Post by 𝓣𝓲𝓷𝓾𝓿𝓲𝓮𝓵 on Jun 8, 2021 14:01:36 GMT -5
I've made my stance on Breezepelt's redemption quite obvious already, but I'm curious what you all think. I'm only going to focus from OotS onwards, with the exception of TFA since it's not really something that's made public in-universe anyway. So, onto Fading Echoes!
Omen of the Stars
Crowfeather's Trial
Aftermath
Not every cat has forgiven Breezepelt and probably never will, but do you think his redemption was handled well or was it forced?
Omen of the Stars
Right in the prologue, we get confirmation that Breezepelt is training in the Dark Forest because he wants to get revenge on Crowfeather.
In Night Whispers, it's shown that he wants the warrior code to be destroyed and is all for the Dark Forest destroying the Clans.
Nothing really changes, but The Forgotten Warrior shows that he cared about Antpelt enough to want to avenge him after Ivypool kills him a second time.
In The Last Hope, he advises not to go for an immediate kill and later supports the Dark Forest even after Brokenstar kills Beetlewhisker.
During the battle, he tries to attack a Clanmate.
And of course, there's the infamous confrontation scene.
After the Great Battle, Breezepelt is allowed to stay and clearly doesn't regret his actions.
“Some good moves, Hawkfrost.” The dark tabby nodded to the broad-shouldered warrior; then his gaze flicked to the black tom. “You’re getting better, Breezepelt, but you’ll need to be even quicker if you’re going to outfight stronger warriors. If you can’t match an opponent in weight, look to speed instead and use his weight against him.”
Breezepelt dipped his head. “I’ll work on it, Tigerstar.”
A fourth tom slid from the shadows. His silver stripes gleamed in the half-light as he wound around Tigerstar. “Hawkfrost can match any warrior,” he purred, smooth as honey. “There aren’t many cats with such skill and strength.”
Tigerstar curled his lip. “Quiet, Darkstripe!” he hissed. “Hawkfrost knows his own strengths.”
Darkstripe blinked. “I wasn’t—”
Tigerstar cut him off. “And there’s always room for improvement.”
A fifth cat slid from behind a tree, his night-colored pelt ragged against the smooth gray bark. “Hawkfrost depends too much on his strength,” he muttered. “Breezepelt too much on his speed. Together they would make a great warrior. Separately they are vulnerable.”
“Brokenstar.” Hawkfrost greeted the matted tabby with bared teeth. “Are we supposed to take advice from the warrior who failed to silence Jayfeather?”
Brokenstar twitched the tip of his tail. “I did not expect StarClan to fight so hard to save him.”
“Never underestimate your enemy.” Hawkfrost stretched his forepaw, wincing.
Breezepelt licked the deep scratches along his flank, his tongue reddening with his own blood.
“We must be ready,” Tigerstar growled. “It’s not enough to be able to beat one enemy at a time. We must train until we can take on a whole patrol single-pawed.”
Breezepelt looked up from his wound, his eyes flashing. “I can already beat Harespring and Leaftail in training.”
Tigerstar’s eyes darkened. “Training is one thing. Warriors fight harder when they’re defending their lives.”
Breezepelt clawed the ground. “I can fight harder.”
Tigerstar nodded. “You have more reason than most.”
A growl rose in Breezepelt’s throat.
“You have been wronged,” Tigerstar meowed softly.
Breezepelt’s young face looked kitlike in the gloom. “You’re the only ones who seem to realize that.”
“I have told you that you must seek vengeance,” Tigerstar reminded him. “With our help, you can take revenge on every cat who has betrayed you.”
Breezepelt’s gaze grew hungry as the dark warrior went on.
“And on every cat who stood by and did nothing while others claimed what was yours as their own.”
“Starting with Crowfeather.” Breezepelt snarled his father’s name.
Brokenstar swished his crooked tail through the air. “What did your father do to defend you?” His words were laced with bitterness, as though soured by his own memories.
Darkstripe slunk forward. “He never valued you.”
Tigerstar shooed the striped warrior back with a flick of his tail. “He tried to crush you, make you weak.”
“He didn’t succeed,” Breezepelt spat.
“But he tried. Perhaps he valued his ThunderClan kits more. Those three kits should never have been born.” Tigerstar padded toward the young warrior, his eyes gleaming, holding Breezepelt’s gaze like a snake mesmerizing its prey. “You have been suckled on lies and the weakness of others. You have suffered while others have thrived. But you are strong. You will put things right. Your father betrayed his Clan and betrayed you. Leafpool betrayed StarClan by taking a mate.”
Breezepelt’s tail was lashing. “I will make them all pay for what they have done.” No heat fired his gaze, only cold hatred. “I will have vengeance on each and every one of them.”
Brokenstar pushed forward. “You are a noble warrior, Breezepelt. You cannot live a life spawned on lies. Loyalty to the warrior code runs too strong in your blood.”
“Not like those weaklings,” Breezepelt agreed.
Breezepelt dipped his head. “I’ll work on it, Tigerstar.”
A fourth tom slid from the shadows. His silver stripes gleamed in the half-light as he wound around Tigerstar. “Hawkfrost can match any warrior,” he purred, smooth as honey. “There aren’t many cats with such skill and strength.”
Tigerstar curled his lip. “Quiet, Darkstripe!” he hissed. “Hawkfrost knows his own strengths.”
Darkstripe blinked. “I wasn’t—”
Tigerstar cut him off. “And there’s always room for improvement.”
A fifth cat slid from behind a tree, his night-colored pelt ragged against the smooth gray bark. “Hawkfrost depends too much on his strength,” he muttered. “Breezepelt too much on his speed. Together they would make a great warrior. Separately they are vulnerable.”
“Brokenstar.” Hawkfrost greeted the matted tabby with bared teeth. “Are we supposed to take advice from the warrior who failed to silence Jayfeather?”
