The Silent Thaw

She looked up as Bramblestar called her from the Highledge. He beckoned her to join him. She felt the gazes of her Clanmates on her pelt as she climbed the rock tumble and followed him into his den. Squirrelflight wasn’t there, though her scent still lingered in the warm, dank air. Had she gone on patrol despite Bramblestar telling her she couldn’t?

Bramblestar sat down and dipped his head. “Did you check all the borders?”

“Yes.” Bristlefrost felt nervous. She hadn’t been alone with Bramblestar before. She shifted her paws self-consciously, hoping her pelt wasn’t too spiky from the rain. She wanted to shake it out, but she was scared of soaking Bramblestar. Raindrops dripped onto the sandy stone around her. “SkyClan renewed their marks quite recently, although it was hard to tell in the rain. But it seemed like—”

“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?”