Veil of Shadows/Chapter 3

"With respect, Bramblestar, who are you to come here and tell me how to run my Clan?"

— Leafstar to Bramblestar in Veil of Shadows, page 40

Veil of Shadows
Chapter number:	3 (of 23)
Page numbers:	35-49
Point of View:	Rootpaw
Chronology

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

Chapter Number: 3 (of 23)

Page Numbers: 35-49

Chapter description

Rootpaw scrambles to a Clan meeting called by Leafstar, and spots his sister, Needlepaw, with a well-groomed pelt and eyes full of joy. He wishes her luck and watches as their leader makes her a warrior of SkyClan with the name Needleclaw. He wonders if StarClan can hear the ceremony as Leafstar calls on them watch over the young she-cat, and he later calls her name with the rest of the Clan. Despite his obvious happiness for his sister, Rootpaw feels envious, noting that he should also be earning his warrior name alongside her but, with his many distractions, such as Bramblestar's spirit and Shadowsight's disappearance, he has not been able to focus on his training.

He heads to the medicine cat den to retrieve soiled bedding and thinks about Bramblestar's last warning. As he does, he hears Bramblestar speak and whips around to see the leader's body asking to be taken to Leafstar. Rootpaw sneaks closer to overhear what the two Clan leaders discuss, hearing Bramblestar state he has called an emergency Gathering due to Shadowsight's disappearance. Leafstar argues with the ThunderClan leader, questions his forwardness about her leadership, and states that no SkyClan warriors were named in the codebreaker vision. Bramblestar makes one last claim that tensions are rising between ThunderClan and ShadowClan due to the medicine cat's disappearance, and the Clans must soon choose sides regarding whether they want StarClan back. With that, he takes his leave with his patrol, and Leafstar calls another Clan meeting to discuss what has just taken place.

The cats of SkyClan begin sharing their thoughts and opinions on Bramblestar's suggestions, causing conflict between some members. A number of cats call for the codebreakers to be punished, while some believe the ThunderClan leader to be causing trouble. Rootpaw wonders if he should tell his Clan the truth about Bramblestar, but before he can, Frecklewish voices his thoughts. Sparrowpelt makes a snide comment before Leafstar calls for silence over her bickering warriors. Tree stands up and backs up the claim about Bramblestar's ghost, causing some more mockery which gives Rootpaw the courage to reveal the truth. Macgyver questions Rootpaw about why Bramblestar would appear to him and not Tree, and the apprentice is unable to answer. SkyClan falls into an uneasy mutter as Dewspring points out to them all that Bramblestar's recent behavior was different from how the leader would normally act.

Leafstar states that she trusts her medicine cats and believes Rootpaw and Tree to be loyal to SkyClan, but the accusations pose a great risk to them all. She tells her Clan that if they begin accusing Bramblestar of being an impostor, they might start a war. Sparrowpelt questions what they are to do, and she tells the Clan that they must protect each other. Violetshine openly agrees with the decision, but reminds them all of what Darktail did to them, and Leafstar agrees. The leader concludes the discussion and then asks her medicine cats if Rootpaw's talent would make him more suitable to be a medicine cat apprentice. When asked if he wants to change his training, Rootpaw hesitates, noting that he would rather be a warrior, but will train instead as a medicine cat if his Clan needs him. As his status is officiated, Rootpaw's thoughts wander to Bristlefrost and his inability to take a mate as a medicine cat, and he laments that his training will last even longer than it has already.

Characters

Major

• Rootpaw

Minor

• Leafstar
• Needleclaw
• Reedclaw
• Bramblestar's impostor (As Bramblestar)
• Tree
• Plumwillow
• Sagenose
• Sandynose
• Macgyver
• Sparrowpelt
• Hawkwing
• Frecklewish
• Harrybrook
• Fidgetflake
• Dewspring
• Violetshine

Mentioned

• Shadowsight
• Bramblestar's spirit
• Bristlefrost
• Sparkpelt
• Whitewing
• Wrenpaw
• Rabbitleap
• Darktail

Important events

Ceremonies

Needleclaw's warrior ceremony

Leafstar: Then I, Leafstar, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn. Needlepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life? Needlepaw: I do. Leafstar: Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your warrior name. Needlepaw, from this moment on you will be known as Needleclaw. StarClan honors your skill and your patience, and we welcome you as a full warrior of SkyClan. Everyone: Needleclaw! Needleclaw! Reference: Veil of Shadows, page 36