Veil of Shadows/Chapter 19

"I will release you […] I don't know how, yet, but I will do it."

— Shadowsight to StarClan in Veil of Shadows, page 243

Veil of Shadows
Chapter number:	19 (of 23)
Page numbers:	231-246
Point of View:	Shadowsight
Chronology

Below contains in-depth information for chapter nineteen of Veil of Shadows. If you are looking for a shorter summary of the entire book, please check the main article.

Chapter Number: 19 (of 23)

Page Numbers: 231-246

Chapter description

Shadowsight joins the exile camp, full of the surviving rebels, ShadowClan and the exiled cats. He listens as Tigerstar addresses the gathered cats, announcing that Puddleshine has news to share from the previous half-moon gathering. Shadowsight wistfully thinks that he should have been there, but, was unable to attend as he was still recovering. Puddleshine reveals that it was discussed at the Moonpool that Kestrelflight and Willowshine agreed to tell their leaders about the Bramblestar's ghost and what Shadowsight had seen between worlds. He adds, following Crowfeather's prompting, that the two leaders discussed the topics with their deputies and trusted senior warriors. Puddleshine explains that Mistystar is firm in her belief that the evidence couldn't be trusted from cats that she didn't know and that her trust still lies with Bramblestar to get StarClan back. Harestar is said to believe both Rootspring and Shadowsight to be odd, to which a cat murmurs that held no argument.

The young medicine cat finds the comment both amusing and resentful. Puddleshine continues to share that Harestar has also chosen to support Bramblestar. This shared information brings out arguments from the gathered cats as Tigerstar steps up and states that both RiverClan and WindClan will see no bad in Bramblestar due to the circumstances. He comes to the conclusion that they will have to kill Bramblestar in order to end his control over the Clans which causes Shadowsight to cry out. He tells his father that Bramblestar wasn't the cat at fault, it was instead the impostor and that they know his spirit is still somewhere. Rootspring speaks up, telling the gathered cats that he hadn't seen the real Bramblestar's spirit for a full moon, believing him to have faded and that their chance at saving him had also passed.

Before he can respond, Shadowsight watches as the scene around him changes, mirroring a vision he had before he killed Bramblestar's body. He follows the flames in the vision, leading him to the Moonpool. Shadowsight takes a paw step on the spiral path to the pool, and as he does, the fire around him dies and the vision fades away, leaving him back in the exiles' camp. He notes that none of the other cats noticed anything out of the ordinary, instead, Squirrelflight joins Tigerstar in speaking to the camp. She insists that Bramblestar's body can be killed, but, asks what will happen to his real spirit. Tigerstar is unsure how to answer her question and instead opts for the cats to attack, which garners responses from the rebels. The cats begin to raise their voices in support of each other which stops as Tigerstar calls for silence. He delivers a speech to rally them together which has Shadowsight feeling impressed and uneasy about the impending attack. It is agreed between the ShadowClan leader and Squirrelflight that the attack would be in two sunrises and that if possible, they take Bramblestar as a prisoner.

Later, Shadowsight hears the real Bramblestar's voice call to him while curled in his nest back in ShadowClan's camp. He decides he needs to find the tom, figuring out that his voice was coming from the Moonpool. Shadowsight then makes the decision to eat deathberries in order to track the ghost. The tom finds himself visualising the Moonpool and its icy water when he hears Bramblestar call once again. Shadowsight leaps into the waters of the Moonpool, but, loses track of the other tom's eyes and wonders briefly if it had all been a trick and that he was actually dying. Through the darkness, Shadowsight then sees branches stemming from the bottom of the pool. He fights through them, tearing at his pelt before blacking out.

As he comes to, Shadowsight finds himself in the Place of No Stars. He wonders to himself how to get out of the forest, but, remembers he had been led there on purpose. He recalls the impostor's words and wonders if this was how he got to the lake. Shadowsight begins to explore and recalls stories of the cats that had trained under the first Tigerstar. He finds a strange den, but, notices that it has no entrance. As he inspects it closer, Shadowsight is amazed to find to see a glimpse of water within. The tom manages to move an ivy tendril blocking is the view and notices the pool of water is glittering with stars. Shadowsight wonders if the barrier is keeping StarClan from the Clans and if a cat had built it. He vows to the pool that he would somehow free it and continues on his path.

Bramblestar's cry comes again and Shadowsight sets off toward the sound. As the cries become louder, he comes across a vast oak tree. Bramblestar continues to cry out and is relieved when Shadowsight answers his call. Shadowsight manages to help the large tom from the tree trunk. Bramblestar thanks the young tom, revealing that he was steadily growing weaker while trapped. As Shadowsight begins to ask for the ThunderClan leader for more details, he falls to the ground and hear's Puddleshine's voice. Bramblestar anxiously wonders what is happening as Shadowsight is being treated for the deathberries. He tells the tabby that he is waking up and Bramblestar asks him to take him with him, but, as Shadowsight comes to in the waking world his response is cut off. Waking up, he is met with his father questioning his actions, but, Shadowsight sits up and reassures his father that he knew what he was doing and that he now knows what was keeping StarClan away.

Characters

Major

• Shadowsight

Minor

• Tigerstar
• Puddleshine
• Frecklewish
• Crowfeather
• Rootspring
• Squirrelflight
• Lionblaze
• Bramblestar

Mentioned

• Flipclaw
• Kestrelflight
• Willowshine
• Alderheart
• Mistystar
• Harestar
• Bramblestar's impostor (As Bramblestar)
• Dovewing
• Tigerstar