The Silent Thaw/Chapter 7

"Why is it just me who can see this ghost? I'm a warrior apprentice, not a medicine cat. Go bother some other cat!"

— Rootpaw's thoughts on Bramblestar's ghost in The Silent Thaw, page 83

The Silent Thaw
Chapter number:	7 (of 24)
Page numbers:	82-96
Point of View:	Rootpaw
Chronology

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

Chapter Number: 7 (of 24)

Page Numbers: 82-96

Chapter description

Rootpaw wakes up late, wondering why Dewspring hadn't woken him like the other mornings. He mentions that often his denmates, Needlepaw and Wrenpaw, would tease him for his hibernation and that his sleep pattern was messed up due to Bramblestar's ghost lurking. The young tom also notes that it had been two days since the last Gathering and he hadn't been able to speak to the medicine cats about Bramblestar, who has been hanging around more frequently, trying to get Rootpaw's attention and asking for help when ignored. Rootpaw wonders why is the only one able to see the ghost as it continues to pester him.

Leaving the apprentice's den, he finds Dewspring being treated in the medicine cat den by Frecklewish and Fidgetflake. Dewspring is told to rest his injured paw for a day, but, states that Rootpaw's assessment is soon and he won't want to miss out on training. Rootpaw offers to train with Needlepaw and Wrenpaw, but, is told the two had left earlier that morning. So, he offers to help around the medicine cat den, thinking if Bramblestar decided to bother him, the medicine cats would see him and it would no longer be his problem. The older cats agree, and he is sent to gather horsetail and marigold with Fidgetflake.

While out with Fidgetflake, Rootpaw asks about seeing dead cats. Fidgetflake explains that medicine cats only see StarClan cats in visions, unlike Tree who sees cats left behind in the forest. He goes on to add, from more questions that Rootpaw asks, that StarClan cats have no need to return to the forest as they can connect to the Clans from the Moonpool. Fidgetflake asks Rootpaw if he's considering becoming a medicine cat, but, Rootpaw lies, saying he and some other apprentices were talking about ghosts. The apprentice says that the group was talking about a ghost of a living cat, which Fidgetflake tells him that it sounded made up as it simply wasn't possible. Rootpaw also learns from the medicine cat that a message from a dead cat it is good to honor their wishes, making him feel uneasy. The pair of them are found by Tree, who talks with his son about his training before taking him to learn some of his hunting skills.

Rootpaw follows his father after being dismissed by Fidgetflake, who thanks him for his help. Tree attempts to teach his son to be a bush to hunt. Rootpaw is confused by the strategy, but, goes along with the older cat's instructions. As they sit there, Tree brings up his thoughts about leaving the Clans, much to Rootpaw's displeasure, mentioning that he wants to finish his warrior training. Tree explains that they didn't have to leave at that moment, but, the previous Gathering had proven that Bramblestar is insistent on punishing the codebreakers. He also questions his son to why he ran away from the Gathering to which Rootpaw explains that he'd seen something that startled him. As they continue to talk, Rootpaw wishes he could tell his father about Bramblestar's ghost, but, as he thinks about it he spots the ThunderClan cat tasting the air. However, the ghost sees him and starts asking questions, much to Rootpaw's dismay. Tree tells his son to think about the decision as Rootpaw watches Bramblestar's ghost and realises that his father can't see him. Rootpaw sticks up for his decision as his father decides to go back to camp; Rootpaw instead opts to practice his hunting moves.

When Tree leaves, Rootpaw speaks with Bramblestar's ghost who is surprised when the younger cat does. Bramblestar tells him that he hasn't seen any StarClan cat since he died and that he can't get back to his body because another cat is in it. Rootpaw goes off at the ghost, telling him that he's unsure why he thought he could help when he is only an apprentice. Bramblestar tells him the truth that its because he's the only cat that's been able to see him. He asks the apprentice to deliver a message to Squirrelflight, to which Rootpaw asks how, only to be told to find a way. Rootpaw recalls Fidgetflake's advice to honor a dead cat's wish, he shivers knowing that Bramblestar had just asked the impossible.

Characters

Major

• Rootpaw

Minor

• Needlepaw
• Bramblestar's ghost
• Hawkwing
• Fidgetflake
• Frecklewish
• Tree

Mentioned

• Wrenpaw
• Bramblestar's impostor
• Violetshine
• Squirrelflight