The Silent Thaw/Chapter 13

"You have to go, [...] You and Tree are the only ones who know about the impostor. You might be able to save the Clans."

— Bramblestar to Rootpaw in The Silent Thaw, page 189

The Silent Thaw
Chapter number:	13 (of 24)
Page numbers:	171-189
Point of View:	Rootpaw
Chronology

Below contains in-depth information for chapter thirteen of The Silent Thaw. If you are looking for a shorter summary of the entire book, please check the main article.

Chapter Number: 13 (of 24)

Page Numbers: 171-189

Chapter description

Rootpaw drags a pile of moss across the camp clearing, having been ordered by Leafstar to do so since he had been escorted from ThunderClan camp. The young tom heads into the warriors' den and is watched by Bramblestar's ghost who he questions the appearance of. The ThunderClan leader tells him that he has nothing else to do and that he was the only cat that could see him. Rootpaw recalls that the ghost had started hanging around him more frequently, but would leave him alone during training as agreed upon. He also notes that Bramblestar had been grateful that the apprentice had tried to pass on his message to Squirrelflight and that all they could do was wait for what could happen next.

Leafstar calls a Clan meeting and Rootpaw is alerted by the ghost. Rootpaw exists the warriors' den and asks Macgyver what was going on, to which the warrior shrugs, also unknowing. Bramblestar's ghost joins the meeting, sitting beside the two toms and asks Rootpaw if he thinks that there has been word from StarClan. Rootpaw recalls that it had been the half-moon meeting the previous night and that it would be strange to hear from StarClan after their long silence. The ghost wistfully thinks that perhaps Squirrelflight had shared his message with the medicine cats, but before he can say anything else Leafstar begins the meeting, telling SkyClan that Frecklewish had brought news from the medicine cat meeting.

The medicine cat steps up and recounts that Shadowsight had had a vision from StarClan, revealing the codebreakers and that they must be punished for the forgotten warrior code. Harrybrook calls out that it sounds like what Bramblestar had said, making Bramblestar's ghost growl at the mention. Rootpaw ignores him and listens as Plumwillow states that SkyClan has always respected the warrior code and questions why they should suffer too. Sparrowpelt asks Frecklewish who StarClan named, and the medicine cat reveals the names of the codebreakers - Lionblaze, Crowfeather, Squirrelflight, Jayfeather, and Dovewing. Macgyver cuts her off, noting that no SkyClan cats had been named and Frecklewish tells Harrybrook who also questions the named cats that she is not sure if SkyClan must suffer as a result of the other cats.

The clearing of cats calms down and Bramblestar's ghost questions StarClan's shared opinion of the impostor. Rootpaw tells him to hush as they both continue to listen to SkyClan share their opinions on the news. Harrybrook once again voices his thoughts, agreeing that the codebreakers should be punished. The ghost notes to the apprentice that the warrior sounds just like the impostor. Leafstar finally states that they might have to wait to see what the other Clans do before acting upon anything. Tree steps forward and asks about Bramblestar, pointing out his behavior at Gatherings and how he is using StarClan as a means to turn the Clans against each other. Bramblestar's ghost agrees with the tom's reasons as Rootpaw continues to listen to his father. Leafstar agrees that the ThunderClan leader has been aggressive with his push to punish the codebreakers, but believes that now that StarClan has revealed the cats, he might settle down somewhat. She tells her Clan that difficult times lay ahead for them and that they must support the other Clans with their decisions. The meeting ends and Rootpaw returns to the warriors' den with the ghost following him.

Rootpaw suggests that if the codebreakers are dealt with, StarClan might let the ghost's spirit back into his body. Bramblestar questions his idea, asking if he believed StarClan let the impostor take his body on purpose. The ghost's question makes Rootpaw backtrack on his idea, instead noting that perhaps StarClan thought it to be easier for someone different to deal with them. The ghost states flatly that the impostor is the one using StarClan and that he needs to be stopped before it's too late. Violetshine interrupts to give her son advice to not visit Bristlefrost. Rootpaw tells her that he was not planning too but she warns him with all the worries of Bramblestar using it to his advantage. He promises her that he will not visit Bristlefrost.

