warriors
Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.
"Every cat knows how much we owe to you. If we'd stayed in the forest, we would be dead by now. Instead, you brought us here. We're safe."
— Goldenflower comforting Brambleclaw in Starlight, page 164


Below contains in-depth information for chapter nine of Starlight. If you are looking for a shorter summary of the entire book, please check the main article.
Chapter Number: 9 (of 23)
Page Numbers: 144-165


Chapter description

Just before all the Clans get ready to part to their new territories, Brambleclaw thinks on how the Clans had become one for this journey. While watching all the cats say their respective goodbyes, he compares it to how a battle could be - except that there were no enemies. Firestar had asked for Brambleclaw to watch over his Clanmates and make sure no cat gets left behind as they travel to their new territory. While watching Mousefur say goodbye to Heavystep from RiverClan, he notes how frail Mousefur had become, assuming she should join the elder's. He reminds the frail cat they needed to get going, and she gives Heavystep a friendly lick before watching him leave to join his own Clan.
Almost running into Squirrelflight, she exasperatedly tells him that she had just been looking for him. Following her, they meet up with Tawnypelt and Crowfeather, where they've gathered to say they're respective goodbyes. Squirrelflight notes how their journey is at it's end, and Brambleclaw feels a pierce in his heart, knowing she's right. Reminiscing on their journey, he notes how close he feels with all of them, and wonders if his relationship with Squirrelflight will continue to be as strong as it is. He touches his nose with his friends, and they all share a moment of quiet before Crowfeather mentions that it should be six of them saying goodbye, not four. The painful memory of Feathertail sacrificing herself for the Tribe and Stormfur staying with the Tribe leaves the remaining cats mourning. Tawnypelt eventually gives herself a shake, and comments on how she should head back to her Clan. Crowfeather follows suite, wishing the two ThunderClan cats a safe travel. Brambleclaw notes that WindClan and ThunderClan will be traveling together, but Crowfeather reminds him they must stay with their own Clans. Brambleclaw is disgruntled by Crowfeather's cynical outlook, but Squirrelflight redirects him to meet back with their Clanmates.
On their way back, the two of them run into Mousefur's apprentice, Spiderpaw, who was saying his goodbyes to some RiverClan apprentices. Approaching the scattered groups of ThunderClan, Brambleclaw hears Dustpelt trying to count who's there, then confirms to Firestar that everyone's there. Firestar joins Blackstar and Leopardstar and Brambleclaw watches Onewhisker struggling to find a spot among the leaders, which pleased Mudclaw. The leaders discuss which borders would be set up for all four of the Clans, saying that they'd announce the final borders at the next Gathering. Barkface reminds the Clans to avoid fighting, as the medicine cats haven't started their stores of herbs yet. Though many cats find this amusing, Brambleclaw notes that fighting among the Clans seems wrong, after they shared such a long journey together.
Firestar calls the meeting to an end and meows a blessing to the rest of the Clans before directing Squirrelflight and Brambleclaw to lead the way to where their new camp would be. Heading to the front, Brambleclaw finds comfort in his position, hoping that Firestar would grant him deputyship for his leadership skills. Before they leave, Onewhisker asks if WindClan can walk together with ThunderClan as they are sharing the same direction, and Brambleclaw sees Crowfeather determined among his Clanmates. He also notices Mudclaw scowling at Onewhisker, but couldn't figure out if it was hostility towards Onewhisker, or his distaste for wanting to travel with ThunderClan.
He notices RiverClan and ShadowClan also sharing their directions, and just as he spots Hawkfrost, the warrior is already on his way to greet him. They share a blessing with each other, and Brambleclaw can see he has more to say before his Clanmates call him back. Brambleclaw and Hawkfrost say their goodbyes and go back to their respective Clans, leaving Brambleclaw feeling regretful that he couldn't get to know his half-brother better. Squirrelflight makes a complaint once Brambleclaw rejoins her, and he defends his brother, saying he was only trying to be friendly. Squirrelflight hisses in response, trying to urge Brambleclaw to see the ambition his brother holds, but he brushes her concerns off, making her even more furious. He follows her, but feels a pain in his gut. While walking, he reflects on his relationship with her, upset that their friendship became so easily ruined by the presence of Hawkfrost. He laments that he would choose Squirrelflight over his half-brother and that he missed her.
As WindClan and ThunderClan make their way along the lake, Brambleclaw can faintly see RiverClan and ShadowClan make their own journey from across the lake. Knowing that his siblings, Tawnypelt, Mothwing and Hawkfrost are among them, he silently wishes them well despite the wedge Hawkfrost put between him and Squirrelflight. Onewhisker stops, and announces that WindClan would be parting ways with ThunderClan, wishing them well and thanking them for helping find their camp. A hiss is heard through the group of WindClan cats, and Brambleclaw doesn't have to see who did it to know. As they break apart, Firestar gives a blessing to Onewhisker and tells him he can call on him for help, if need be and Brambleclaw feels uneasy hearing this. Onewhisker shouldn't have to rely on another Clan for support, and that he already had a debt to pay with ThunderClan. He, Brambleclaw and Firestar were the only ones there to hear Tallstar's last words, and Onewhisker had to rely on the two ThunderClan cats to keep it a secret.