Brokenstar twitched the tip of his tail. “I did not expect StarClan to fight so hard to save him.”
“Never underestimate your enemy.” Hawkfrost stretched his forepaw, wincing.
Breezepelt licked the deep scratches along his flank, his tongue reddening with his own blood.
“We must be ready,” Tigerstar growled. “It’s not enough to be able to beat one enemy at a time. We must train until we can take on a whole patrol single-pawed.”
Breezepelt looked up from his wound, his eyes flashing. “I can already beat Harespring and Leaftail in training.”
Tigerstar’s eyes darkened. “Training is one thing. Warriors fight harder when they’re defending their lives.”
Breezepelt clawed the ground. “I can fight harder.”
Tigerstar nodded. “You have more reason than most.”
A growl rose in Breezepelt’s throat.
“You have been wronged,” Tigerstar meowed softly.
Breezepelt’s young face looked kitlike in the gloom. “You’re the only ones who seem to realize that.”
“I have told you that you must seek vengeance,” Tigerstar reminded him. “With our help, you can take revenge on every cat who has betrayed you.”
Breezepelt’s gaze grew hungry as the dark warrior went on.
“And on every cat who stood by and did nothing while others claimed what was yours as their own.”
“Starting with Crowfeather.” Breezepelt snarled his father’s name.
Brokenstar swished his crooked tail through the air. “What did your father do to defend you?” His words were laced with bitterness, as though soured by his own memories.
Darkstripe slunk forward. “He never valued you.”
Tigerstar shooed the striped warrior back with a flick of his tail. “He tried to crush you, make you weak.”
“He didn’t succeed,” Breezepelt spat.
“But he tried. Perhaps he valued his ThunderClan kits more. Those three kits should never have been born.” Tigerstar padded toward the young warrior, his eyes gleaming, holding Breezepelt’s gaze like a snake mesmerizing its prey. “You have been suckled on lies and the weakness of others. You have suffered while others have thrived. But you are strong. You will put things right. Your father betrayed his Clan and betrayed you. Leafpool betrayed StarClan by taking a mate.”
Breezepelt’s tail was lashing. “I will make them all pay for what they have done.” No heat fired his gaze, only cold hatred. “I will have vengeance on each and every one of them.”
Brokenstar pushed forward. “You are a noble warrior, Breezepelt. You cannot live a life spawned on lies. Loyalty to the warrior code runs too strong in your blood.”
“Not like those weaklings,” Breezepelt agreed.
In Night Whispers, it's shown that he wants the warrior code to be destroyed and is all for the Dark Forest destroying the Clans.
Then Breezepelt’s mew rose from the shadows. “I wish I’d fought in the battle today.” The WindClan warrior sounded tense with frustration. “I’d have fought on your side if I’d been given the chance.” Who is he talking to?
Jayfeather tasted the air, reaching through the foul tastes of the Dark Forest and shuddering as he recognized a ShadowClan scent. Breezepelt was swearing allegiance to a ShadowClan cat!
Another shape moved between the trees. Jayfeather spotted the long dark spine moving through the mist like a snake. Yellowfang had given this cat a name on his last visit to the Dark Forest—a name she had spat from her tongue like poison.
Brokenstar.
“Don’t worry, Breezepelt,” the black-furred warrior growled. “There’ll be many more chances to fight. We’ll destroy the warrior code. Once it’s gone, there’ll be no limit to what we can achieve.”
Breezepelt growled excitedly as Brokenstar went on. “With no mouse-hearted rules telling us what to do, we can rebuild the Clans stronger than ever.”
Jayfeather tasted the air, reaching through the foul tastes of the Dark Forest and shuddering as he recognized a ShadowClan scent. Breezepelt was swearing allegiance to a ShadowClan cat!
Another shape moved between the trees. Jayfeather spotted the long dark spine moving through the mist like a snake. Yellowfang had given this cat a name on his last visit to the Dark Forest—a name she had spat from her tongue like poison.
Brokenstar.
“Don’t worry, Breezepelt,” the black-furred warrior growled. “There’ll be many more chances to fight. We’ll destroy the warrior code. Once it’s gone, there’ll be no limit to what we can achieve.”
Breezepelt growled excitedly as Brokenstar went on. “With no mouse-hearted rules telling us what to do, we can rebuild the Clans stronger than ever.”
“The day is nearing!” Tigerstar’s growl became a hiss. “We are going to invade the world of the Clans and destroy them and their warrior code, once and for all.”
Ivypaw felt Antpelt tense beside her. Was he shocked? She searched his face, then Hollowpaw’s and Breezepelt’s. Their eyes were shining! It was as if they were truly Dark Forest warriors. Struggling to hide her horror, Ivypaw scanned the clearing. Cats filled every tail length, yowling in fury.
Ivypaw felt Antpelt tense beside her. Was he shocked? She searched his face, then Hollowpaw’s and Breezepelt’s. Their eyes were shining! It was as if they were truly Dark Forest warriors. Struggling to hide her horror, Ivypaw scanned the clearing. Cats filled every tail length, yowling in fury.
Nothing really changes, but The Forgotten Warrior shows that he cared about Antpelt enough to want to avenge him after Ivypool kills him a second time.
A heartbeat later she was aware of another cat approaching, and looked up to see Breezepelt. The WindClan warrior was staring at her in horror. “What happened to Antpelt?” he whispered. “Did… did you kill him again?”
Ivypool wanted to tell him that she had been forced to kill Antpelt, that she only did it for the sake of the Clans. And I’ve saved him from something worse. But she knew that she was still being watched by the leaders of the Dark Forest; she could feel the prickle of their intent gaze in her fur.
“It was necessary,” she replied with a shrug. “In the end, my loyalty was greater than his.”
Breezepelt took a pace forward and loomed over her. “We may be in the same Clan here, but I am not your Clanmate,” he snarled. “You will be punished for this. Wait and see.”
