Leaf-fall had arrived. Wolfpaw trotted out of his den. Willowflight was not to be seen. There was a commotion at the camp entrance. Wolfpaw headed over. Cats were milling at the entrance including Berrytail and Brambleheart. Berrytail spotted Wolfpaw and beckoned him over. 

          "What's the matter?" asked Wolfpaw. 

          "It's Beestripe, he's been wounded," explained Berrytail softly. Beestripe was a light brown cat with dark brown stripes, the Riverclan deputy. 

          "Oh no," Wolfpaw frowned. Blackfur was pushing past everyone, yelling orders. The crowd parted and Beestripe was pushed forward. He was limping and half of his head was covered in blood. Forespaw walked behind him nervously, clearly distressed. Forestpaw's mentor was whispering to him softly. Lotusstar bounded up to Beestripe. 

          "What happened?" he exclaimed. 

         "Lightningcloud will explain," Blackfur said briskly. He motioned for a few cats to helped him carry him to the medicine den. 

          "Come on, this is not for us to hear," said Berrytail, walking away. Cats left in respect but Wolfpaw remained in earshot. Forestpaw, Lightningcloud, Crowfang and Badgerfang were facing Lotusstar, explaining. 

          "It was all my fault," wailed Forestpaw. Lightningcloud held Forestpaw up. 

          "It was not," he scolded, his eyes soft. 

          "What happened?" asked Lotusstar.

          "We were going to patrol Thunderclan border. It was all going well. Then Forestpaw got too excited," explained Badgerfang. Forestpaw made an inaudible noise while Lightningcloud kept murmuring reassuring words in his ear. 

          "Forestpaw slipped into the water. And we were at the edge of Thunderclan so that's were the river goes big and where there are rocks," continued Crowfang. "The current immediately swept Forestpaw away. Without thinking Beestripe jumped in. The current was so strong and he managed to bring Forestpaw to the edge were me and Lightningcloud grabbed him. But he didn't have time to climb up himself. He hit a rock and went under. We ran along the river for some time until he bobbed up again. Half of his face was bashed and he was screaming that his left paw was limp. He finally managed to push himself to the edge where we all grabbed him up and brought him back here." Wolfpaw stared at Forestpaw. He hung his head in shame and guilt. 

          "At least they both survived," sighed Lotusstar. "I am going to check on Beestripe." He turned to Wolfpaw. "Since you heard everything, go explain to Brambleheart what happened." Wolfpaw nodded, embarrassed. He ran to the warrior's den and slipped in. A few warriors mumbled and muttered at his sudden entrance and Berrytail raised her eyebrows but he went over to Brambleheart. 

          "I need to tell you something," said Wolfpaw. Brambleheart narrowed his eyes but followed Wolfpaw out of the warrior's den. Wolfpaw recounted what he had heard Badgerfang and Crowfang say. Brambleheart was shaking his head sadly. 

           "Oh Beestripe, he was always the one who would do anything to save another cat in his clan. Even if it meant he died," sighed Brambleheart. He walked over to the medicine den. Wolfpaw scampered to the apprentice den to recount what had happened to Hawkpaw. Hawkpaw listened in horror and the two siblings went out to the Thunderpath to talk more about it. It was their new secret and favourite meeting place. They could talk for hours there. After a while, they decided to go back to camp to see if there were any developments. They crossed the log hurriedly and hurtled to the camp. The snuck inside, cats were gathered around the High Rock and Lotusstar was already there. Brambleheart was sitting at the bottom with Blackfur and Beestripe. Beestripe's left side of his face was completely destroyed, Wolfpaw felt himself grow nauseous when he looked. Beestripe looked depressed and discouraged and Blackfur looked tired while Brambleheart was apprehensive. Wolfpaw and Hawkpaw crept to the back of the crowd. 

           "By now, you all know of the unfortunate accident. As much as Forestpaw thinks he is responsible for it, he is not and even Beestripe agrees. Forestpaw, you must stop blaming yourself," declared Lotusstar. Forestpaw was sitting next to Owltooth and his siblings, he looked down at his feet and licked his chest fur in shame. "Beestripe survived and is well but Blackfur says the injuries will never heal... Beestripe is now blind in one eye and reports that his other eye is unfocused. He also has a limp on his right foot. He will be retiring to the elders den knowing he did a great job as deputy. He fought bravely, lead well and most of all, he made so many sacrifices to keep this Clan going." All cats cheered. 

            "Now, the warrior code says I must appoint a new deputy before moonhigh, and I shall, now," announced Lotusstar. Everyone looked at each other and whispering broke out. "I say these words before , so that the spirits of our warrior ancestors and Beestripe may hear and approve of my choice. The new deputy of Riverclan is.. Brambleheart." Cats were shocked and for a moment Wolfpaw could not believe his ears. He wiggled them. 

          "Who's the new deputy?" asked Wolfpaw to his brother. Hawkpaw's jaw dropped. 

          "Brambleheart?" he gaped. "But he's he's our father..." Cats started to mill around Brambleheart to congratulate him and to Beestripe to tell him how grateful they are for his service. Finally, everything died down and Brambleheart trotted to Wolfpaw and Hawkpaw. 

          "Brambleheart!" exclaimed Hawkpaw. "You're the deputy... But you're our father." Brambleheart licked him on the cheek. 

          "I know, and I still am. This changes nothing," he cooed. "I still love you." Wolfpaw frowned. This was so weird. He was used to Beestripe being the deputy. He couldn't just become an elder in one day because of one accident. 

           "I'm going to talk to Beestripe," he mumbled. Brambleheart continued to talk to Hawkpaw. Wolfpaw sprinted to the medicine den where Lotusstar and Beestripe were talking with Blackfur. Wolfpaw broke into their conversation. 

          "You can't become an elder!" cried Wolfpaw. "Elders are grumpy and they sleep all day."

         "Wolfpaw?" Lotusstar questioned confused. Blackfur was angry he had interrupted and Beestripe looked bemused. 

         "I can't fight anymore," Beestripe said. "Not with this horrible vision and my paw. That is my only choice. Besides, Brambleheart is your father, aren't you going to support him?"

          "I know but... but I like you. You should be the deputy. Things can't just change because of one accident," Wolfpaw burst out, looking baffled. Lotusstar softened. 

          "I know it is a big change and I do not take it lightly. One of my warriors was injured badly but we need to adapt as well as we can. Tonight there is a Gathering. Do you want to come? It'll be your first. Hawkpaw can come too if he likes," suggested Lotusstar. Wolfpaw brightened. 

          "We'd love to!" he squealed. "Thanks Lotusstar." He scampered off without even looking at Beestripe. He rushed to the apprentice den where Hawkpaw was talking to Forestpaw. 

         "Lotusstar said we could go to the Gathering tonight," he announced. Hawkpaw leapt to his feet in excitement. 

          "That's awesome!" cried Hawkpaw. 

          "I'm supposed to be a warrior soon," sighed Forestpaw. "And I go ahead and put the deputy in the elder's den."

          "Don't worry Forestpaw," assured Wolfpaw. "I just talked to Lotusstar and Beestripe, they're not even mad."

          "I ruined Beestripe's life," Forestpaw winced. "I think he might be just a tinge mad." Wolfpaw shrugged, he had bigger things on his mind. Like the Gathering.