark as the night sky. “Make sure he doesn’t find out.”

“Did you find her?” Bramblestar hurried across the clearing to meet Bristlefrost as she padded into camp.

“Yes.” She’d rolled in comfrey on the way back from the ShadowClan camp to disguise any scents he might detect on her pelt. “I found her in the Twolegplace.”

“Did you speak to her?” Bramblestar’s eyes were bright with interest.

“Yes.” At least that was true.

“What did she say?”

“She doesn’t know where she’s going next, but she says she’s never coming back here. She’s angry. She’s washed the Clans from her pelt for good.”

“She was always hotheaded.” Bramblestar’s tail twitched. “But I didn’t think she’d go to the Twolegplace.”

Bristlefrost shrugged, trying to look casual. “She said she was just passing through.”

Bramblestar’s gaze narrowed. “I hope you’re telling me the truth.” A growl rumbled in his throat.

Bristlefrost’s heart raced. “I wouldn’t lie to you,” she mewed quickly.

“You shouldn’t.” There was menace in his mew. “Because I’m sure you can imagine what I’d do to you if you did.”

Bristlefrost’s breath caught in her throat. Bramblestar stared at her, his gaze unwavering until a chill crept beneath her pelt. Does he know I’m working against him? She felt sick. Perhaps some cat had followed her after all. She wanted to scan the camp to see if Berrynose or Bumblestripe was there. But she didn’t dare take her eyes from Bramblestar. It was like watching a snake preparing to strike.

At last he turned away and padded to the shade beneath the Highledge.

Bristlefrost tried to stop herself from trembling. Am I safe in ThunderClan anymore?