Ivypool wanted to tell him that she had been forced to kill Antpelt, that she only did it for the sake of the Clans. And I’ve saved him from something worse. But she knew that she was still being watched by the leaders of the Dark Forest; she could feel the prickle of their intent gaze in her fur.
“It was necessary,” she replied with a shrug. “In the end, my loyalty was greater than his.”
Breezepelt took a pace forward and loomed over her. “We may be in the same Clan here, but I am not your Clanmate,” he snarled. “You will be punished for this. Wait and see.”
In The Last Hope, he advises not to go for an immediate kill and later supports the Dark Forest even after Brokenstar kills Beetlewhisker.
“Not straight for the throat!” Breezepelt of WindClan snarled. “Death shouldn’t come too quickly.
We must terrify our enemies before we kill them.”
We must terrify our enemies before we kill them.”
“Why would I leave the strongest Clan?” Breezepelt lifted his head. “My Clan wastes too much time looking after the sick and old. If you led us, we’d never have to beg another Clan for help again.”
During the battle, he tries to attack a Clanmate.
“No!” As Breezepelt reared up to attack a WindClan warrior, Ivypool launched herself at him. Smashing into Breezepelt’s flank, she sent him flying. “You can’t fight for the Dark Forest!”
“Are you crazy?” Breezepelt struggled free and stared at her. “This is what we’ve been training for!”
“Are you crazy?” Breezepelt struggled free and stared at her. “This is what we’ve been training for!”
Pain scorched through her. As she flung the tom off, the thorn barrier rattled. Crowfeather leaped
into the hollow, Breezepelt on his tail.
into the hollow, Breezepelt on his tail.
And of course, there's the infamous confrontation scene.
“Look out!” Dovewing shrieked a warning as Breezepelt flew from the edge of the clearing.
Lionblaze turned, caught off balance, and fell beneath the WindClan tom.
Breezepelt ripped his claws along Lionblaze’s cheek. “You’re not as strong as I expected,” he gloated.
“Breezepelt, no!” Ivypool snaked through the throng. “Don’t do it! Please! Do you really want to destroy the Clans for Brokenstar’s sake?”
Breezepelt pulled back Lionblaze’s head and smacked it hard against the ground. Growling, Lionblaze tried to shake him off, but Breezepelt held on tighter.
“This has nothing to do with Brokenstar.” His gaze flashed at Ivypool. “Lionblaze should never have been born. None of them should.” He flicked his tail triumphantly toward Hollyleaf’s body. “She’s dead; now it’s your turn, Lionblaze.” He bit into Lionblaze’s neck.
“We’re kin!” Lionblaze gasped.
“Never!” Fury blazed in Breezepelt’s eyes.
A black pelt barged past Dovewing. Crowfeather! The WindClan warrior sank his claws deep into Breezepelt’s shoulders and hauled him back. Lionblaze scrambled to his paws.
“This has to stop!” Crowfeather pinned Breezepelt to the ground. “I will not watch you harm a whisker on that cat!”
Breezepelt writhed, snarling. “I always knew you hated me!”
“I never hated you!” Crowfeather growled. “That’s just what you were determined to believe. And Nightcloud encouraged you.”
“It’s not her fault!” Breezepelt spat.
“No,” Crowfeather hissed. “I should have done something much earlier. But now it’s too late. You chose the Dark Forest.” He hauled Breezepelt to his paws and flung him away. “Get out of here!”
Breezepelt stared at his father, eyes wide, then turned and raced from the camp.
“I’m so sorry!” Leafpool burst from the battle, her eyes clouded with grief. “I never meant for this to happen!”
“He’s a warrior,” Crowfeather hissed. “He’s been making his own choices for a long time now.”
Leafpool looked down at his paws. “Perhaps if we’d stayed together, things would be different.”
Crowfeather’s gaze sparked for a moment, then he sighed. “It was never meant to be.” Leafpool flinched, but Crowfeather touched his tail to her flank. “I don’t regret anything,” he murmured. His gaze flicked toward Lionblaze. “Nothing at all.” Ears twitching, he shouldered his way through the battle to the brambles sheltering Hollyleaf’s body. He slid beneath them and touched his muzzle to her lifeless pelt.
Lionblaze turned, caught off balance, and fell beneath the WindClan tom.
Breezepelt ripped his claws along Lionblaze’s cheek. “You’re not as strong as I expected,” he gloated.
“Breezepelt, no!” Ivypool snaked through the throng. “Don’t do it! Please! Do you really want to destroy the Clans for Brokenstar’s sake?”
Breezepelt pulled back Lionblaze’s head and smacked it hard against the ground. Growling, Lionblaze tried to shake him off, but Breezepelt held on tighter.
“This has nothing to do with Brokenstar.” His gaze flashed at Ivypool. “Lionblaze should never have been born. None of them should.” He flicked his tail triumphantly toward Hollyleaf’s body. “She’s dead; now it’s your turn, Lionblaze.” He bit into Lionblaze’s neck.
“We’re kin!” Lionblaze gasped.
“Never!” Fury blazed in Breezepelt’s eyes.
A black pelt barged past Dovewing. Crowfeather! The WindClan warrior sank his claws deep into Breezepelt’s shoulders and hauled him back. Lionblaze scrambled to his paws.
“This has to stop!” Crowfeather pinned Breezepelt to the ground. “I will not watch you harm a whisker on that cat!”
Breezepelt writhed, snarling. “I always knew you hated me!”
“I never hated you!” Crowfeather growled. “That’s just what you were determined to believe. And Nightcloud encouraged you.”
“It’s not her fault!” Breezepelt spat.
“No,” Crowfeather hissed. “I should have done something much earlier. But now it’s too late. You chose the Dark Forest.” He hauled Breezepelt to his paws and flung him away. “Get out of here!”
Breezepelt stared at his father, eyes wide, then turned and raced from the camp.
