the apprentice's quest: part five

Alderpaw wants to find the others, but Needlepaw convinces him they need to sleep. The next day they backtrack to find their friends scent, then follow it. They realized their friends must have passed them while they slept and that the river probably washed their scent away. They realize they need to cross the river so they can go home but cannot find a way to do so. With Needlepaw's urging they enter an area filled with twoleg nests and ask a kittypet for help. He tells them how to cross a river and asks if they have anything to do with the three cats who came that way earlier. Alderpaw is thrilled to realize his clanmates are on the same path as them. Alderpaw asks the kittypet if another large group of cats has come through, but they have not. The kittypet shares his food with Needlepaw, who eats it much to Alderpaw's horror, and then they move on. Needlepaw asks Alderpaw why he isn't happier and he tells her it is because he failed.

Needlepaw tells Alderpaw that he is being ridiculous, as clearly SkyClan was driven away long before his vision - so therefore his vision must mean something else. They travel for many day and the scent of the  ThunderClan cats grows weaker when they come across the farm they passed on the way to the gorge. Needlepaw races ahead and slips into the barn for shelter for the night. That night Alderpaw dreams of Sandstorm, who tells him he hasn't failed yet, he just needs to take a different path.

Alderpaw and Needlepaw reach the thunderpath they had to cross and wait for an opening. Alderpaw tells Needlepaw of his vision. Needlepaw finds a tunnel going under the thunderpath and decides that is the "different path" they have to take. Alderpaw disagrees but Needlepaw is insistent. In the tunnel Alderpaw finds two kits whose mother is missing. Realizing the kits will die they care for them and name them Violetkit and Twigkit. They wonder if this is what Alderpaw's vision was about.

The cats reach the lake. They are happy to be home but that happiness quickly turns into a fight over the kits. Alderpaw feels it was his vision so he should take them both. Needlepaw feels it was her idea to go into the tunnel so they should go to ShadowClan. After arguing Needlepaw suggests they each take one. Before they can resolve this a ThunderClan patrol arrives. They were sent by Brambleclaw to find the missing apprentices. Birchfall takes over and says the kits will go to ThunderClan while their fate is decided at the next Gathering. 

The kits thrive in ThunderClan while Bramblestar debates what to do. He has a meeting with Squirrelflight, Leafpool, Jayfeather, and Alderpaw to determine the kits fate and how they fit in to the prophecy, but nothing is resolved beyond Bramblestar's wish to keep the kits. At the Gathering, however, things do not go as hoped. Rowanstar accuses ThunderClan of stealing the kits when Needlepaw helped find them. Bramblestar points out that Needlepaw shouldn't even have been there, much to Rowanstar's embarrassment. But it pointed out that the prophecy applies to all of the clans, not just ThunderClan. It is decided ShadowClan gets one of the kits. Rowanstar takes Violetkit, and the kits scream as they are separated. Alderpaw locks eyes with Needlepaw, but she coldly turns away. Alderpaw comforts Twigkit, determined to take care of her. 

I have to say, I like Needlepaw, but I am worried. She is traveling down a dark path. She is very selfish and self-centered. I understand her wanting ShadowClan to be involved with the kits, and I understand her feeling ShadowClan has a claim on them. However, her clan doesn't seem like a very friendly place right now. There is blatant disrespect for every cat going around. How can Violetkit be cared for in a hostile environment where the warrior code is getting tossed out? And how can Needlepaw not see this? I think she has feelings for Rain and has a mindset of "every cat for himself" but there is no foresight in that - because it means creating an environment where anyone who becomes injured is tossed out. I'm thinking of Jagged Peak and Clear Sky right now. She is bringing a kit into an environment where no one will want to care for her because right now everyone only cares for themselves. She is so obsessed with having one of the kits she does not care if it kills the kit.

