The Silent Thaw

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? ShadowClan 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