Veil of Shadows/Chapter 4

"Cats of all Clans, you no longer have a choice. Moons have passed since StarClan last communicated with us, and their intent could not be clearer. Their demands are hard to bear, but there's no doubt that obeying them is the right thing to do. We must exile each and every one of the named codebreakers. They must leave the lake, or StarClan will never return to us"

— Bramblestar to the Clans in Veil of Shadows, page 62

Veil of Shadows
Chapter number:	4 (of 23)
Page numbers:	50-67
Point of View:	Bristlefrost
Chronology

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

Chapter Number: 4 (of 23)

Page Numbers: 50-67

Chapter description

Bristlefrost returns to camp following Bramblestar and Whitewing. The white warrior suggests for her to grab some fresh-kill. The young warrior nods with gratitude and feels herself relax, being able to distance herself from ThunderClan's leader for a while. She notes that Bramblestar had been particularly nosy since exiling Lionblaze and Jayfeather and that he had spent more time with her and treated her differently than the other members of the Clan.

After grabbing her fresh-kill, Bristlefrost joins Stemleaf and Spotfur. Spotfur asks about the patrol to SkyClan, and Bristlefrost informs her that Leafstar was not convinced by Bramblestar's urging to exile disloyal cats. Spotfur jokingly replies that she could not understand why. Stemleaf reminds them both that Shadowsight is still missing, and the three young cats discuss the likelihood that Bramblestar might have killed the medicine cat, but quickly dismiss the thought. As they talk, Thornclaw joins them and briefly chats about the weather and StarClan's disappearance with the three. After some small talk, Bristlefrost excuses herself, passing by Flipclaw on her way to the warriors' den. He makes a harsh comment responding to her praise, questioning why she was so quick to turn her back on Jayfeather and Lionblaze. The comment stings her, but before she can respond, Flipclaw disappears. She goes to enter the den, but spots Finleap crouched underneath the Highledge. Feeling sorry for him, she approaches him and tries to reassure him that Twigbranch would be alright. He also snaps at her, even as she tries to quiet him down as his voice begins to carry across the camp.

Bramblestar emerges from his den with an irritated yowl at the disturbance. Bristlefrost covers for Finleap and asks to speak with the leader in private. The dark tabby agrees and as she makes her way up to the den, Finleap gives her one last disappointed look before retreating to the warriors' den. Entering the leaders' den, Bristlefrost notes immediately that it reeks of rotting prey scraps, noticing bones and old bedding scattered around. Bramblestar asks how the Clan is doing, and she reports they are doing well despite the wet weather. She thinks about the unnamed spirit currently inhabiting the real Bramblestar's body, wondering what it wants to achieve. Bristlefrost also reflects that most of ThunderClan still is not aware of the impostor due to his limited interactions with them and Berrynose sending out orders in his place to keep the Clan busy.

That night, Bristlefrost walks beside Bramblestar and Berrynose to the emergency Gathering. The leader picks up Squirrelflight's scent, but Bristlefrost convinces him that the scent is just moss. At the Gathering, Tigerstar remarks about ThunderClan's late appearance and asks the gathered cats for anyone with information concerning his son, Shadowsight, to come forward. Bramblestar bluntly tells the ShadowClan leader to stop looking for the young cat, stating there is no reason to believe he was attacked and that he instead likely left the Clans. This causes the two leaders to argue, ending with Tigerstar fixing the ThunderClan tom an icy glare and a warning. Bramblestar dismisses him and addresses the gathered cats, telling them that to bring StarClan back, they must begin exiling the codebreakers. As he speaks, Bristlefrost notices that some of the named codebreakers are in the clearing. Harestar addresses that his deputy, Crowfeather, is one of the named cats and that he does not want to exile him unless StarClan demands it, noting that many of the codebreakers are loyal cats.

Bramblestar insists that they must abide by StarClan's words and wishes. He brings up Shadowsight once again, angering Tigerstar, but his words result in Harestar agreeing to exile Crowfeather for the good of his Clan. The deputy growls and his son, Breezepelt, jumps to his defense, but Crowfeather speaks for himself and willingly steps down with a warning to Harestar in the process. Mistystar obliges as well, exiling Mothwing with a quick apology. The medicine cat tries to defend herself but is met with firm resistance. Bristlefrost notices as the Gathering begins to disperse that cats have begun arguing over whether it was right to exile the codebreakers. She feels dread swell within her as she realizes that the Clans could be met with something worse than a war. The young she-cat watches as the Crowfeather and Mothwing leave the main clearing. As they leave, she spots Stemleaf following them out. With an ounce of hope, she thinks that he will tell them about Tigerstar offering refuge to the exiled cats.

Characters

Major

• Bristlefrost
• Bramblestar's impostor (As Bramblestar)

Minor

• Whitewing
• Stemleaf
• Spotfur
• Thornclaw
• Flipclaw
• Finleap
• Tigerstar
• Harestar
• Crowfeather
• Breezepelt
• Nightcloud
• Mistystar
• Mothwing

Mentioned

• Lionblaze
• Jayfeather
• Leafstar
• Shadowsight
• Twigbranch
• Squirrelflight
• Berrynose
• Alderheart
• Dovewing
• Willowshine