The Silent Thaw

Rootpaw’s chest tightened. Was a ThunderClan cat really suggesting the Clans turn on his leader?

“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?