As the WindClan cats depart, he sees Leafpaw looking forlorn watching them leave, and he wonders if StarClan had sent her a warning for WindClan. Before he can ask her, Firestar calls the cats together. With ThunderClan alone, the weight of the unknown territory begins to weigh on him, noting that he hadn't felt this before with the company of Mistyfoot and his journey-mates. The duty to protect his Clan from these dangers suddenly feels massive, and Firestar shares the same fears, reminding every cat to stay alert. He calls on Dustpelt, Brackenfur, Cloudtail, and Brightheart to keep guard along the lake, and for Sandstorm and Sorreltail to make sure no one falls behind. Approaching the stream that divides the moorland from the forest, he senses anxiety among his Clanmates, and even notices Ferncloud protectively curling her tail around her kit, Birchkit. Mousefur calls out, asking how Longtail will make it across the stream, and Brambleclaw suggests walking through the stream. Mousefur's complaints were silenced by Firestar's lead, and slowly the crowd carries themselves across.
After everyone's across, Firestar tells Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight to direct them to the camp. At first, the two struggle to find where they had originally found the camp, but they find their way. Squirrelflight announces they found the clearing, and Spiderpaw darts forward, ignoring Mousefur's calls for him to come back. Squirrelflight retrieves him and scolds him for being reckless. Alarmed, Ferncloud asks the two if there's danger in the camp, and Brambleclaw explains that it's a hollow that they need to navigate carefully. He gives a warning to Whitepaw who impulsively runs forward, and the two guide their Clanmates down to the clearing. Upon entering, Mousefur offers more complaints and Squirrelflight reminds her that StarClan doesn't make the dens for them. The apprentices bounce excitedly, asking if they can explore, in which Brackenfur tells them to wait until morning. Although Goldenflower and Longtail admire the place, Brambleclaw can't help but feel a pang of insecurity, noting that not all cats shared the excitement. Ferncloud and Sootfur were anxiously giving the camp a look over, while Mousefur retorts that the dens will be cold and wet.
More worries and complaints crowd the Clan, leaving Brambleclaw feeling annoyed with the expectations his Clanmates had. Firestar reiterates that there's little to do during the night and that they can decide when they see it in the daylight. After asking Thornclaw and Dustpelt to patrol the area, he suggests that all the other cats find a place to sleep. Rainwhisker pipes up asking about if they can get fresh-kill before sleeping and Squirrelflight shares Brambleclaw's disappointment. They both note that their Clanmates are complaining too much, and that it wasn't long ago they were going to sleep hungry every night in the old territories. Firestar assures the Clan they'll start hunting patrols tomorrow, and that everyone should try to get some sleep. As the cats split up, Mousefur and Ferncloud ask him about bedding and shelter, and he finally snaps, telling them he can't fix everything. Guilt immediately swarms him as he notices Firestar watching him, and he attempts to apologize to Mousefur, offering to help her later but Brackenfur comes to his aide, offering to help her instead and reminding Mousefur to be mindful of Brambleclaw's efforts. Still displeased, she reluctantly agrees and Brambleclaw feels pity for her, as exhaustion was probably weighing the old warrior down.
While helping Ferncloud find shelter for Birchkit, he goes back to think about the way Brackenfur knew how to handle Mousefur. He worries that Brackenfur's strengths would make him a better candidate for deputy, same with Dustpelt and Cloudtail. However, he knows another reason he might not be trusted with deputyship is due to his heritage. Tigerstar was his father, and as much as Firestar vouched for Tigerstar's kin, Brambleclaw knew deep down that Firestar may not be able to forget his rivalry with Tigerstar. After he finishes helping Ferncloud, most of his Clanmates have gone to sleep, and he tries to call for Squirrelflight. He however sees that she is curled up besides Ashfur and he thinks that if she expects an apology for speaking with Hawkfrost, she wouldn't be getting one. Finding his mother, Goldenflower comforts him as he curls up besides her, and reminds him that he did a great job leading ThunderClan to their new home. She lulls him to sleep, and he finally feels peace wash over him as he drifts off.

Characters

Major

Minor

Mentioned

End of spoiler warning

Notes and references

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Revealed in Starlight, page 144
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Revealed in Starlight, page 145
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Revealed in Starlight, page 147
  4. ↑ Revealed in Starlight, page 149
  5. ↑ Revealed in Starlight, page 150
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Revealed in Starlight, page 153
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 Revealed in Starlight, page 154
  8. ↑ Revealed in Starlight, page 155
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Revealed in Starlight, page 159
  10. ↑ Revealed in Starlight, page 160
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Revealed in Starlight, page 161
  12. ↑ Revealed in Starlight, page 164
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Revealed in Starlight, page 146
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Revealed in Starlight, page 163
  15. ↑ Revealed in Starlight, page 152