“I’m so sorry!” Leafpool burst from the battle, her eyes clouded with grief. “I never meant for this to happen!”
“He’s a warrior,” Crowfeather hissed. “He’s been making his own choices for a long time now.”
Leafpool looked down at his paws. “Perhaps if we’d stayed together, things would be different.”
Crowfeather’s gaze sparked for a moment, then he sighed. “It was never meant to be.” Leafpool flinched, but Crowfeather touched his tail to her flank. “I don’t regret anything,” he murmured. His gaze flicked toward Lionblaze. “Nothing at all.” Ears twitching, he shouldered his way through the battle to the brambles sheltering Hollyleaf’s body. He slid beneath them and touched his muzzle to her lifeless pelt.
After the Great Battle, Breezepelt is allowed to stay and clearly doesn't regret his actions.
Onestar arrived before the ThunderClan cats had finished settling. He was accompanied by his medicine cat, Kestrelflight, and Breezepelt. The black warrior’s eyes flashed defiantly. He clearly doesn’t think he’s done anything wrong, Dovewing thought.
[...]
Mistystar raised her head. “As you know, Beetlewhisker and Hollowflight were killed in the battle, so they cannot answer for anything they have done. Icewing knows her loyalty was tested by the Dark Forest, and that she failed. But she has learned from this and I do not doubt her now. She has always been a good warrior. I would like to give her the chance to be one again.”
“The same goes for Breezepelt,” Onestar declared. “We suffered great losses during the battle. Why should I want to punish one of my few remaining warriors? We need Breezepelt on patrol, not wasted because of something that has finished.”
[...]
Breezepelt was looking smug and Dovewing felt an urge to rake his ears. She was sure he hadn’t wanted to be a better WindClan warrior. He had wanted power and strength, that was all. Birchfall leaned toward Dovewing as if he could read her thoughts. “If one of us is to be forgiven, all must be forgiven,” he mewed.
Blackstar heaved himself to his paws. “You have spoken well,” he rasped. “It’s Ivypool, isn’t it?” He peered at her, his eyes cloudy. “But I saw my own Clanmates attack each other. How was that being loyal, or a better warrior?”
“We were promised a different way to serve our Clan,” Ivypool insisted.
“I believe you,” Mistystar meowed. “Thank you, Ivypool.”
Onestar traced his forepaw in the dust. “I don’t need to know why Breezepelt made his choices. I only need to trust him from now on. Which I do.”
Blackstar shook his great white head. “I don’t know if I can agree with this.” He avoided looking at Tigerheart and Ratscar, who were staring at him in dismay. Dovewing felt a pang of alarm. What would happen to Tigerheart? She knew he was loyal to ShadowClan.
“It seems we all feel differently about these cats,” Blackstar went on. He sounded confused, as if he couldn’t understand why the alliance between the four Clans had melted away.
“With good reason,” Bramblestar meowed. He looked at Breezepelt. “There is at least one warrior here who attacked ThunderClan cats alongside the Dark Forest warriors. I cannot see that as anything but a betrayal of the warrior code.”
“Breezepelt never turned against his own Clanmates,” Onestar mewed. “That is the essence of the warrior code, surely? And he is my warrior, so it is up to me what happens to him.”
[...]
Mistystar raised her head. “As you know, Beetlewhisker and Hollowflight were killed in the battle, so they cannot answer for anything they have done. Icewing knows her loyalty was tested by the Dark Forest, and that she failed. But she has learned from this and I do not doubt her now. She has always been a good warrior. I would like to give her the chance to be one again.”
“The same goes for Breezepelt,” Onestar declared. “We suffered great losses during the battle. Why should I want to punish one of my few remaining warriors? We need Breezepelt on patrol, not wasted because of something that has finished.”
[...]
Breezepelt was looking smug and Dovewing felt an urge to rake his ears. She was sure he hadn’t wanted to be a better WindClan warrior. He had wanted power and strength, that was all. Birchfall leaned toward Dovewing as if he could read her thoughts. “If one of us is to be forgiven, all must be forgiven,” he mewed.
Blackstar heaved himself to his paws. “You have spoken well,” he rasped. “It’s Ivypool, isn’t it?” He peered at her, his eyes cloudy. “But I saw my own Clanmates attack each other. How was that being loyal, or a better warrior?”
“We were promised a different way to serve our Clan,” Ivypool insisted.
“I believe you,” Mistystar meowed. “Thank you, Ivypool.”
Onestar traced his forepaw in the dust. “I don’t need to know why Breezepelt made his choices. I only need to trust him from now on. Which I do.”
Blackstar shook his great white head. “I don’t know if I can agree with this.” He avoided looking at Tigerheart and Ratscar, who were staring at him in dismay. Dovewing felt a pang of alarm. What would happen to Tigerheart? She knew he was loyal to ShadowClan.
“It seems we all feel differently about these cats,” Blackstar went on. He sounded confused, as if he couldn’t understand why the alliance between the four Clans had melted away.
“With good reason,” Bramblestar meowed. He looked at Breezepelt. “There is at least one warrior here who attacked ThunderClan cats alongside the Dark Forest warriors. I cannot see that as anything but a betrayal of the warrior code.”
“Breezepelt never turned against his own Clanmates,” Onestar mewed. “That is the essence of the warrior code, surely? And he is my warrior, so it is up to me what happens to him.”
Crowfeather's Trial
Finally, we get to Breezepelt's redemption arc. The first time we see him, he's mentioned as looking angry and uncomfortable and that it'll take time for the Clan to trust him again.
Throughout the book, Breezepelt is shown to still be close with Nightcloud and Heathertail, and Onestar continuously urges Crowfeather to make amends with his son.
In terms of specific deeds, Breezepelt agrees to go on a mission to investigate the tunnels.
