Dovewing's Silence by Erin Hunter

be okay,” she mewed.
    Bramblestar barely gave the cats a chance to settle beforehe began speaking. His words were flung into the hollow like stones into a pool. “There are brave warriors among you today,” he declared. “Cats who risked their lives to protect their Clan, who rushed into a situation without knowing what they faced but didn’t turn back. They fought the most savage of enemies, and won. We are in their debt.”
    A murmur passed through the crowd and cats turned to one another in confusion. What had they missed? Had there been an attack from another Clan?
    Bramblestar continued: “Ivypool, Blossomfall, Mousewhisker, Thornclaw, and Birchfall, please come to the front.”
    The five cats limped to the foot of the cliff. Thornclaw’s lip was torn, and a scab was already forming above Ivypool’s eye. Birchfall and Mousewhisker were missing several clumps of fur.
    â€œSome of you continue to blame these cats for the battle with the Dark Forest,” Bramblestar meowed. “You are wrong. Today, these cats saved our lives. They were tricked—yes, tricked—into taking on a wounded fox. I am pleased to report that the creature was defeated and ThunderClan is safe. If you feel anything toward these warriors, it should be gratitude, respect, and the utmost loyalty. They have proved that they are willing to lay down their lives for you. In future, you will be prepared to do the same.”
    Dovewing looked around and saw that several of her Clanmates seemed uncomfortable, flattening their ears and shifting their paws. Berrynose and Poppyfrost were among them.
    Bramblestar raked the Clan with his amber gaze. “Know this, warriors. The Dark Forest will win if we do not forgive those cats who were once their allies. Forgiveness is far more powerful than hatred and suspicion. United, we are as strong as we ever were. Divided, we will fall. Remember that the Dark Forest is still out there, ready to prey on our dreams. Hostility and distrust among us will give them more force than they deserve. Do you want that?”
    â€œNo!” chorused the cats.
    Bramblestar tipped his head to one side. “I don’t hear you!”
    â€œ No! ” ThunderClan yowled, shivering the leaves on the trees.
    Bramblestar lowered his head to pray. “Great StarClan, we thank you for giving courage and strength to these warriors today. May we honor them always.”
    His words were echoed by the rest of the cats, quietly like a soft breeze. There was a stir of movement near the front, and Dovewing stood on tiptoe to see Cherrypaw and Molepaw approach the cats at the bottom of the cliff.
    â€œWe’re very sorry,” Molepaw mewed. “What we did was wrong, and broke the warrior code.”
    â€œIt won’t happen again,” Cherrypaw added.
    Birchfall reached out with his tail and stroked the she-cat on her flank. “I believe you,” he meowed. He paused. “Will you patrol with me tomorrow, Cherrypaw?”
    She nodded vigorously. “It would be an honor to patrol with any of you.”
    Dovewing let out a sigh of relief.
    â€œI still don’t know exactly what’s gone on, but whatever you’ve done, thank you,” Bumblestripe murmured. “This means so much to me.” He gazed warmly at his sister, who was surrounded by warriors asking if she was okay after the fight with the fox.
    â€œI know it does,” Dovewing whispered. She pricked her ears as she spotted Lionblaze padding to his den. “Excuse me,” she mewed to Bumblestripe. She trotted after the golden tabby and stopped him at the entrance to the warriors’ den. “Lionblaze, we need to talk,” she announced. “Now.”
    The warrior blinked once, then nodded. “I know. Come on, let’s find Jayfeather.”
    The medicine cat was waiting outside the cave. He didn’t give them a chance to speak, instead turning his sightless blue gaze to