Dovewing’s Silence

Bramblestar let his gaze travel around the hollow, ending up on the four cats who were apart from the rest, clearing trampled brambles from one side of the entrance. “Very well, Blackstar,” he meowed. “Perhaps it’s right that we should agree on a course of action together. Shall we meet on the island tomorrow night?”

Blackstar nodded. “I’ll send word to RiverClan and WindClan, if you’ll permit my warriors to travel along your lakeshore.”

“Of course,” mewed Bramblestar. He stood up and padded beside the ancient white cat as he started to leave. “Thank you for coming, Blackstar. Get some rest before we meet on the island.”

Blackstar just grunted. Rowanclaw dipped his head to Bramblestar and guided his leader through the remains of the barrier, then ushered him into the trees.

Dovewing’s fur had risen along her spine, and Bumblestripe smoothed it down with his muzzle. “Calm down,” he mewed. “You’re not in trouble!”

“But Ivypool could be!” Dovewing snapped. “And my father! These cats can’t be punished for believing the lies that the Dark Forest warriors told them!”

Bumblestripe started to unravel the ivy knot once more. “We can’t forget what happened, Dovewing. Perhaps they need some sort of punishment just to make sure they understand that what they did was wrong.”

“Blossomfall is your sister,” Dovewing mewed softly. “Do you really think she’d do anything to betray her Clan?”

The gray tom didn’t look up from the strand of ivy. “Training in the Dark Forest was never part of the warrior code,” he muttered.

“Nor was dead cats coming back to life to attack us!” Dovewing reached out with one front paw and rested it on Bumblestripe’s shoulder. “Our Clanmates made a terrible decision, but when it mattered, they were loyal to us, and us alone.”

Bumblestripe finally looked at her, his eyes troubled. “You really believe that.”

Dovewing nodded. “Ivypool is my littermate, just as Blossomfall is yours. I would trust my sister with my life. Don’t you feel the same way?

There was a pause, then Bumblestripe nodded. “Thanks, Dovewing,” he whispered.

Before Dovewing could say anything else, Bramblestar spoke just behind her.

“Dovewing, may I speak with you?”

Dovewing nearly jumped into the air. How had she missed him walking up to her?

“I’d like you to come with me to meet the other leaders,” Bramblestar meowed. “Jayfeather will be with me, of course, and the cats who were trained by the Dark Forest, but I think you and Lionblaze should be present as well. You both know more about what the Dark Forest planned than many of us.” He blinked. “Because of the prophecy, right?”

Dovewing nodded mutely.

“Good.” Bramblestar turned away. “We’ll leave at dusk tomorrow. Make sure you get some rest during the day.”

Dovewing didn’t go back to helping Bumblestripe at once. Instead she stood very still, listening to the whispers around her. The rest of ThunderClan seemed excited at the prospect of choosing a punishment for the traitors among them. Dovewing felt a wave of impatience at their stupidity. Can’t you see that these are loyal warriors who made one mistake? Are you all so perfect yourselves?

Then she tilted her head and tried to pick up what was being said in ShadowClan. Were those cats equally thrilled? But all she heard was the rustle of branches as Bumblestripe and Cinderheart worked beside her, and a burst of squealing from the elders’ den as one of the kits stepped on a thorn. When she tried to picture the neighboring camp, her mind was clouded and fuzzy, as if it were filled with mist. Dovewing felt a cold trickle of fear seep into her fur. Why can’t I hear and see like I used to? Has something happened to me?

She looked at Ivypool, who was salvaging clean moss from a bundle that had been dragged out of the nursery. Her sister had more than enough to worry about without Dovewing adding her concerns about her senses. Jayfeather was too busy with Foxleap and the other wounded cats, and Lionblaze was constantly out on patrol. Dovewing recalled his broken claw during the burial, and winced. She could no longer hear, and Lionblaze was able to suffer injuries.

Has something happened to all our powers?

Chapter 4