Speaking of which, how on earth did Rowanstar let his clan fall apart like this? It cannot just be the apprentices who are disrespectful. They must be learning this behavior from some of the warriors, otherwise they would be put in their place and given extra chores until they learned proper behavior. Hopefully the next book gives more insight and it is not as bad as it appears. But if the apprentices are acting like rogues, and the elders are complaining about the lack of respect, and everyone seems to be out for himself... Well, I'm not optimistic. 

the apprentice's quest: part four

After many more days of travel, Alderpaw is excited to finally see the camp he has dreamed about. Everyone is torn over what to do but Needlepaw believes they should just approach the camp - so they do. A hostile group of cats come to meet them. Alderpaw explains they are looking for SkyClan. The cat in charge, Rain, takes them to their leader who is named Darktail. Alderpaw explains he is there to bring SkyClan to the lake to join with the other clans. Darktail tells Alderpaw that he needs time to think over this and invites the cats to stay with them. Alderpaw doesn't understand why things are so different from his vision. The cats look nothing like the ones he saw and they don't have correct warrior names. Things grow even more confusing when a hunting patrol returns. The cats attack each other over the food, leaving just scraps for the elders and queens. Outraged, Sparkpaw confronts Darktail but he seems amused by her outburst He explains that SkyClan has founded their own warrior code, one that honors the strongest. The clan cats decide to discuss amongst themselves what to do. Some wish to leave but Needlepaw points out that they are looking for something in the darkness and these cats are very dark in their manner. Meanwhile Alderpaw feels Bramblestar and his vision could not have been so wrong and he asks his friends for more time. Even though everyone wants to go they agree.

There is a sick she cat who keeps coughing and Darktail yells at her. Alderpaw decides to intervene and points out that she just needs some herbs. Darktail has no clue what he is talking about and Alderpaw is shocked to realize they do not have a medicine cat. He offers to treat the sick cat. While looking for herbs he finds the abandoned medicine cat's den and some old herbs which he gives to the sick cat. While he treats her Darktail grills him on how to treat different sicknesses and wounds. Alderpaw wonders if maybe his vision is not about saving SkyClan, but returning them to the warrior code. Darktail has Alderpaw teach Rain all about herbs That night he wonders why he hasn't had any visions from StarClan and wonders if it is because they cannot reach him in this dark place. While trying to sleep Alderpaw overhears Darktail talking to his most trusted cats about leaving soon, and Alderpaw hopes this means they will come to the lake with them. Then he overhears Needlepaw talking to Rain and isn't sure he likes the way Rain sounds.

Unwilling to fight other cats for their food, the ThunderClan cats go out to hunt. Alderpaw is hunting a bird when another, mangy, cat tries to catch it first. It is Mistfeather, one of the cats from his vision. Mistfeather tells Alderpaw all about how Darktail and his rogues showed up, driving them out of their territory. Some cats died and the rest scattered. He has no clue where SkyClan is, and he stayed behind because his mate died in the fight. Suddenly everything makes sense to Alderpaw and realizes he and his friends are too late to save SkyClan. Darktail reveals himself, having overheard everything. He kills Mistfeather.

Darktail takes Alderpaw prisoner and brings him back to the camp. He takes all of the clan cats prisoner, accusing them of conspiring with SkyClan. Needlepaw tries to argue that that doesn't make any sense, since they arrived looking for SkyClan unsure if they even existed but Darktail will not listen. While under guard of Raven, one of Darktail's most trusted cats, they try to decide what to do. Some of the cats are upset with Needlepaw for trying to reason with Darktail instead of escaping, but Needlepaw defends her action insisting that if they escaped Darktail would have followed them back to the clans.

Raven falls asleep, and the cats make their escape. Sparkpaw argues that maybe they should stay but Alderpaw overrules her, pointing out that their lives are in danger and they need help from back home. He says the quest is a failure. Even though it is the wrong way, they cross the river so the rogues will lose their scent. They use a tree branch to cross. Everyone but Alderpaw and Needlepaw make it safely across. The branch breaks under those two apprentices, sweeping them down the river and over a waterfall. The two make their way out of the water, completely lost.

So, I did already know that Darktail is an evil cat, unfortunately. But, I didn't realize he was never a part of SkyClan. I thought maybe he was welcomed and took over or something. I am glad Alderpaw found Mistdeather, but now he is no closer to finding the SkyClan cats and everyone is returning home in defeat. 

Darktail is obviously going to follow them, since he destroys ShadowClan. But I do wonder just how scattered SkyClan is since the exiled ShadowClan cats find them.

And what, exactly, was the point of this? SkyClan was clearly driven away a while ago. Why is everyone just now having visions about this?

the apprentice's quest: part three

The cats travel more then stop to hunt as night approaches. Molewhisker tries to help Alderpaw hunt but it is a disaster again. After they eat Sandstorm tries to help them cross the thunderpath, but things are thrown out the monsters at them. terrified, the cats run away and hide, making a quick den for the night and sleeping. The next day they cross the thunderpath and Alderpaw no longer feels as if someone is watching them. They make good progress and start to make a camp for the night when Alderpaw and Sandstorm both hear something. Sandstorm goes to investigate when Sparkpaw sees a fox.