After Nightcloud gets separated from him, most of the Clan is convinced that Breezepelt intentionally abandoned her, with Leaftail, Weaselfur, and Crouchfoot being the most vocal about their mistrust; Heathertail, Emberfoot, and Sedgewhisker don't believe it and Weaselfur eventually comes to trust him, while Gorsetail is at least willing to put aside her disdain of him to help search for Nightcloud, though it is noted that she appears to be more relaxed before they go.
When Onestar first agrees to set up a search party to go find Nightcloud, he volunteers.
During the search, he also saves Heathertail from the stoats. Crowfeather also slowly starts to trust him as well, to the point of thinking that Breezepelt is the key to saving WindClan.
Breezepelt is also among the cats who rescue Nightcloud, and sometime after this, he explains to Crowfeather why he trained in the Dark Forest in the first place.
Later, he comes up with a plan to drive put the stoats.
During the fight against the stoats, Breezepelt ends up saving Lionblaze and they later talk.
When Crowfeather apologizes to Jayfeather, the latter makes it clear that he doesn't forgive either him or Breezepelt, but later gives him the burdock root.
Later, when Rowanclaw says that the trainees still have alot to make up for, Lionblaze defends them.
Onestar began to speak again, but it was hard for Crowfeather to concentrate when he spotted his son Breezepelt hovering on the fringe, his expression angry and uncomfortable. Like he always looks, Crowfeather thought bitterly. His mind drifted inexorably back to the Great Battle, especially how he’d had to sink his claws into Breezepelt’s shoulders and haul him back to keep him from killing his half brother Lionblaze.
He knew that Onestar had forgiven Breezepelt, as well as all the other cats who had trained in the Dark Forest. They had each taken a new oath of loyalty to WindClan. But Crowfeather knew that the rest of the Clan wasn’t as eager to forgive as their Clan leader, and the cat they were finding it hardest to forgive was Breezepelt. Even now he could see suspicious looks directed toward his son and knew that he would hear whispers once they had returned to camp.
All the other Dark Forest warriors had come to their senses and fought beside their Clan—all except Breezepelt. He had actually stood with the Dark Forest; he had fought on their side.
It would be many moons before that was forgotten.
As Crowfeather watched his son, Breezepelt turned his head, and for a heartbeat their gazes locked. Breezepelt’s gaze was dark with anger and confusion. Then Crowfeather glanced away, not wanting Breezepelt to see the mixture of guilt and disgust he could feel in his eyes.
He knew that Onestar had forgiven Breezepelt, as well as all the other cats who had trained in the Dark Forest. They had each taken a new oath of loyalty to WindClan. But Crowfeather knew that the rest of the Clan wasn’t as eager to forgive as their Clan leader, and the cat they were finding it hardest to forgive was Breezepelt. Even now he could see suspicious looks directed toward his son and knew that he would hear whispers once they had returned to camp.
All the other Dark Forest warriors had come to their senses and fought beside their Clan—all except Breezepelt. He had actually stood with the Dark Forest; he had fought on their side.
It would be many moons before that was forgotten.
As Crowfeather watched his son, Breezepelt turned his head, and for a heartbeat their gazes locked. Breezepelt’s gaze was dark with anger and confusion. Then Crowfeather glanced away, not wanting Breezepelt to see the mixture of guilt and disgust he could feel in his eyes.
Throughout the book, Breezepelt is shown to still be close with Nightcloud and Heathertail, and Onestar continuously urges Crowfeather to make amends with his son.
In terms of specific deeds, Breezepelt agrees to go on a mission to investigate the tunnels.
“If we might be fighting Dark Forest ghost cats,” Crouchfoot muttered, “then we should send Breezepelt.”
Crowfeather glanced across at his son and saw that his face wore the wounded, angry look that was so familiar now. Clearly Crouchfoot’s words had hurt him.
But Crowfeather also knew that this was a challenge Breezepelt would not want to meet. As a young cat, he had been caught in a flood that had raged in the tunnels, and he had been terrified of them ever since.
Crowfeather felt a pang of sympathy for him and was about to open his jaws to defend his son when, to his surprise, Breezepelt stepped forward, his chest puffed out proudly. “Yes,” he meowed. “I will go.”
Onestar looked impressed, dipping his head toward Breezepelt. “There speaks a true WindClan warrior,” he announced to the others.
How about that. Crowfeather was surprised to see Breezepelt volunteering for such a dangerous task—and a little bit impressed. But from elsewhere around the Tallrock came murmurs of disapproval; clearly not all the cats agreed with their leader’s praise.
Crowfeather glanced across at his son and saw that his face wore the wounded, angry look that was so familiar now. Clearly Crouchfoot’s words had hurt him.
But Crowfeather also knew that this was a challenge Breezepelt would not want to meet. As a young cat, he had been caught in a flood that had raged in the tunnels, and he had been terrified of them ever since.
Crowfeather felt a pang of sympathy for him and was about to open his jaws to defend his son when, to his surprise, Breezepelt stepped forward, his chest puffed out proudly. “Yes,” he meowed. “I will go.”
Onestar looked impressed, dipping his head toward Breezepelt. “There speaks a true WindClan warrior,” he announced to the others.
How about that. Crowfeather was surprised to see Breezepelt volunteering for such a dangerous task—and a little bit impressed. But from elsewhere around the Tallrock came murmurs of disapproval; clearly not all the cats agreed with their leader’s praise.
After Nightcloud gets separated from him, most of the Clan is convinced that Breezepelt intentionally abandoned her, with Leaftail, Weaselfur, and Crouchfoot being the most vocal about their mistrust; Heathertail, Emberfoot, and Sedgewhisker don't believe it and Weaselfur eventually comes to trust him, while Gorsetail is at least willing to put aside her disdain of him to help search for Nightcloud, though it is noted that she appears to be more relaxed before they go.
When Onestar first agrees to set up a search party to go find Nightcloud, he volunteers.
Breezepelt raised his head, the light of resolve in his eyes. “I’m going too,” he stated, with a glare at Crowfeather as if daring him to tell him he couldn’t.
