path of stars: part four

Clear Sky and his cats head to a meeting at Fourtrees. Clear Sky assumes the meeting is about the rogues that everyone took in. Clear Sky did not take in any if the rogues but he did take in a stray, Red, who had been chased by dogs. At the meeting some cats complain about the rogues struggle or refusal to adapt to group life. Others comment that some of the rogues are doing a great job adapting. Despite some tensions it is decided that they have to continue to trust the rogues and welcome them in the hopes that they will eventually fit in. When everyone finds out that Clear Sky took in a stray named Red, Thunder tells him who exactly Red is and how he led the dogs into Slash's camp. Clear Sky feels uneasy as he had previously trusted Red completely. He takes this moment to apologize to Thunder for not being a better father. At first it seems Thunder might open up to him but he changes his mind. Clear Sky is sad but respects that Thunder needs time.

Gray Wing dreams of racing off through the dark, chasing after his dead friends. He wakes up to Slate going into labor. Reed and Wind Runner kick him out of his den so they can help her. Fern is thrilled his kits are coming and keeps Gray Wing company. She does ask him if she has done anything wrong since she sees the way Wind Runner watches her. Gray Wing assures his friend that their leader just needs time. When Slate is done they have three kits and Gray Wingis both shocked and pleased to realize that while he loves them as deeply as he can imagine, he doesn't love them any more then the kits he has already raised. Gray Wing is resting with Slate and their kits when Jagged Peak and Tall Shadow visit him to see the kits. He and Jagged Peak talk about how Gray Wing already raised so many hits and about leaving the mountains. Jagged Peak admits to always feeling guilty that Gray Wing had to leave the mountains to follow him. Gray Wing assures him that while he didn't want to leave he couldn't imagine his life any other way. As they talk he suddenly struggles to breathe, which catches him off guard since he wasn't exerting himself. He assures Jagged Peak he is fine but his brother looks worried. Another camp mate arrives with news that Fern has been badly wounded. 

Everyone races to Fern, who tells them that another one of the rogues who joined them, Bee, attacked her. Everyone is upset and Wind Runner becomes even more convinced that she cannot trust any of the rogues. Moth Flight helps care for the injured Fern. Later on Wind Runner posts guards to watch the camp. Gray Wing is upset that she wouldn't let him guard and used his new kits as an excuse. As he lies next to Slate he struggles to breathe and fears what this could mean.

Clear Sky is watching his kits and his camp when Gorse Fur arrives with the news of Bee's betrayal. This causes Clear Sky to worry about Red and he hatches a plan to find out if Red is loyal or not. He has Nettle and Red hunt for the group, giving Nettle instructions to goad Red into behaving disloyal. However, no matter what Nettle says or does Red will not betray Clear Sky. When Red starts to attack Nettle for his behavior Clear Sky steps in and explains everything. Red accepts that Clear Sky needed to know the truth and Clear Sky accepts Red's loyalty. 

In Thunder's camp Violet is fitting in but Ember isn't. Thunder decides to check on things with River Ripple. Violet comes with him and they confess their feelings to each other. Thunder also tells Violet that if anything were to happen to him, Lightning Tail would be the next leader. River Ripple says his rogues are doing fine and suggests that maybe Ember should leave the group, an idea that Thunder has considered. Violet, however, is opposed and feels that Ember just needs more time. 

I am glad Gray Wing doesn't love his own kits more. I think that would have taken away from him and from his relationships with those he has raised. As much as Gray Wing focuses on raising Turtle Tail's kits and Thunder he never comments on raising Jagged Peak - but he kind of did. Jagged Peak was still a young kit when he left the mountains - not a baby anymore but certainly not grown. Probably the equivalent of an apprentice. He raised him and cared for him before Jagged Peak left ro live with Clear Sky, and when a lame Jagged Peak returned. All his life Gray Wing has raised other cats kits. It seems wrong that he won't get to live to raise his own... Because I am betting he dies before the book is done...

On another (less sad) note, I wonder if Thunder will formally name Lightning Tail as his deputy? At least he and Clear Sky starting to heal their rift. And it looks like Moth Flight is a future medicine cat. Things are wrapping up in the next couple of chapters so I guess we aren't seeing the Moonstone this series, despite Pebble Heart's dreams of it.