The Silent Thaw/Chapter 17

"Trouble has already been stirred up! Do you want to stand by while this imposter banishes some poor cat forever, or tries to send more of his Clanmates to their deaths?"

— Spotfur to Breezepelt in The Silent Thaw, page 237

The Silent Thaw
Chapter number:	17 (of 24)
Page numbers:	233-245
Point of View:	Bristlefrost
Chronology

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

Chapter Number: 17 (of 24)

Page Numbers: 233-245

Chapter description

Bristlefrost is dismayed that the rebels think she would betray them, and she panics as they stare at her, wondering why she decided to come at all. She realizes Bramblestar is definitely not himself, and asks to join the rebels, admitting that she's worried about her leader. Stemleaf, Spotfur, and the others are suspicious, and she says that she hasn't been there long, only overhearing that Bramblestar is an imposter. Spotfur demands to know how she found out about the meeting, and Bristlefrost admits she overheard her discussing it with Stemleaf. Spotfur accuses her of spying, but Bristlefrost protests she didn't mean to eavesdrop. She explains how she's noticed Bramblestar acting weird, and sees Rootpaw, whom she hopes will trust her due to their friendship.

Rootpaw explains their plan to ask Shadowsight to explain his visions, but Bristlefrost says they need the support of powerful cats to expose Bramblestar, especially ones from ThunderClan. She tells them that Squirrelflight already suspects Bramblestar is an imposter, but the rebels are suspicious she might not be willing to betray her mate. Rootpaw explains he relayed a message from Bramblestar's ghost to Squirrelflight, and Tree puts in that he was the one who asked Rootpaw to deliver the message, as the apprentice would cause less suspicion. Bristlefrost is confused by this, but Rootpaw and Tree stare at her, urging her to go along with their story, and she agrees. Rootpaw explains Bramblestar's message that the cat in his body is not him, and Breezepelt points out that Squirrelflight would need the support of her Clanmates in order to oust the false Bramblestar. Stemleaf says he doesn't want ThunderClan to fight one another, and Spotfur reminds them that if Bramblestar's body is injured, he may be unable to return to it.

Bristlefrost explains how she believes Bramblestar tried to kill Sparkpelt, urging the others to do something. Twigbranch questions if any of them are safe, and Bristlefrost is doubtful. Spotfur questions once again if Bristlefrost is a spy for the imposter, and the warrior insists she isn't. Bristlefrost assures Stemleaf she can convince Squirrelflight to join them, and Spotfur insists she needs to convince Squirrelflight to tell the other leaders as well. Frecklewish asks what will happen if the other leaders don't believe Squirrelflight, as she was one of the codebreakers, and Sneezecloud agrees, but Stemleaf urges them to have faith in their Clanmates to see the truth. Breezepelt questions if this will only stir up trouble, and Spotfur snaps at him that they need to stop Bramblestar before more cats get hurt. He agrees, but warns them that it won't be easy.

Bristlefrost returns to camp, keeping her distance from Stemleaf and Spotfur, feeling awkward around them as she's unsure if they've forgiven her. Although she's largely gotten over her feelings for Stemleaf, it still hurts her to see the two of them together. In the morning, Thornclaw asks to lead a patrol, and Bristlefrost tells him to take whichever cats he wants. Squirrelflight runs into the clearing and asks Bristlefrost if she's organized the dawn patrol, saying that Bramblestar will want to see his Clan working when he wakes up. Bristlefrost tells her that she has and requests to speak with her alone.

Once Thornclaw's patrol leaves, she tells Squirrelflight about the rebels' meetings, and that they know about the imposter. Bristlefrost tells the deputy how they need the support of other Clan leaders, and Squirrelflight agrees to talk with them. She says she will go to Leafstar first, as she thinks the leader will listen to her. Bristlefrost points out that their plan might mean going against the will of StarClan or causing a war, but Squirrelflight argues that no true warrior would act like Bramblestar has been. Bramblestar approaches, and Squirrelflight calmly breaks off the meeting, reminding Bristlefrost that he doesn't know they know.

Bramblestar is distressed as he tells Squirrelflight he woke up to find her gone, and wondered where she went. Squirrelflight explains she was discussing patrols with Bristlefrost before she left, and she says she needs to atone for her codebreaking. Bramblestar protests that he wants her to stay, as StarClan has already forgiven her, but she insists on taking the same punishment as Lionblaze in order to show their Clanmates and the other Clans their willingness to follow the will of StarClan and atone, as no cat is above the code. Bristlefrost excitedly realizes Squirrelflight is planning to visit the other Clans during her exile. Bramblestar reluctantly lets her go, and Bristlefrost notices Squirrelflight is uncomfortable as she says goodbye, touching her nose to Bramblestar's. She worries Bramblestar may take out his frustration at Squirrelflight's absence on the Clan, and urges him to go back to sleep. Graystripe walks over to ask why the leader was up so early, and Bristlefrost explains how Squirrelflight has gone to atone. She hopes Squirrelflight will succeed in her mission.

Characters

Major

• Bristlefrost
• Spotfur
• Rootpaw
• Squirrelflight

Minor

• Stemleaf
• Sneezecloud
• Dappletuft
• Breezepelt
• Twigbranch
• Finleap
• Frecklewish
• Tree
• Whorlpelt
• Lionblaze
• Alderheart
• Thornclaw
• Mousewhisker
• Birchfall
• Bramblestar's impostor (As Bramblestar)
• Graystripe

Mentioned

• Bramblestar
• Shadowsight
• Sparkpelt
• Leafstar

Errors

• Squirrelflight states that no cats in SkyClan have been accused of codebreaking, but Tree was named in Shadowsight's original vision.

Trivia

• This chapter aligns with chapter eight of Spotfur's Rebellion.