But it was Crouchfoot who objected. “You don’t have to.”
“I am going.” Breezepelt spat out each word. “Nightcloud is my mother.”
But it was Crouchfoot who objected. “You don’t have to.”
“I am going.” Breezepelt spat out each word. “Nightcloud is my mother.”
During the search, he also saves Heathertail from the stoats. Crowfeather also slowly starts to trust him as well, to the point of thinking that Breezepelt is the key to saving WindClan.
“When you had your vision at the medicine cats’ meeting,” he meowed thoughtfully, “StarClan must have been warning us about the stoats in the tunnels, but . . . surely the vision seems more complicated than that? Do you think there could be more to it? That the stoats are just the first problem we’ll face?”
Kestrelflight let out a weary sigh. “I’ve been wondering the same thing, ever since it happened,” he replied. “The stoats could have crept onto our territory at any time while we were recovering after the Great Battle, but even so, they’re the sort of enemy that the Clan should have been able to deal with easily.”
Crowfeather nodded. “That’s true. That skirmish shouldn’t have gone so badly. We should never have lost Nightcloud.”
“That’s what makes me wonder what the vision of water means,” Kestrelflight continued. “At first I thought that the way the wind drove back the water meant that WindClan would win a victory, but there was a second surge, and no wind to defeat that. Does that mean WindClan will be defeated? And what will that mean for the other Clans? Will we have to face the teeth and claws of another enemy, whether that’s the stoats or some other hostile force lurking in the darkness?”
“I’ve wondered the same,” Crowfeather admitted. “Well, what the second surge means—and if it implies we should be working with the other Clans.” A chill ran through Crowfeather from ears to tail-tip as he considered the medicine cat’s words. He asked himself whether this hostile force in the darkness could be Breezepelt’s rage and bitterness, lurking within him.
But the wind in Kestrelflight’s dream did have an effect on the first flood that threatened to drown their camp. Maybe that meant there was a chance of victory.
And a breeze is a type of wind. . . . Hope and excitement warred with disbelief inside Crowfeather, swelling just as the dawn light grew in the sky above the moor. What if the wind in Kestrelflight’s vision didn’t mean the whole of WindClan, but just referred to Breezepelt? A breeze is a soft, weak wind, for sure, but . . . what if Breezepelt is to play a role in saving us?
Could there be a better redemption?
Kestrelflight let out a weary sigh. “I’ve been wondering the same thing, ever since it happened,” he replied. “The stoats could have crept onto our territory at any time while we were recovering after the Great Battle, but even so, they’re the sort of enemy that the Clan should have been able to deal with easily.”
Crowfeather nodded. “That’s true. That skirmish shouldn’t have gone so badly. We should never have lost Nightcloud.”
“That’s what makes me wonder what the vision of water means,” Kestrelflight continued. “At first I thought that the way the wind drove back the water meant that WindClan would win a victory, but there was a second surge, and no wind to defeat that. Does that mean WindClan will be defeated? And what will that mean for the other Clans? Will we have to face the teeth and claws of another enemy, whether that’s the stoats or some other hostile force lurking in the darkness?”
“I’ve wondered the same,” Crowfeather admitted. “Well, what the second surge means—and if it implies we should be working with the other Clans.” A chill ran through Crowfeather from ears to tail-tip as he considered the medicine cat’s words. He asked himself whether this hostile force in the darkness could be Breezepelt’s rage and bitterness, lurking within him.
But the wind in Kestrelflight’s dream did have an effect on the first flood that threatened to drown their camp. Maybe that meant there was a chance of victory.
And a breeze is a type of wind. . . . Hope and excitement warred with disbelief inside Crowfeather, swelling just as the dawn light grew in the sky above the moor. What if the wind in Kestrelflight’s vision didn’t mean the whole of WindClan, but just referred to Breezepelt? A breeze is a soft, weak wind, for sure, but . . . what if Breezepelt is to play a role in saving us?
Could there be a better redemption?
Breezepelt is also among the cats who rescue Nightcloud, and sometime after this, he explains to Crowfeather why he trained in the Dark Forest in the first place.
“I trained with the Dark Forest to become a stronger warrior,” Breezepelt explained at last. “I needed some cat to believe in me, and the Dark Forest cats did—or at least they seemed to. But I wasn’t fighting
against the Clans. I’ll always be a WindClan cat first. This battle with the stoats is my chance to prove myself,” he finished resolutely.
against the Clans. I’ll always be a WindClan cat first. This battle with the stoats is my chance to prove myself,” he finished resolutely.
Later, he comes up with a plan to drive put the stoats.
“I’ve got a better idea.” Breezepelt spoke loudly, and Crowfeather suspected he wanted to distract Heathertail’s attention from the golden ThunderClan warrior. He didn’t even look at Lionblaze, as if his half brother weren’t there at all. “Instead of endangering several cats by trying to drive the stoats out of the tunnels—and maybe driving them over to ThunderClan—why not send in one cat to attack a stoat and draw the others out?”
Lionblaze huffed out his breath. “Are you suggesting we put a lone cat into danger?” he meowed to Breezepelt. “Or are you volunteering to go confront the stoats yourself?”
Breezepelt turned his head to stare at him. “Of course I’m volunteering,” he responded instantly. “Mouse-brain,” he added under his breath, only loud enough for Crowfeather and perhaps Nightcloud to hear.
Crowfeather clamped his jaws shut, not allowing himself to intervene. He felt intensely proud of Breezepelt, but the thought of his son venturing alone into the stoat-infested tunnels made every hair on his pelt bristle with fear.
Then he remembered how he had once thought that a breeze was a kind of wind, driving back the engulfing water in Kestrelflight’s vision. Perhaps Breezepelt was the cat destined to take this risk and save his Clan.
“Are you sure?” Onestar asked Breezepelt.
Breezepelt nodded. “I promised at the Gathering that I would prove myself a loyal warrior,” he declared. “Now I’m fulfilling that promise.”
