Эрин Хантер - Veil Of Shadows

After several moments, Molewhisker spoke up hesitantly. “We’re loyal to you, Bramblestar. It’s just . . . well, if we’re being so careful to follow the code, isn’t it against the code to choose a cat as deputy when she hasn’t had an apprentice?”

Bristlefrost expected Bramblestar to unleash his fury. Instead he seemed to grow calmer. He glared at Molewhisker, his eyes flickering; as Bristlefrost watched him, her pads tingled with a mixture of fear and confusion.

For a heartbeat there, I thought his eyes looked blue.

Then Bramblestar spoke, his voice quiet, but full of menace. “I am your leader. My word is the code.”

Chapter 16

Shadowsight woke to see the pale light of dawn creeping into the SkyClan medicine cats’ den. He stretched his jaws in a massive yawn and glanced around. Frecklewish and Fidgetflake were beginning to stir toward the back of the den, and in a nest beside Shadowsight’s, Kitescratch was still deeply asleep.

The young SkyClan warrior had returned to camp the previous day bearing the marks of claws, including one deep wound all along his flank. He had told the medicine cats that he had been injured fighting an owl, though Shadowsight had his doubts.

Kitescratch is too big for an owl to attack, and he must have bees in his brain if he tried to take one as prey.

Shadowsight was distracted from puzzling over Kitescratch’s wounds by the sound of paw steps and voices outside the den. It sounded as though some cat was visiting, though it was very early for a patrol to have arrived from another Clan.

Then Shadowsight relaxed as he recognized his father’s voice. He knew how worried Tigerstar was about him, so it made sense that he would come visit as soon as there was enough light to see by.

“Greetings, Tigerstar.” Leafstar’s voice came from the direction of her den. “You and your warriors are welcome. How can I help you?”

“You’ve helped us enough,” Tigerstar responded warmly. “And I’m grateful for it, but I want my son with me in ShadowClan. I’ve come to take Shadowsight home.”

At that, Shadowsight struggled to his paws and stumbled toward the entrance to the den. His father was standing just outside, flanked by Tawnypelt and Strikestone. Shadowsight gave them a respectful nod.

Tigerstar’s eyes grew warm at the sight of his son. “Greetings, Shadowsight. It’s time to come home.”

“Of course that’s your decision, Tigerstar,” Leafstar meowed. “But I must check with my medicine cats. Fidgetflake?” When the black-and-white tom appeared at the entrance to the den, she asked, “Is Shadowsight ready to travel?”

Fidgetflake’s gaze flicked over Shadowsight; then he nodded. “He’s still a little weak, but he’s getting stronger every day. With help, there’s no reason why he can’t make the trip back to ShadowClan’s camp. But take it slowly,” he added to Tigerstar, “and stop for a rest at least once.”

“It’s true that Shadowsight’s health is improving,” Frecklewish added, emerging from the den to approach her leader. Her expression was somber. “But he’ll be in danger if any cat outside SkyClan realizes that he’s alive. Some cat—possibly Bramblestar—tried to kill him. If they realize they didn’t succeed, they’ll try again.”

Shadowsight remembered his last vision as a spirit, before he returned to his body, and the shock he had felt when Bramblestar saw him. He didn’t even try to hide that he was the cat who attacked me! Will he come after me, if he finds out that I’m alive? Then Shadowsight shook his head firmly. It doesn’t matter if he does. I’ll find some way to defeat him.

Frecklewish was still speaking as Shadowsight struggled with his thoughts. “With that in mind, Tigerstar, don’t you want to let your son stay here for a bit longer?” she asked. “I promise we’re treating him with all the concern and care we would give to a SkyClan cat.”

“I know that,” Tigerstar told her. “And there aren’t words to tell you how much I appreciate what you did to save his life. I’ll always be in your debt. But I’m sure that Shadowsight will be safe on ShadowClan territory, because I’m already preparing my cats for battle.”

“You think it’s come to that?” Leafstar asked, anxiety in her voice.

“I do. Bramblestar cannot be allowed to give orders to all five Clans in the way that he has. And I’m sure he had some paw in hurting Shadowsight.”

Except it wasn’t really Bramblestar, Shadowsight thought with a glance at his father.

“But still, to go into battle . . . ,” Leafstar began, reluctance in her eyes and the set of her whiskers.

“Peace has reigned in the five Clans for moons,” Tigerstar interrupted. “But that peace is coming to an end soon. We are living in a den of twigs, and Bramblestar—or whoever that truly is—is about to send it crashing down. Now that some foolishly brave cats have made an attack on Bramblestar’s life, the end will come even faster.”

Leafstar stared at him, as if she was finding it hard to accept the bleak future he was prophesying. “I understand how upset you are over Shadowsight’s injuries,” she mewed, “but I hope you’re wrong. Bramblestar would never attack a medicine cat, would he?”

Tigerstar brushed past her, flicking his tail to summon Tawnypelt and Strikestone. “Help Shadowsight, and follow me,” he instructed. He took a pace toward the camp entrance, then turned back to Leafstar. “ Bramblestar wouldn’t,” he added. “Thank you for your kindness, Leafstar, Fidgetflake, Frecklewish.”

Shadowsight scarcely had time to say good-bye before he had to follow his father out of camp.

By the time he reached the bushes that surrounded the ShadowClan camp, Shadowsight felt weak and exhausted. His legs were wobbling, and it was all he could do to push his way through the barrier and stumble down into the hollow.

On the way home, his father had told him how a group of the rebels had attacked Bramblestar. “They were brave but stupid,” Tigerstar had meowed. “It was too early to strike, and now we have to deal with the consequences. Surviving the attack will make Bramblestar all the bolder.”

Now Shadowsight’s Clanmates bounded up to him and crowded around him, letting out yowls of greeting and brushing against his pelt to welcome him home. Shadowsight’s heart lifted to realize how glad they were to see him. I missed them, and my camp, so much. It’s good to be home!

His mother, Dovewing, appeared from her den and raced across the camp to nuzzle him close. “I’m so, so relieved that you’re okay,” she purred. “Come on, let’s get you to Puddleshine.”

As soon as Shadowsight set paw in the medicine cats’ den, Puddleshine was there to greet him.

“I’ve never been so glad to see any cat!” his former mentor exclaimed, ruffling up Shadowsight’s nest with his forepaws. “Come and lie down; I’ve put extra moss in here for you.”

Shadowsight let out a sigh of gratitude as he sank into the deep, soft bedding. “That feels so good,” he murmured. “I’m glad to be home.”

Puddleshine stood over him, his whiskers drooping and a look of distress in his eyes. “I’m so sorry, Shadowsight,” he meowed. “I should have looked harder for you. If I’d known you were alive, suffering somewhere . . .”

Shadowsight realized that he had been crazy to ever suspect that Puddleshine might have been involved in his attack. The medicine cat was clearly full of remorse.

“If you had found me, I might not have discovered what I did about Bramblestar,” he pointed out.

“What was that?” Puddleshine asked.

Tigerstar, who had supported his son as far as the den and still stood in the entrance, let out a growl. “You might find it hard to believe. I did—but I do believe it now.”