Veil Of Shadows

Though she looked forward to getting out of the rain, Bristlefrost needed to take one last breath of fresh air before she could force herself into the stench of the den. She stepped inside warily, trying not to let her nose wrinkle at the stink of stale prey and soiled bedding. Dipping her head respectfully, she padded forward to within a tail-length of where Bramblestar sprawled in his nest.

“I’ve been in the Twolegplace, searching for Squirrelflight,” he told her. “But I haven’t caught the least hint of her scent. I was there all night, but it was no use. I don’t have the faintest idea where she is.”

Apprehension began to gnaw at Bristlefrost’s belly. “Why are you looking for her?” she asked. “Squirrelflight left Clan territory, just as you ordered. Surely you don’t think she deserves more punishment?”

Bramblestar shook his head sadly. “To tell the truth . . . I expected Squirrelflight to come home and ask to be taken back into ThunderClan,” he admitted. “But she hasn’t. I must have really angered her,” he continued, gazing up at the den wall as if he could see his former deputy standing there. “I know she must still love me, deep down. If I could only talk to her again . . .” His voice choked and he closed his eyes, resting his nose on his paws.

Bristlefrost was growing steadily more alarmed. An irrational Clan leader, sending Clan members into exile for supposedly breaking the warrior code, was one thing. But this befuddled creature, driveling on about how much Squirrelflight must love him, was far worse.

He couldn’t lead a kit out of the nursery, much less a whole Clan!

While Bristlefrost was wondering what she could possibly say, Bramblestar’s head snapped up again.

“I have a new task for you,” he rasped. “You have to search for Squirrelflight. You must find her. And when you do, you must tell her that her exile is revoked. You must get her to come back to ThunderClan.”

“But what will the rest of the Clan think about that?” Bristlefrost asked. “You exiled all the codebreakers. How can you let just one come back? Wouldn’t that encourage other cats to start doubting your leadership?”

“Oh, Bristlefrost . . .” Bramblestar blinked at her with a look of amused affection that made her feel cold right down to her claw-tips. “When you’re older and more experienced, you’ll realize that there is such a thing as forgiveness, even from StarClan. I’m their representative in the Clan, now that the medicine cats can’t speak to them, and I’ve decided that Squirrelflight can be forgiven, if she changes her ways. Squirrelflight is . . . special.”

“Then I’ll go and look for her right away,” Bristlefrost mewed, not knowing what else she could say. What will he do if I don’t come back with Squirrelflight? she wondered nervously. But maybe Squirrelflight would agree to come back. That would be so wonderful! If she did, Bristlefrost wouldn’t have to carry this burden of pretending to agree with Bramblestar alone any longer. And if the impostor made Squirrelflight deputy again, she might be able to influence his behavior and protect their Clan. Bristlefrost dipped her head and backed out of the den, her belly trembling with relief once she was away from the impostor’s baleful eyes.

Down on the floor of the camp, her Clanmates were huddling into groups, clearly discussing Bramblestar’s latest edict. Near the medicine cats’ den, Flipclaw seemed to be arguing with Alderheart. As she passed the groups of whispering cats, they fell silent, watching her warily.

Bristlefrost didn’t wait to speak with any cat, only bounded across the camp and straight out into the forest. To begin with, she headed in the direction of the Twolegplace, in case any cat might be watching her, or—a horrific thought—Bramblestar himself decided to follow her. Once she was sure she was alone, she veered along the top border of SkyClan territory, then crossed into ShadowClan and made for the exiles’ camp.

As Bristlefrost approached the camp entrance, Squirrelflight appeared out of a bank of ferns, followed by Twigbranch and Dovewing. All of them were carrying prey; it had been a successful hunt.

“Squirrelflight, I have to talk to you!” Bristlefrost called out, bounding toward her.

Squirrelflight’s eyes widened in surprise. “Okay, come into camp,” she mumbled around the vole in her jaws.

Bristlefrost followed the hunting patrol through the fern tunnel and waited while Squirrelflight deposited her prey on the fresh-kill pile.

“Would you like to eat with us?” Squirrelflight asked.

Bristlefrost shook her head; her belly was roiling, and she felt that she couldn’t have swallowed a single mouthful.