Tigerstar padded to his side. “I believe him,” he mewed. “Some cat wants to hurt the Clans, and they’ve used Shadowsight to reach us. It’s too dangerous for any of us to be away from our Clanmates. Until we find out what’s happening, we need to stick together.”
Dovewing glanced back at the pile of Twoleg trash where she’d been sheltering. She flicked her tail decisively. “In that case, we’d better go home.”
Shadowsight took a long, deep breath. Dovewing was safe. Once they were home, they could figure out what was going on and come up with a plan to deal with it. As Tigerstar and Dovewing began to pick their way across the grimy meadow, he slid between them. With or without StarClan, they’d always be with him. He shivered as foreboding pricked his pelt. Unless it was too late, and the visions he’d shared with the Clans were already enough to destroy them.
Chapter 19
Rootpaw eagerly scanned the island clearing. A bright full moon shone in the crow-black sky. The other Clans had already arrived and were moving like ripples on the lake, their pelts glossy in the moonlight as they dipped their heads in greeting and shared gossip. He saw Squirrelflight standing beside Crowfeather and Cloverfoot. Had the ThunderClan deputy managed to speak to the leaders of the other Clans and warn them that Bramblestar was an impostor? He searched Crowfeather’s gaze. Did the WindClan deputy know? Frustration prickled beneath Rootpaw’s pelt. It was impossible to tell. He’d have to wait until the meeting began to see if they would challenge Bramblestar.
Tree and Violetshine pushed their way among the gathered cats while Leafstar and Hawkwing headed for the Great Oak. Bramblestar’s ghost skirted the clearing, heading toward the far side, its gaze fixed on the false Bramblestar as the ThunderClan leader leaped into the Oak. The ghost had shadowed the SkyClan patrol as they’d traveled to the island. Rootpaw was relieved it was keeping its distance, finally understanding that Rootpaw couldn’t acknowledge it when he was with his Clanmates.
Frecklewish’s pelt brushed Rootpaw’s. “We need to speak with Shadowsight.”
Rootpaw nodded. He hadn’t forgotten his promise at the secret meeting. He and Frecklewish were going to ask Shadowsight about his visions. Did the ShadowClan medicine cat have any idea that Bramblestar was an impostor? He kept close to Frecklewish as she nosed her way between the gathered warriors to where Shadowsight stood, close to Tigerstar.
“Hi, Frecklewish.” Alderheart greeted her warmly before they reached him.
Frecklewish slowed. “Hey, Alderheart.”
Rootpaw could tell she was trying to keep her mew light, but her gaze was flashing anxiously toward the young ShadowClan medicine cat.
“How’s SkyClan?” Alderheart asked. “Any sickness?”
“Not at the moment.” Frecklewish dipped her head politely and tried to move on.
Alderheart was clearly eager to chat. “Has marigold started sprouting in your territory?” he mewed.
“Not yet,” Frecklewish told him.
“There’re signs of some in the beech grove,” Alderheart told her. “But it’ll be another moon before we can pick it.”
“Hurry,” Rootpaw whispered in Frecklewish’s ear. “It looks like the Gathering’s about to start.” Bramblestar was staring expectantly from the lowest branch of the oak.
Frecklewish dipped her head again to Alderheart. “I just need to speak with Shadowsight before the meeting starts.”
“Really?” Alderheart looked puzzled. “Is there anything I should—”
Frecklewish hurried away before he could finish. Rootpaw glanced at the ThunderClan medicine cat apologetically as he followed his Clanmate.
Frecklewish and Rootpaw both nodded a greeting as they stopped beside Shadowsight, but the ShadowClan medicine cat seemed on edge, his gaze glittering in the moonlight. “Hi,” he said, barely meeting Frecklewish’s gaze.
“I wanted to speak to you,” Frecklewish told him. She glanced at Tigerstar. “In private.”
Tigerstar moved closer to his kit. “The meeting is about to start,” he meowed formally. “Perhaps you could speak to him afterward.”
As Shadowsight flashed his father a look, Rootpaw narrowed his eyes. Why was Tigerstar being so protective?
“I really need to speak to him now.” Frecklewish stared intently at Shadowsight.
“Maybe later.” Shadowsight dropped his gaze, shifting his paws self-consciously.
“Frecklewish!” Alderheart had followed them through the crowd. “What’s so important?” He looked anxiously from Frecklewish to Shadowsight. “Do you have news?”
“Nothing important.” Frecklewish’s pelt prickled, and Rootpaw could sense her frustration as Leafstar leaped into the oak. Mistystar and Harestar were hurrying to take their places. Tigerstar hesitated beside Shadowsight, clearly unwilling to leave him.
Frecklewish nodded to Rootpaw. “You’d better join your Clanmates,” she told him. “It looks like the Gathering’s about to start.”
Reluctantly, Rootpaw turned away and headed through the crowd. Glancing back, he saw Frecklewish take her place beneath the oak as Alderheart, Jayfeather, Mothwing, and Willowshine settled beside her. Only after Kestrelflight had settled down beside the SkyClan medicine cat, with Shadowsight and Puddleshine on his other side, did Tigerstar scramble up the trunk of the Great Oak.
Slipping between the Clans, Rootpaw noticed warriors glancing warily at one another. They seemed nervous. He could smell fear-scent in the air. Pelts prickled around him, and he was relieved to reach his Clanmates and settle next to Tree.
“What do you think will happen when the other leaders accuse Bramblestar of being an impostor?” he whispered to his father.
Tree glanced around at the gathered cats. “I don’t think it’d be wise of any cat to accuse him of anything yet,” he murmured.
“Why not?” Rootpaw blinked at him.
“While StarClan stays silent, Bramblestar can accuse any cat of codebreaking.”
Rootpaw frowned. “But why would any cat listen to an impostor?”
“Not every cat will believe that he is,” Tree murmured, moving closer. “Especially if he seems to speak for StarClan. Now watch and listen.”
In the Great Oak, Harestar and Mistystar hung back on the wide branch while Bramblestar stood at the front. Tigerstar was eyeing Bramblestar uneasily. Had Squirrelflight warned him? Rootpaw had seen her arrive at his own camp a few days ago, but Leafstar still hadn’t told the Clan why she’d come. Rootpaw’s tail twitched expectantly. Perhaps Leafstar was waiting until she could accuse Bramblestar directly.
The impostor swished his tail, glaring severely at the Clans until silence swept the clearing. “Last time we met,” he began, “no Clan would say how the codebreakers should be punished. I hope you have all decided now.”
“Exile!” Emberfoot called from WindClan.
Hootwhisker swished his tail eagerly. “The codebreakers must leave their Clans and atone before they can return.”
Bramblestar’s eyes glowed with satisfaction. “I’m glad some of you have begun to see sense. Atonement is the only way we’ll end StarClan’s silence, and exile is the best way for codebreakers to atone.”
Hootwhisker stared pointedly at Crowfeather. “Some of the codebreakers have refused,” he growled.
Rootpaw’s heart quickened. Had the WindClan deputy refused because Squirrelflight had managed to warn him and Harestar? Were they going to stand up to the ThunderClan leader?
Crowfeather’s hackles lifted. “Until I hear from StarClan, I’m not going anywhere.”
Bramblestar narrowed his eyes. “We’ve heard from StarClan. They say that the Clans will suffer until the codebreakers atone.”
Crowfeather scowled. “Why should we believe you?”