Copperstorm
and in the storm of life, there was you
and in the storm of life, there was you
ThunderClan
Ranger
Council Member
You walk along the edge of danger
AND IT WILL CHANGE YOU
AND IT WILL CHANGE YOU
.
His head still spun from the Gathering, peaceful on the surface, yet churning with old scars beneath. He could still feel the tension prickling along his spine as ShadowClan's words echoed back to him, accusing, venomous. Coalstrike had been alive... Alive long enough to brand Copperstorm and Dewshine as killers in his final breath. A legacy of blame left behind like claws in the throat. But not the truth. Never the truth. He had faced the stares of the forest unflinching, his chin lifted high. He would not bend beneath Coalstrike's shadow again.
Except... There had been one look that nearly broke him. Boarthorn.
His son's wide, stunned eyes had found his across the crowd, confusion turning quickly into hurt. Copperstorm had longed to go to him, to shield him from every whisper, every suspicious glance. But surrounded as they were, under moonlight and judgment, he couldn't... Not there. The truth wasn't meant to be shouted into hostile ears... It was meant to be shared where trust lived. So he waited. Waited until ThunderClan's camp embraced them once more, until the bramble walls held them close and the only ears nearby were those that mattered.
Copperstorm led Boarthorn and Dewshine to a quieter corner of camp, away from restless clanmates and curious murmurs, until the night felt still enough to hold their honesty. He drew in a steadying breath, though his heart pounded like paws racing across the moor. He stepped closer to his son, his golden eyes soft but determined. " Boar... Let us explain... " he began, his voice thick with regret. " I should have told you everything long ago. But I... " His words snagged for a moment, shame pricking at him like thorns. " I wanted to protect you. I didn't want Coalstrike's corruption anywhere near your life. I didn't want you to look over your shoulder and wonder whether he was there... "
He flicked a glance toward Dewshine, his mate, his anchor, before returning his gaze fully to Boarthorn. " Yes. Coalstrike was my father... " The name felt sharp on his tongue, but he didn't look away. " But I did not kill him. And neither did Dewshine. " Copperstorm's tail curled tighter around his paws, chest thudding.
Speech, thoughts/emphasis