Lionblaze huffed out his breath. “Are you suggesting we put a lone cat into danger?” he meowed to Breezepelt. “Or are you volunteering to go confront the stoats yourself?”
Breezepelt turned his head to stare at him. “Of course I’m volunteering,” he responded instantly. “Mouse-brain,” he added under his breath, only loud enough for Crowfeather and perhaps Nightcloud to hear.
Crowfeather clamped his jaws shut, not allowing himself to intervene. He felt intensely proud of Breezepelt, but the thought of his son venturing alone into the stoat-infested tunnels made every hair on his pelt bristle with fear.
Then he remembered how he had once thought that a breeze was a kind of wind, driving back the engulfing water in Kestrelflight’s vision. Perhaps Breezepelt was the cat destined to take this risk and save his Clan.
“Are you sure?” Onestar asked Breezepelt.
Breezepelt nodded. “I promised at the Gathering that I would prove myself a loyal warrior,” he declared. “Now I’m fulfilling that promise.”
During the fight against the stoats, Breezepelt ends up saving Lionblaze and they later talk.
Crowfeather’s reflections were interrupted by a screech of pain. Glancing over his shoulder he saw Lionblaze fall, the golden tabby warrior overwhelmed beneath a swarm of stoats. Crowfeather leaped toward him, only to run into what felt like a solid wall of wiry white bodies. He tried to fight his way through, but too many of them surrounded him. A throb of terror for his ThunderClan son pulsed through Crowfeather; he couldn’t reach Lionblaze to help.
He was thrusting vainly against the tide, knowing he would be too late, when Breezepelt leaped into the battle, seeming to come from nowhere. Crowfeather could see that he was bleeding from several wounds, but they hadn’t sapped his energy. He grabbed two of the stoats on top of Lionblaze, shaking them and ripping out their throats.
Lionblaze managed to stumble to his paws. He and Breezepelt stared at each other uncomfortably for a moment, then turned away, back to the battle.
[...]
Crowfeather looked around for Breezepelt and spotted him standing a couple of fox-lengths away, licking a wound on his shoulder. Before Crowfeather could join him, he saw Lionblaze limping toward him. Crowfeather held back while his two sons confronted each other.
“Thank you for helping me,” Lionblaze began, halting a pace or two in front of Breezepelt. His gaze and his tone were wary. “But why did you? You said I should never have been born. You wanted me dead.”
Breezepelt looked up at him, equally awkward. His eyes were guilty as he replied. “I should never have listened to the Dark Forest cats,” he mewed stiffly. “You’re a Clan cat, and my loyalty should be to the Clans.”
Crowfeather realized that this was as close as Breezepelt was ever going to get to an apology for attacking Lionblaze during the Great Battle. He felt his muscles tense as he waited for Lionblaze’s response, aware for the first time of how much he wanted his two sons to get along. Come on, he urged Lionblaze silently. Accept his apology!
Clearly, Lionblaze knew how hard it was for Breezepelt to say even so much. “You fought well,” he meowed reluctantly. “I’m glad we were on the same side this time.”
The two toms stared at each other and exchanged an awkward, jerky nod before each of them quickly turned back to his own Clan.
He was thrusting vainly against the tide, knowing he would be too late, when Breezepelt leaped into the battle, seeming to come from nowhere. Crowfeather could see that he was bleeding from several wounds, but they hadn’t sapped his energy. He grabbed two of the stoats on top of Lionblaze, shaking them and ripping out their throats.
Lionblaze managed to stumble to his paws. He and Breezepelt stared at each other uncomfortably for a moment, then turned away, back to the battle.
[...]
Crowfeather looked around for Breezepelt and spotted him standing a couple of fox-lengths away, licking a wound on his shoulder. Before Crowfeather could join him, he saw Lionblaze limping toward him. Crowfeather held back while his two sons confronted each other.
“Thank you for helping me,” Lionblaze began, halting a pace or two in front of Breezepelt. His gaze and his tone were wary. “But why did you? You said I should never have been born. You wanted me dead.”
Breezepelt looked up at him, equally awkward. His eyes were guilty as he replied. “I should never have listened to the Dark Forest cats,” he mewed stiffly. “You’re a Clan cat, and my loyalty should be to the Clans.”
Crowfeather realized that this was as close as Breezepelt was ever going to get to an apology for attacking Lionblaze during the Great Battle. He felt his muscles tense as he waited for Lionblaze’s response, aware for the first time of how much he wanted his two sons to get along. Come on, he urged Lionblaze silently. Accept his apology!
Clearly, Lionblaze knew how hard it was for Breezepelt to say even so much. “You fought well,” he meowed reluctantly. “I’m glad we were on the same side this time.”
The two toms stared at each other and exchanged an awkward, jerky nod before each of them quickly turned back to his own Clan.
When Crowfeather apologizes to Jayfeather, the latter makes it clear that he doesn't forgive either him or Breezepelt, but later gives him the burdock root.
Jayfeather interrupted again, every word spat out as if it were rotting crow-food. “Breezepelt tried to kill my brother. He said he was glad that Hollyleaf was dead, and that none of us should ever have been born. Lionblaze might have forgiven Breezepelt, but Lionblaze is a nicer cat than I am. Or a more stupid one.” His blind eyes glared at Crowfeather, the pelt on his scrawny figure bushing out. “I can’t forgive Breezepelt. I can’t forgive you. And I don’t have any burdock root to spare.”
[...]
“I still don’t forgive you,” Jayfeather mewed. “Everything I said is still true. But I’m a medicine cat, and I can’t just let a cat die when I could save him. Not even Breezepelt. So here is the burdock root.”
[...]
“I still don’t forgive you,” Jayfeather mewed. “Everything I said is still true. But I’m a medicine cat, and I can’t just let a cat die when I could save him. Not even Breezepelt. So here is the burdock root.”