The fox attacks Sandstorm, so Alderpaw attacks the fox. He wonders why his clanmates are not helping him when he sees them fighting a second fox. Suddenly another cat comes to Alderpaw's rescue and they fight off the fox together. Everyone checks for injuries and the strange cat is revealed to be Needlepaw. The older ThunderClan cats are upset to find a ShadowClan apprentice off on her own, following them, but Needlepaw is unperturbed and defiant. She wishes to go along so the cats go off to the side so Alderpaw can check their wounds and they can discuss Needlepaw's involvement. In the end it is decided that Needlepaw can come along since she did help them and she could just ignore them and follow them anyway. Needlepaw is pleased to be included, and a bit arrogant about it. Alderpaw feels there is an air of loneliness about her.

The next day Alderpaw tends to everyone's wounds again. Then the cats go hunting. Needlepaw returns with a bunch of prey but Sparkpaw is outraged, as Needlepaw ate prey before bringing some back for the others. Exhausted, everyone goes right back to sleep. While sleeping, Alderpaw has another vision about SkyClan. They are calling out, begging someone to save them. Alderpaw tries to talk to them, to tell them they are coming, but the other cats don't hear him. He wakes up disturbed. He talks to his clanmates, telling them they need to leave immediately but they don't see any reason to rush. He finds Sandstorm and tells her he had another vision. Sandstorm understands his urgency and agrees they need to leave. He checks her wound and realizes it is beginning to show signs of an infection. He wants them to stay so she can rest but she refuses. As they leave to tell everyone to get ready Alderpaw realizes Nedlepaw was eavesdropping.  

They travel and Needlepaw tries to get information out of Alderpaw about the quest without any real success. They come to a fence around a farm and cannot find a way around it or under it. The decision is made to climb it. Everyone does well but Sandstorm, who falls and hurts herself on the way down. They make their way through the farm and Alderpaw can see Sandstorm is unwell. He wants to stop for the night but she insists they leave the farm first. They go over the fence again and Sandstorm does worse than before. Alderpaw insists they stop for the night so he can help Sandstorm, who is bleeding badly. They nest for the night and when they wake up Alderpaw can see that Sandstorm is even sicker. Everyone goes to look for herbs for him and Needlepaw brings Sandstorm some water. Sandstorm passes back out again.

Alderpaw dreams of Sandstorm, who is with StarClan now. Alderpaw feels he has failed Sandstorm, but she assures him this is the way it was meant to be and tells Alderpaw how to reach SkyClan. When Alderpaw wakes he hopes it was just a dream but he finds Sandstorm's lifeless body. Alderpaw's grief wakes the other cats and everyone mourns Sandstorm's passing, while wondering if they should continue the quest or turn back. After the vigil Molewhisker, Cherryfall, and Sparkpaw bury Sandstorm while Alderpaw wonders what to do and how to convince his clanmates to go on. Needlepaw confronts him and tells him he must tell the others the truth of the quest so they will follow him. At first he is upset with her advice but then he hears the wisdom of it. They go hunting together and he helps Needlepaw catch a rabbit. While he didn't catch the rabbit himself he is proud that he helped. They bring the prey back and after everyone has eaten he tells them the truth of his quest and SkyClan. Needlepaw is right and the cats unite behind him.

So Sandstorm did die... I thought she would at least make it to the SkyClan camp first and see her old friends. Hopefully Alderpaw is able to bring everyone there in time to help them. 

As for Needlepaw... she is a bit complex. She clearly is indifferent and even disrespectful at times to the warrior code and her clan, yet at the same time she does come through with wisdom and her own version of loyalty.

the apprentice's quest: part two

 Alderpaw is doing much better with his training, and Jayfeather even praises him. Jayfeather leaves to go speak with Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight, and Leafpool is out seeing Littlecloud, so Alderpaw is left behind with Briarlight. Sparkpaw bursts in looking for Jayfeather. Cherryfall has fallen and her leg is cut. Alderpaw freezes, not knowing what to do. Briarlight directs Sparkpaw to Brambleclaw's den. Jayfeather gathers Alderpaw and they head to Cherryfall. Alderpaw keeps freezing while Jayfeather tries to treat the injured cat. They get Cherryfall back to the medicine cat den and treat her. Jayfeather dismisses Alderpaw for the day. Upset, he sits with is sister, who tells him he just needs more confidence in himself.

