Veil Of Shadows

“But what about Bramblestar?” Rootpaw asked, dismayed by his leader’s decision. “We can’t just abandon him.”

Tree gave his son an approving nod. “Leafstar, you have to realize that this . . . creature, whatever it is, inside Bramblestar’s body, is going to destroy us all, sooner or later.”

“Yes.” Frecklewish’s voice was harsh, quite different from her usual gentle demeanor. “He has already caused chaos in ShadowClan, and made two other Clans exile a deputy and a medicine cat. Where will it all end?”

“I understand what you’re saying,” Leafstar responded. “And I don’t mean to do nothing. We will watch and wait. It’s a terrible thing that I have to say, but I would rather sacrifice Bramblestar than SkyClan. No, Rootpaw,” she continued, as the apprentice opened his jaws to object again. “For now, we will carry on as we have.”

Rootpaw trailed a little way behind as he and his Clanmates set out for their own territory. He couldn’t help thinking that Leafstar was making a terrible mistake.

If only I could explain exactly what I saw in the pool, he thought sadly, his gaze fixed on his paws. Or if Tree hadn’t ended the song just at that moment! Why does everything have to go wrong?

His Clanmates were walking in near silence, and Rootpaw started in surprise at the sound of Leafstar’s voice. He looked up to see Leafstar padding beside him, her amber gaze sympathetic.

“Try not to worry too much, Rootpaw,” she mewed, her tone reassuring. “All is not lost—not yet. We’ll see what happens, and when we’re ready, we’ll act.”

Rootpaw nodded, though he guessed Leafstar could see he was finding her promises hard to accept.

“Frecklewish and Fidgetflake have praised how hard you’ve been working,” his Clan leader went on. “But they also say you don’t seem that enthusiastic about being a medicine cat.” Leafstar halted and looked deeply into Rootpaw’s eyes. “It’s up to you, Rootpaw. Honestly, now, if you listen to your heart, do you really want your paws to follow the path of a medicine cat?”

Rootpaw thought about the tasks he had carried out in the medicine-cat den. He had felt pride in mastering something new, but none of the joy he experienced in making a good catch on a hunting patrol or sniffing the fresh dawn air in the forest as he set out to patrol the border. And a deep pang of loss pierced him at the thought of never having a mate and kits. He let out a deep sigh. “No, I don’t,” he admitted.

He had half expected that Leafstar would be angry, but instead she nodded in understanding. “I’m proud of you for considering so seriously where you belong,” she told him. “Consider yourself a warrior apprentice again—but not for long. Tomorrow I’ll talk to Dewspring about your warrior assessment.”

For the rest of the way back to SkyClan territory, Rootpaw felt that his paws were carrying him on the wind.

Chapter 9

Bristlefrost arched her back in a good long stretch, while her jaws parted in a massive yawn. She felt chilly and stiff, her pelt still damp from rain that had fallen during the night. Above her head, she could just make out the trees at the top of the hollow, their tracery of branches outlined against a sky paling toward dawn.

“Thank StarClan it’s morning!” she exclaimed to Rosepetal, who was sitting on the opposite side of the camp entrance.

Rosepetal nodded and raised one paw to lick it and scrub it over her face. “Now that Bramblestar has doubled the guards, we’ll all be keeping watch twice as often,” she complained. “He says he wants to keep the camp safe, but we were perfectly fine before.”

“True.” Bristlefrost blinked in an attempt to keep herself awake. “I can’t wait until I can go for a nice piece of prey and a nap.”

Rosepetal licked her paw again and gave her ears a wash. “I’m so looking forward to that!” she sighed. Then she glanced at Bristlefrost nervously. “I’m sure Bramblestar has a good reason for adding guards, though,” she added.

Bristlefrost sighed. I wish every cat didn’t think I was going to run off to Bramblestar to report everything they say.

Slow, uncertain paw steps sounded in the thorn tunnel, and both she-cats straightened up anxiously as Bramblestar appeared at the entrance. Bristlefrost remembered seeing him leave the camp just after sunset. Where has he been all night?

The false Clan leader appeared not to notice the two guards as he dragged himself into the camp. His head was hanging low, and his tail brushed the ground as if he was very tired. Bristlefrost noticed too how much weight he’d put on.