fire and ice: part one

A new book, a new adventure.

Well, maybe not new adventure since it is all tied in to the last book. New book, continuing adventure - I guess.

Fireheart and Graystripe are now warriors. Tigerclaw keeps them busy. Fireheart thinks it is so he cannot talk to Bluestar alone. Graystripe, however, doubts Ravenpaw's story. He points out that if Tigerclaw killed Redtail, then who killed Oakheart? If the answer is Redtail then that dishonors him. When they went up against ShadowClan in the last book Firepaw tried to kill Clawface to avenge Spottedleaf - but Whitestorm stopped him, reminding him that ThunderClan cats only kill when they have to. If Redtail killed Oakheart then there is no excuse. Tigerclaw killing Oakheart in the heat of the battle in an attempt to save a fellow warrior is one thing, and excusable. Fireheart is let with his thoughts - and his determination to tell Bluestar the truth. 

Fireheart gets his chance to talk to Bluestar when they go to the Gathering. He and Bluestar hold back so he can talk to her in private. She forgives him for lying about Ravenpaw, but not because of Tigerclaw. In her eyes it is better for the clan to think Ravenpaw died a hero then ran away a coward. She too doubts Ravenpaw's version of events. She cannot believe that Redtail killed Oakheart or that Tigerclaw killed Redtail. Fireheart is left even more confused then before.

They go to the Gathering but things do not go as planned. ShadowClan refuses to give up hunting rights in RiverClan territory until Bluestar reminds them that Brokenstar should have never made such a demand. An uneasy peace is finally made between RiverClan and ShadowClan until Bluestar talks of bringing back WindClan. RiverClan and ShadowClan want to divide the WindClan territory between them but Bluestar is firm. They finally relent but secret looks pass between them - looks that are not lost on Fireheart, Tigerclaw, or Bluestar. 

Back at the camp Bluestar sends Fireheart and Graystripe on a mission to find WindClan. They start off on their mission and find RiverClan hunting on WindClan territory but manage to avoid them. They follow WindClan's path all the way to the Thunderpath where they lose it.

Two things of note. One is that Fireheart had two dreams. The first was right after he was named warrior. He dreamed of the Thunderpath, fire, and cats in danger. The second dream was right before he found out Bluestar was sending them on a mission. That one was of the Thunderpath and cats in danger. Both of these dreams are most likely from StarClan about the missing WindClan.

The other is that Longtail receives a new apprentice. The young kit so so scared that Fireheart believes that Longtail will hate him. But to Fireheart's shock, he does not. He comforts the young cat and tells him it is okay. Fireheart is hurt by this since Longtail has never been nice to him. Fireheart knows this is because he is not clan born and this hurts him.