"Keep well back," Brackenfur warns, "This is a dangerous place."
He and Graystripe, along with their two apprentices, are standing at the edge of the Thunderpath. Tawnypaw and Bramblepaw wrinkle their noses against its bitter smell.
"It doesn't look dangerous to me," meows Bramblepaw. Tentatively he reaches his paw out to place it on the dark stony surface. Quickly he mews, "Cat's have died being hit by the monsters that always cross the Thunderpath. Their roars are so loud it can temporarily drown out everything around it."
"Cats have died?" asks Tawnypaw, looking at the dark stony surface in horror.
"Yes. They get hit by the monsters that roar past on the Thunderpath if they are not careful. They never leave the Thunderpath and if they do it's really rare. But there's another reason why I brought you here. Can you smell anything else?"
Tawnypaw opens her mouth to scent the other scent he wants them to find. Goldenflower has given her blessing to tell the young cats the truth about their father. And he planned to do so where no cat else can hear their conversation.
"There's some sort of yucky cat scent coming from the pine trees over there." she mews.
"Well done. That's Shadowclan territory. It's where your father Tigerstar lives."
"Our father is Tigerstar?" yelps Bramblepaw.
Brackenfur casts his apprentice a sympathetic glance. "Yes he is. You were going to learn about the truth sometime. Cats in camp always spread news faster than you can say mouse."
"But that means…" Tawnypaw begins, "We're the kits of a traitor."
"You're also the kits of a loyal Thunderclan cat. Goldenflower. You've probably heard what your father did the night of the Gathering a moon ago."
"We did. A bunch of Riverclan cats were talking about all the awful things he did in order to assume power and why they can't trust Shadowclan until he is replaced." Tawnypaw mews.
"Then that means the look of hatred in our clanmates eyes…."
"Yes they come from what your father did. But when you work hard and strong, cats will forget who you are related to and will Tawnypaw and Bramblepaw for who you are, not who you are related to. You are not your father, either of you. I know those looks can be disheartening, I've experienced them before because of my…. relations with Silverstream."
"Featherpaw and Stormpaw's mother?" Bramblepaw asks, speaking again.
Graystripe nods, "Yes. But because I proved my loyalty my clanmates all trust me to be a good deputy."
"Graystripe's right. You are your own cats. Tigerstar is the mangy traitor not you two. I promise to do my best to teach you Bramblepaw to be a loyal Thunderclan cat."
"I can tell you don't hate us like the others, either of you." Bramblepaw puffs out his chest, "I will do my best to be a great apprentice and loyal warrior."
Tawnypaw nods, "So will I. You two believe in us, so I believe in us too."
He purrs, "I know you two will make us, your mother and Thunderclan very proud."