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"Shadowsight's contributions have been very valuable, but [...] that doesn't tell us how to defeat whatever lies in Bramblestar's body. To beat him, we must figure out who he is."
Below contains in-depth information for chapter twenty-three of Veil of Shadows. If you are looking for a shorter summary of the entire book, please check the main article.
Rootspring visits the SkyClanmedicine catden to see Frecklewish treating a wound on Tree's leg with a poultice. She warns the injured mediator to rest it for a few days, and Tree tells his son that he will be missing the Gathering that night. Rootspring offers to stay behind with him, but Tree encourages him to attend and says that Violetshine will ensure he is taken care of. Leafstar notices Rootspring joining the Gathering patrol and reiterates how important it is that he attend, although he feels nervous. At the Gathering, Rootspring notices tension among the cats, although the Clans are mingling together. He also sees the ghosts of the cats who died in the battle for ShadowClan, who appear sad and frightened. Bramblestar's ghost is not among them, and Rootspring recalls his conversation with Shadowsight the previous day when they questioned where the leader's spirit could have gone.
Leafstar begins the Gathering by stating that mistakes have been made, but this is not the time for cats to punish one another, and that they need to take time to heal. Harestar questions if Bramblestar's impostor was correct about StarClan leaving them due to codebreaking, but Tigerstar defends the codebreakers. Crowfeather and Lionblaze are upset by this, arguing that ignoring or changing the warrior code would cause StarClan to abandon them forever. Rootspring notices that the WindClandeputy has returned to his position, and the other rebels are present in the clearing. Mistystar supports Harestar's stance, and Tigerstar explains Shadowsight's vision of StarClan being trapped in the Dark Forest. Harestar protests that this contradicts what he saw when he dies, but Leafstar reminds him that medicine cats' visions are not always literal. Tigerstar angrily reminds the other leaders of the difficulties Shadowsight has been through and demands that they listen to his son. Everyone is silent for a moment before Mistystar and Squirrelflight state that Tigerstar's judgement may be clouded by his personal involvement with Dovewing and Shadowsight.
Squirrelflight says that they need to figure out the imposter's identity, and Harestar suggests that she knows the most about Bramblestar, and should be able to discover his identity if anyone can. Mistystar decides to exile Icewing and Harelight for fighting against their Clan during the battle. Mothwing defends them, and when Mistystar offers to let her back into RiverClan, the medicine cat refuses, to the shock of everyone present. Icewing and Harelight protest, and Leafstar questions the fairness of the RiverClan's decision, but Mistystar stands firm. Tigerstar invites the exiled cats into ShadowClan, causing further murmurs of shock. As the Gathering ends and RiverClan leaves, Rootspring questions if the Clans will survive such a terrible time, even after the imposter's defeat. Squirrelflight suddenly calls the others back and declares that she knows the identity of the imposter.
