The Silent Thaw

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 flashed 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.