Later, when Rowanclaw says that the trainees still have alot to make up for, Lionblaze defends them.
“I must also mention the cats who fought with special bravery and deserve our collective thanks,” Onestar went on. “From ThunderClan, Mousewhisker, Birchfall, Thornclaw, and Blossomfall; from WindClan, Harespring, Larkwing, Whiskernose, and Breezepelt.”
As Onestar spoke the names, a murmur arose from the gathered cats, as they realized that these were the cats who had trained with the Dark Forest behind their Clanmates’ backs.
As soon as Onestar had finished speaking, Rowanclaw, the ShadowClan deputy, sprang to his paws from where he sat on the roots of the Great Oak. Crowfeather felt dread rise in his belly, knowing very well that Rowanclaw was about to disrupt the spirit of friendship that was growing among the Clans.
“So they should fight bravely!” he snapped. “They’ve got a lot to make up for before any cat trusts them again.”
Bramblestar rose, glaring down at Rowanclaw, but before he could speak, Lionblaze leaped up and faced the ShadowClan deputy.
“Shame on you, Rowanclaw!” he meowed. “Every cat knows that those cats were tricked. They thought they were becoming stronger warriors to protect their Clans. They’ve taken an oath of loyalty, and have proved themselves since then. Breezepelt saved my life when the stoats swarmed over me. If I can forgive Breezepelt for his part in the Great Battle, then you, Rowanclaw, have no excuse.” The golden tabby tom turned his head until his cool amber gaze rested on Breezepelt. “I, for one, think the past should be left in the past,” he finished.
As Onestar spoke the names, a murmur arose from the gathered cats, as they realized that these were the cats who had trained with the Dark Forest behind their Clanmates’ backs.
As soon as Onestar had finished speaking, Rowanclaw, the ShadowClan deputy, sprang to his paws from where he sat on the roots of the Great Oak. Crowfeather felt dread rise in his belly, knowing very well that Rowanclaw was about to disrupt the spirit of friendship that was growing among the Clans.
“So they should fight bravely!” he snapped. “They’ve got a lot to make up for before any cat trusts them again.”
Bramblestar rose, glaring down at Rowanclaw, but before he could speak, Lionblaze leaped up and faced the ShadowClan deputy.
“Shame on you, Rowanclaw!” he meowed. “Every cat knows that those cats were tricked. They thought they were becoming stronger warriors to protect their Clans. They’ve taken an oath of loyalty, and have proved themselves since then. Breezepelt saved my life when the stoats swarmed over me. If I can forgive Breezepelt for his part in the Great Battle, then you, Rowanclaw, have no excuse.” The golden tabby tom turned his head until his cool amber gaze rested on Breezepelt. “I, for one, think the past should be left in the past,” he finished.
Aftermath
After the events of CT, it's shown that some cats still hold Breezepelt's past actions against him.
After he becomes a father however, we do see moments of his softer side outside of CT, such as cheering when the cats manage to shove a rock into the thawed Moonpool, was part of the rebellion against the impostor, and wishes Daisy luck when she tries to take Smoky's kits to SkyClan.
“No ShadowClan cat could ever be trusted!” Breezepelt of WindClan yowled.
He’s hardly the cat to talk about trustworthiness! Alderheart thought. He was glad to see that many cats, including some of his own Clan, turned to glare at Breezepelt.
He’s hardly the cat to talk about trustworthiness! Alderheart thought. He was glad to see that many cats, including some of his own Clan, turned to glare at Breezepelt.
“What Squirrelflight does is up to her,” he meowed coldly.
Surprised murmurs rippled from the ring of warriors.
Breezepelt’s hackles lifted. “She’s disloyal!”
“That’s not true!” Squirrelflight glared at him.
“And it’s not the first time,” Breezepelt went on. “You raised your sister’s half-Clan kits and told your Clanmates and Bramblestar they were
your own! You’re a liar.”
“Liar!” Ripples of agreement spread among the warriors.
Squirrelflight flattened her ears. Did the Clans still care about that? It had been so long ago! And Leafpool’s kits had gone on to help save all the Clans.
Bramblestar eyed Breezepelt angrily. “We came here to talk to the Sisters, not rake up old bones.”
Breezepelt flashed him an accusing look. “We didn’t expect to find your deputy here, mixing with the enemy! Squirrelflight’s disloyal. She’s been
disloyal before. She can’t be trusted!”
Squirrelflight hissed at Breezepelt. “You don’t get to lecture me on loyalty! Who did you fight for in the battle with the Dark Forest?” Anger
pulsed in her belly.
Surprised murmurs rippled from the ring of warriors.
Breezepelt’s hackles lifted. “She’s disloyal!”
“That’s not true!” Squirrelflight glared at him.
“And it’s not the first time,” Breezepelt went on. “You raised your sister’s half-Clan kits and told your Clanmates and Bramblestar they were
your own! You’re a liar.”
“Liar!” Ripples of agreement spread among the warriors.
Squirrelflight flattened her ears. Did the Clans still care about that? It had been so long ago! And Leafpool’s kits had gone on to help save all the Clans.
Bramblestar eyed Breezepelt angrily. “We came here to talk to the Sisters, not rake up old bones.”
Breezepelt flashed him an accusing look. “We didn’t expect to find your deputy here, mixing with the enemy! Squirrelflight’s disloyal. She’s been
disloyal before. She can’t be trusted!”
Squirrelflight hissed at Breezepelt. “You don’t get to lecture me on loyalty! Who did you fight for in the battle with the Dark Forest?” Anger
pulsed in her belly.
After he becomes a father however, we do see moments of his softer side outside of CT, such as cheering when the cats manage to shove a rock into the thawed Moonpool, was part of the rebellion against the impostor, and wishes Daisy luck when she tries to take Smoky's kits to SkyClan.
Not every cat has forgiven Breezepelt and probably never will, but do you think his redemption was handled well or was it forced?