Veil Of Shadows

Chapter 14

Gusts of wind swept across the SkyClan camp, carrying a spatter of rain and ruffling Rootpaw’s pelt. He ignored the chilly drops as he stood with his head held high, staring at the group of SkyClan cats around him. His parents, Violetshine and Tree, were standing nearby; he felt warmed as he met their proud gaze. Dewspring was there, too, and Rootpaw’s sister, Needleclaw, had pattered up, so close that their pelts were brushing.

A little farther away, Frecklewish and several of the SkyClan warriors were joining the circle. Even Tigerstar had appeared, peering out of the medicine cats’ den where he and Dovewing were visiting Shadowsight. He was shifting from paw to paw, showing Rootpaw how anxious he was to get back inside, where his son still lay unconscious. It would be dangerous to move Shadowsight, Rootpaw knew, so he would remain in the SkyClan den until he woke, or until . . .

No, Rootpaw told himself firmly. I won’t think about that.

Tigerstar was present now out of respect, but his mind was clearly elsewhere, his head turning as if he was compelled to look back toward his son. Rootpaw couldn’t blame him. No cat seems to be fully present. . . . How could they be?

Leafstar, who had been sitting on the Tallstump as her Clan assembled, leaped lightly down and padded into the center of the circle. “We are here for one of the most important moments in the life of a Clan,” she announced. “The making of a new warrior.”

“This is weird,” Rootpaw whispered to Needleclaw. “I haven’t even had my warrior assessment.”

“You’ve done better than that,” his sister whispered back. “Now shut up and listen.”

“Rootpaw saved Shadowsight,” Leafstar continued, “the young medicine cat who had been missing for some time. And in doing that, he created a strong bond between SkyClan and ShadowClan. While we’ve had conflicts in the past, Rootpaw has given us a way to heal those divisions. He demonstrated bravery, strength, and clearheadedness in a time of great peril. Not only that, he showed wisdom in seeking help when he needed it. Because of this, I don’t think it’s necessary to give him a formal assessment. His actions speak for themselves. Does any cat object?”

Flooded with embarrassment at his leader’s praise, Rootpaw was staring at his paws. Now his pelt prickled with apprehension as he wondered if any of his Clanmates would protest.

But the only cat who spoke was his mentor, Dewspring. “Just get on with it, Leafstar,” he said, amused.

Rootpaw looked up to see Leafstar beckoning to him with her tail. He padded out into the circle to stand in front of her. His heart was pounding as he waited for the words that would make him a warrior.

“I, Leafstar, leader of SkyClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice,” the Clan leader began. “He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in his turn.” Bending her head to gaze at Rootpaw, she continued, “Rootpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life?”

Rootpaw knew what a heavy commitment he was making—even heavier, in this confused time of accusations of codebreaking. “I do,” he responded firmly.

“Then by the powers of StarClan,” Leafstar announced, “I give you your warrior name. Rootpaw, from this moment you will be known as Rootspring. StarClan honors your strength and resilience, and we welcome you as a full warrior of SkyClan.”

Leafstar stepped forward and bent to rest her muzzle on the top of Rootspring’s head. In response Rootspring licked her shoulder, then stepped back.

“Rootspring! Rootspring!” the cats of SkyClan acclaimed him.

Warm pride swept through Rootspring as he listened to his Clanmates’ congratulations, and his chest swelled even more as he caught a nod of approval from the deputy, Hawkwing, and several of the senior warriors.

As he waited for the clamor to die down, Rootspring tried out his new name in his mind. He was a warrior at last. For so long, he had worried that his ability to see ghosts would separate him from his Clan. He’d been embarrassed by his difference from other warriors. But that difference had let him save Shadowsight, and had made him a warrior.

Rootspring accepted that he did see spirits, and he wanted to believe that what Leafstar had said was true: that his own spirit was strong and resilient. He wasn’t sure; he wished he felt that strong inside, but the whole episode with Shadowsight had shaken him. He hadn’t told any cat about the ghostly presence that had led him to Shadowsight’s body. That cat was still hanging around the camp; Rootspring had seen him several times.

What is he doing here? Rootspring asked himself. Is he waiting for Shadowsight to die? Then he shook his head. No! I won’t believe that. Shadowsight has to survive.

By now the circle of cats was breaking up into smaller groups, some of them heading for their dens or the fresh-kill pile, while others left the camp on patrol.

Needleclaw gave Rootspring a nudge. “Come on, I’ll find you a big, juicy piece of prey,” she urged him. “You deserve it.”

Rootspring was tempted, water flooding his jaws at the thought of a fat vole or a squirrel. But he shook his head. “I’ll join you later,” he responded. “There’s something I want to do first.”

“Okay.” Needleclaw flicked his ear with her tail. “I’ll save you something tasty.”

As she bounded off toward the fresh-kill pile, Rootspring saw that Leafstar and Tree were heading for the medicine cats’ den, where they joined Tigerstar. As all three cats vanished inside, Rootspring followed them.