At the Gathering, Rootpaw watches Bramblestar's ghost watch his body. The impostor speaks to the Clans about Shadowsight's vision and that StarClan is angry to the point that they have named the worst offenders. He suggests the plan of making the codebreakers atone for their wrongdoings. Tigerstar questions his plan, making his Clan watch him nervously from below. Bramblestar's body bluntly states that StarClan will not return until the codebreakers suffer for their crimes. Squirrelflight voices her concerns and suggests that perhaps the Clans should suffer together instead of individual cats. The ThunderClan leader snaps at her saying that due to the fact the codebreakers were named they should clearly be punished and that they need to decide how to do so. Tigerstar questions him and Bramblestar continues on with his thoughts and points out that he had begun punishing cats already, revealing he had exiled Lionblaze and that Spotfur was forbidden from talking to her Clanmates for a quarter moon.

Tree shifts next to Rootpaw and points out that Bramblestar is trying to turn the Clans into vengeful rogues and if he is not careful will possibly destroy the Clans. Rootpaw suggests that he was just trying to help and that it might bring StarClan back. Tree questions his son's thoughts, leaving the younger cat with no answer. Tigerstar continues to argue against the ThunderClan leader, prompting Bramblestar to point out that the ShadowClan leader's mate was a codebreaker. Tigerstar continues and states that Squirrelflight was also named as a codebreaker. Bramblestar meows that he will deal with the ThunderClan codebreakers himself and expects the other Clans to do so as well. Rootpaw catches a glance of Bramblestar's ghost and pushes away from the Gathering to tell the ghost that it had been right about the impostor. The ghost thanks him and tells Rootpaw that he must try to convince others to believe the impostor just wants to hurt cats.

The Clan leaders continue to argue as Bramblestar's ghost challenges Rootpaw to speak up against punishing the codebreakers. In frustration, he tells the ghost to shut up, bringing the entire Gathering's attention to the apprentice. Bramblestar's body questions him and Rootpaw nervously mumbles an apology and lies to cover himself. It is decided, after the interruption, that the Clans should discuss the best way forward back at their own camps. Mistystar finishes the Gathering and as cats begin to leave, Squirrelflight confronts Rootpaw. She asks the apprentice if he had been telling the truth and he tells her that he was. When she asks to prove it, Bramblestar's ghost tells the apprentice to remind her of the moment that they had shared after the battle with the Sisters. The apprentice does and Squirrelflight believes him, but she is called back by the impostor before saying much more. Spotfur and Stemleaf then approach the apprentice and invite him to a secret meeting three nights from then to discuss what was happening with the Clans. The two leave, leaving Rootpaw and Bramblestar's ghost.

The ghost questions Rootpaw about the meeting after the apprentice makes it clear he does not want to go out of fear of not becoming a warrior. Bramblestar points out that if Tree takes their family away from the Clans and if the impostor continues on his current path. Rootpaw takes a moment to consider his options and decides to attend the meeting.

Characters

Major

• Rootpaw

Minor

• Bramblestar
• Leafstar
• Frecklewish
• Fidgetflake
• Macgyver
• Plumwillow
• Sparrowpelt
• Harrybrook
• Hawkwing
• Tree
• Violetshine
• Bramblestar's impostor (As Bramblestar)
• Tigerstar
• Mistystar
• Harestar
• Crowfeather
• Dovewing
• Mothwing
• Jayfeather
• Squirrelflight
• Spotfur
• Stemleaf
• Twigbranch
• Scorchfur
• Hootwhisker

Mentioned

• Dewspring
• Sagenose
• Squirrelflight
• Shadowsight
• Lionblaze
• Bristlefrost
• Darktail
• Leafpool