Dovewing's Silence Read Online Free PDF

moss from a bundle that had been dragged out of the nursery. Her sister had more than enough to worry about without Dovewing adding her concerns about her senses. Jayfeather was too busy with Foxleap and the other wounded cats, and Lionblaze was constantly out on patrol. Dovewing recalled his broken claw during the burial, and winced. She could no longer hear, and Lionblaze was able to suffer injuries.
    Has something happened to all our powers?

C HAPTER 4
    A faint three-quarter moon showed over the tops of the pine trees as the cats filed across the tree-bridge to the island. Dovewing stayed close to Ivypool, trying to comfort her sister without saying anything. Ivypool walked with her head high and her tail kinked confidently over her back, but Dovewing knew she was scared of what might be said at this meeting. Bramblestar and Jayfeather led the ThunderClan patrol, and Birchfall, Thornclaw, Mousewhisker, and Blossomfall brought up the rear. The four cats radiated tension and the fur bristled along their spines; Dovewing wished they would relax and not look as if they had something to be ashamed of.
    Blackstar was already seated at the foot of the oak tree, flanked by his medicine cat, Littlecloud. Both cats looked frail and thin against the sturdy trunk. Their Clanmates Tigerheart and Ratscar sat a tail-length off, ears twitching. Bramblestar stopped halfway across the clearing and gestured with his tail to his Clanmates, inviting them to sit down. “We’ll stay here,” he mewed quietly. Dovewing felt a stab of relief that he was staying with them rather than leaving to sit with Blackstar.
    Onestar arrived before the ThunderClan cats had finished settling. He was accompanied by his medicine cat, Kestrelflight, and Breezepelt. The black warrior’s eyes flashed defiantly. He clearly doesn’t think he’s done anything wrong , Dovewing thought.
    The three Clans waited in silence, listening to the rustle of ferns as the last cats approached. Mistystar emerged first from the bracken followed closely by Mothwing and Icewing. Dovewing blinked. ThunderClan had brought by far the most cats! What did that say about their loyalty to the warrior code?
    Bramblestar seemed to guess what his Clanmates were thinking. “The other Clans lost cats who fought with the Dark Forest,” he murmured. “All of you survived, which is why there are more of us here.”
    It didn’t make Dovewing feel much better. She felt warmth on her pelt, and turned to see Tigerheart gazing at her. She looked away quickly. That was one complication she didn’t need.
    Onestar spoke first. “Why are Lionblaze and Dovewing here?” he asked. “They weren’t part of the Dark Forest, were they?”
    â€œNo,” Bramblestar replied. “But they know as much about the involvement of our Clanmates in the Dark Forest as I do.” He stepped into the space between the four Clans and looked around at the other leaders. “We must pay attention to the truth of what happened and why these cats behaved as they did. The battle is over; they are no longer our enemies.”
    His fur was ruffled and Dovewing knew that in spite ofwhat he’d said, he was troubled by the presence of so many ThunderClan cats. Whatever penalty was chosen, ThunderClan would be the most affected. The atmosphere in the clearing crackled with tension. It felt strange to have the leaders standing among the other cats, and the warriors who had been associated with the Dark Forest bristled as if they were ready to defend themselves with tooth and claw.
    Mistystar raised her head. “As you know, Beetlewhisker and Hollowflight were killed in the battle, so they cannot answer for anything they have done. Icewing knows her loyalty was tested by the Dark Forest, and that she failed. But she has learned from this and I do not doubt her now. She has always been a good warrior. I would like to give her the chance to be one