Inside the den Fidgetflake was sorting herbs for Shadowsight, while Dovewing was crouched beside her son, cleaning his damp fur with long strokes of her tongue. “Come back to us,” she whispered lovingly into his ear. “We all need you.”

When Rootspring entered with the other cats, Dovewing looked up, warm welcome flooding into her eyes. “It’s good to see you again, Rootpaw,” she mewed.

“It’s Rootspring now,” Leafstar corrected her gently.

Dovewing let out a gasp. “I’m so sorry!” she exclaimed. “I’d forgotten that your warrior ceremony was today. Congratulations, Rootspring.”

Rootspring dipped his head humbly. “Thank you.”

Meanwhile, Tigerstar had approached Fidgetflake. “Has there been any change?” he asked, his voice taut with anxiety.

“His wounds are clean now,” Fidgetflake replied, “and they seem to be improving. That’s good.” In spite of his encouraging words, his face was somber as he glanced across at Shadowsight, and he shook his head a little. “I can’t tell you when he’ll wake. You’ll have to be patient and wait.”

Rootspring found himself a spot to sit close to Shadowsight’s head, relieved that every cat was too worried about the young medicine cat to ask him any more questions. He understood their fear, but he knew he would have a hard time explaining how he’d found Shadowsight.

I’d just make myself sound mouse-brained. At this point, they would have no trouble believing that a dead cat helped him find Shadowsight, but they would definitely question the wisdom of following a cat he didn’t even know without telling anyone where he was going. Rootspring suppressed a snort. Probably not the smartest thing I’ve ever done.

A few heartbeats later he was distracted from his thoughts when he saw Shadowsight’s ears twitch. Then he stirred, and his eyes slowly eased open.

“Look!” Dovewing exclaimed, the worry in her eyes giving way to joy. “He’s waking up!”

Tigerstar bent over his son; he said nothing, but he was purring so hard Rootspring thought his chest might burst open.

At first, Shadowsight looked dazed, peering from Rootspring to his parents and back again, his eyes clouded with confusion. “Have I returned?” he asked, his voice hoarse with disuse. “Am I really back?”

Rootspring wasn’t sure what his friend meant by that. “Back?” he echoed. “You’ve been here the whole time, ever since I found you.”

Shadowsight shook his head feebly, struggling to get to his paws but finding his legs unable to support his weight. He sank back into the nest. “No, you don’t understand. I wasn’t here. Well, I was, but I was other places too, and no one could see me—”

“Shhh,” Dovewing said, trying to soothe him. She looked helplessly at Fidgetflake. “Are you sure he isn’t feverish? He isn’t making any sense.”

Fidgetflake came forward, extending his paw to feel Shadowsight’s pelt, but Shadowsight pushed Fidgetflake’s paw away with his own.

“Please, listen to me!” Shadowsight urged. He took a long deep breath and closed his eyes. When he opened them again, there was a focus and urgency there that demanded attention. “I’ve been out of my body,” he explained. “And I’ve just been in the ThunderClan camp.”

“What were you doing there?” asked Rootspring.

Shadowsight exhaled in what seemed like relief that some cat was finally listening. “I spoke to Bramblestar . . . ,” he began haltingly. “He confessed that he was the cat who attacked me.”

Rootspring listened with growing horror as Shadowsight told how a strange cat spirit had emerged from Bramblestar’s body, gloating over how he had driven out the real Bramblestar and intended to go on living his life.

By the time Shadowsight had finished, he was exhausted, shivering and gasping for breath. Dovewing reached out a paw to touch his shoulder. “You’re still too weak for this,” she mewed. “Rest now.”

“No.” In spite of his weariness Shadowsight sounded determined. “I’m afraid that the cat inside Bramblestar has done something to the real Bramblestar’s spirit. We have to try to find him! If we don’t, Bramblestar may never be able to come back to his body.”

“Are you sure it isn’t too late?” Tigerstar asked.

“I’m sure,” Shadowsight asserted. “And I can prove it. Rootpaw, can you try to reach Bramblestar’s spirit? I know you did it once before.”

Rootspring knew that this was no time to explain his warrior name to Shadowsight. Every cat in the den turned their gaze toward Rootspring; he felt his belly flutter nervously under their intent stares.

“I don’t know,” he replied. “We’ve tried everything to find him, but nothing has worked. If he is still around, he’s not responding to me.”

Shadowsight’s expression never changed. His evident faith in Rootspring, despite his failures, was touching. “Will you try one last time?” he asked earnestly. “I have a feeling that if anyone can reach Bramblestar, it’s you.”

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.

He was thankful for the excuse of sitting vigil, but he realized that wasn’t the only reason he wanted nothing to do with the plan. At last he was truly a SkyClan warrior, and his whole being tingled with a fierce loyalty to his Clan and his leader. If Leafstar decided that SkyClan would follow Thun-derClan’s lead, then Rootspring would trust that was the right thing to do.

I only hope that Bramblestar can wait that long. . . .