Veil Of Shadows

Rootspring sighed deeply. How could he say no when Shadowsight seemed to have such confidence in him? “I’ll try,” he meowed softly. He closed his eyes and concentrated on reaching out to Bramblestar with his mind. For a single heartbeat he felt something like a rushing wind, and his fur prickled as if he had been struck by lightning. He opened his eyes to see a soft glow lighting up the den, but it flickered out almost at once like a small flame in a breeze. Rootspring let out a long, disappointed sigh. “I’m sorry,” he murmured.

“Don’t be,” Tree meowed. “You definitely connected with something there. I could feel it.” Turning to Leafstar, he asked, “How much more proof do you need? Shadowsight and Rootspring are not liars. If they say that some spirit has taken over Bramblestar’s body, and that the impostor tried to kill Shadowsight—well, that’s what is true. No question.”

Leafstar was silent for a few heartbeats, looking as if she didn’t know what to believe. “Shadowsight has just woken up,” she pointed out at last. “He’s been seriously wounded, and what he’s said sounds . . . well, unbelievable.” She glanced at Tigerstar. “I’m not calling him a liar, but what if what he’s describing is a fever dream, not something he actually experienced? I can’t spread wild rumors about another Clan’s leader when they might be the result of a bad infection.”

To Rootspring’s surprise, Tigerstar shook his head. “I know how it sounds,” he responded. “But look at him—his eyes are clear, and he knows the difference between a dream and reality. Rootspring has convinced me. And I don’t think that you really believe Shadowsight was dreaming, either.”

“It doesn’t matter what I believe,” Leafstar retorted. “What matters is, I don’t want to depose another Clan’s leader based on nothing more than a flash of light and a puff of wind. But that doesn’t mean we should do nothing,” she continued, as Tigerstar opened his jaws to protest. “I know what’s at stake. We’re not just talking about Bramblestar. We’re talking about the fate of our Clans as well.”

Tigerstar nodded and sat back on his haunches, apparently satisfied that the SkyClan leader understood the gravity of their situation. Leafstar continued, “I want to work through ThunderClan’s warriors. Frecklewish told me there’s a secret meeting tonight, and several of them will be there, as well as their medicine cats. Together we’ll decide what to do about Bramblestar.”

Tigerstar gave a reluctant nod. “All the same,” he growled, “I’m going to prepare my warriors for battle. If I’m right, the moment we confront Bramblestar—or the impostor—with what we know, it’s going to lead to fighting. He still has warriors loyal to him, and they’ll protect him at all costs.”

Dovewing looked up at him, concern clouding her eyes. “Surely it won’t come to that?” she asked.

“I hope not,” Tigerstar responded grimly. “But if it does, we need to be ready.”

As Tigerstar finished speaking, Fidgetflake stepped forward and set a dandelion leaf down in front of Shadowsight. “Eat that,” he meowed. “It will help you sleep and bring your fever down. As for you,” he added with a glance at Leafstar, Tree, and Rootspring, “it’s time you left. Shadowsight has already tried his strength too far. He needs to rest now.”

At once Leafstar dipped her head to Fidgetflake and slipped out of the den. Tree curled his tail around Rootspring’s shoulders. “Let’s go.”

Rootspring glanced back over his shoulder as they left, to see Shadowsight lapping up the herb while Tigerstar and Dovewing settled down at his side. Relief swept over him. At least Shadowsight is going to be okay.

Tree padded off to find Violetshine, but before Rootspring could join Needleclaw by the fresh-kill pile, he found himself surrounded by some of his Clanmates.

“That was awesome!” Turtlecrawl exclaimed. “Do you think Shadowsight’s spirit really did go to ThunderClan?”

“Have you been eavesdropping?” Rootspring demanded. “It’s a good thing Leafstar didn’t catch you at it!”

Turtlecrawl just shrugged. “Who cares? Anyway, Leafstar is wrong. We need to do something!”

“Yeah, we believe you and Shadowsight,” Kitescratch asserted. “We think we should go to ThunderClan tonight and get some proof about Bramblestar!”

Turtlecrawl and the others—Gravelnose and Pigeonfoot—let out yowls of agreement.

“What about it, Rootspring?” Kitescratch asked. “Are you with us?”

Rootspring looked around at their eager faces and gleaming eyes. Part of him wanted to agree, if only to prove that he wasn’t a coward, but the more sensible part of his mind told him what a bad idea it was.

“I’m not going anywhere tonight,” he meowed. “Have you forgotten? I’ve just been made a warrior. I have to sit vigil. And you shouldn’t go either,” he added. “What do you think you could do, against the whole of ThunderClan?”

His friends exchanged sheepish glances, their excitement dying away. Rootspring hoped he’d said enough to discourage them.