Patchpelt nodded to Flamestar, having counted the votes. It seemed that the tom's revelation of his rank had saved him more than bringing back Patchpelt had.
"You're always welcome back in our clan, Patchpelt," Flamestar told him, looking gratefully at the tom. The loner shook his head, sighing.
"I can't really trust this clan anymore . . . you didn't have faith in me, and now I find it hard to have faith in you. Don't get me wrong, I know that you're good cats, but I just can't return. I hope you find your murderer," he replied. Then he padded off into the forest, disappearing for good this time. Flamestar turned back to Brambleshade, Antpaw, and Dovecloud, realizing how small the clan was now. Could they even call themselves a clan? Only four cats left . . .

The murderer crept up behind the tree, tail twitching. They were so close now . . . only two more nights, and they would win. With a grin on their face, they started climbing the tree, thankful for the large slant in the trunk. Their approach could be silent now. Completely unknown to Brambleshade, they slunk up the tree, before shoving him off the branch he was lounging on. They heard the loud crack of his body hitting the ground, before turning around and padding away.

The medicine apprentice saw Brambleshade lying at the base of the tree, groaning. They gasped, running over to the tom.
"Brambleshade, listen to me. You'll be fine. I'll save you," they whispered. They quickly collected some herbs from around the area, as well as some cobwebs and a stick. They forced him to eat a few leaves, then placed the stick in his mouth. The medicine apprentice noticed his panicked look, as they started wrapping cobwebs around his leg. "Broken leg, it punctured an artery. The leaves will get your blood to clot faster. Just don't move," they ordered. When they finally finished, they stepped away reluctantly. "I'm sorry, I have to go. You can't tell anyone who I am". Then they sprinted back towards camp, leaving the injured tom in the trees.

"Here! I found him!" Dovecloud cried, rushing over to Brambleshade's side. "He's alive!" Flamestar and Antpaw rushed over to the injured cat, looks of relief on their faces.
"I got him. Dovecloud, can you go make a nest for him? Use the softest material you can find. Antpaw, just direct me through the trees. I'll have to drag him," Flamestar ordered. Dovecloud headed back to camp, as Flamestar grabbed Brambleshade's scruff. He began to drag the brown tom back, Antpaw guiding him through the trees. When they arrived at camp, Dovecloud was waiting patiently by the medicine cat den. Flamestar dragged Brambleshade inside, then placed him in the newly made nest. Then he joined the other two cats outside, expression cold.
"We all know what this means. Brambleshade cannot be the murderer. I am the leader, so I am innocent. It must be one of you two. Obviously, one of you is the medicine cat apprentice. The other is the murderer," he mewed. Dovecloud and Antpaw looked at each other, eyes narrowed.
"So, who are you accusing? It's up to you now," Dovecloud told him. Flamestar glanced at his son, who was looking at him pleadingly. He nodded, then turned back to Dovecloud.
"I'm accusing you, Dovecloud. There's no way Antpaw could push a full grown cat out of a tree. Besides, he just learned how to climb. I didn't even consider you until now. But I have no other options," he replied. Dovecloud's eyes widened, and she shook her head.
"No! I'm innocent! I would never do this! You have to believe me!" she cried. Suddenly, Brambleshade's hoarse voice was heard from the medicine cat den.
"Let's vote. Now".

Murdered: Brambleshade
Healed: Brambleshade
Accused: Dovecloud
Returned: No one
Revived: No one