Since they are almost out of catmint, Leafpool and Alderpaw go out to get some. They run into a ShadowClan patrol led by Tigerheart. Tigerheart is rude to them but escorts them to where they are going. Alderpaw talks with one of the ShadowClan apprentices, needlepaw, from the Gathering and starts to confide an odd dream he had when Leafpool cuts him off. Later, they go to the Moonpool where Leafpool officially introduces him to StarClan. Alderpaw dreams of Firestar, who shows him a vision of a group of cats. Alderpaw doesn't know the cats, but they are clearly doing a warrior ceremony. When he wakes up he is excited to have had a vision and wants to confide in the other medicine cats. But when no one else speaks up, stating they have had a vision he doubts himself and decides to keep his dream to himself for now.

Alderpaw is left in the medicine cat den while Jayfeather and Leafpool tend to other matters. Cherryfall comes in, her paw hurting again. Alderpaw checks it for infection then gives her more poultice for her paw. He feels proud of himself for knowing what to do, but when Jayfeather finds out he is angry. He reminds Alderpaw that he is just an apprentice and shouldn't do things like that without himself or Leafpool there. Then he sends Alderpaw to go check the elders for ticks. Only Sandstorm is there and she can see something is wrong. She convinces Alderpaw to open up to her. He tells her about the dream he had and Sandstorm becomes excited, as she recognizes the cats as being SkyClan cats. She tells Alderpaw to go tell Leafpool and Jayfeather about his vision. Alderpaw is worried they will be upset but instead they are pleased. Alderpaw is thrilled to have had his first vision - until Jayfeather tells him it is not his first, as Jayfeather saw him there when Firestar gave the vision to all of the medicine cats. Leafpool and Jayfeather go to tell Bramblestar about the vision.

While Jayfeather and Leafpool are with Bramblestar, Cherryfall goes to the medicine den as Sparkpaw is hurt. Worried and without thinking, Alderpaw leaves the camp with Cherryfall to see his sister. He realizes her leg is dislocated and instructs the other cats on how to help him. They are dubious but help and Alderpaw is able to fix his sister's leg, impressing everyone. Elated, Alderpaw races back to camp until he realizes he left without the permission of his mentors. When he gets there he sees Bramblestar looking for him and assumes he is in trouble. But the opposite is true. Bramblestar wants Alderpaw to go on a quest to find the cats from his vision. He tells Alderpaw all about SkyClan, but also warns him that he cannot tell anyone else the truth about their clan.

Bramblestar and Sandstorm argue about Alderpaw's quest. Sandstorm wants to go, Bramblestar forbids it as she is now an elder. In the end Sandstorm wins the argument, much to Squirrelflight's dismay. Bramblestar announces to the clan that Alderpaw is going on a quest and Sandstorm will be accompanying him. He looks for volunteers amongst the cats. Sparkpaw wishes to go so Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight discuss it among themselves. Bramblestar agrees, and assigns Cherryfall and Molewhisker to accompany them. The cats take their traveling herbs and leave. They pass WindClan territory unnoticed and actually leave the lake area. They make a good distance and stop to eat. While eating Alderpaw feels he is being watched, but he does not see or scent anything.

I wonder who is watching them? Because I do believe Alderpaw is correct. He doubts himself too much. I also worry Sandstorm will die on the journey. After all, she is an elder now.

the apprentice's quest: part one

Jayfeather and Leafpool go to the halfmoon meeting at the Moonpool. On the way there Jayfeather wonders why Littlecloud hasn't taken on an apprentice, since the ShadowClan medicine cat is getting on in his years and currently ShadowClan has an abundance of apprentices. Everyone settles down around the pool and sleeps. When they wake Jayfeather is shocked that he can see the other cats, as he has lost the ability to enter other cats dreams with the defeat of the Dark Forest. The other medicine cats are equally as surprised. They move off to greet their ancestors and Jayfeather watches Leafpool greet her father, Firestar. Jayfeather, however, notices there are a lot of strange cats with StarClan and demands to know who they are. Instead of answering him Firestar seeks permission from the other StarClan cats to speak for them all and is granted it. He gives the medicine cats a shared prophecy, as it affects them all. Jayfeather is annoyed with how obscure the prophecy is, but before he wakes he notices another, living, cat is with them and this cat smells of ThunderClan. 

Alderkit is getting ready for his apprentice ceremony with his sister Sparkkit. He is worried he is going to mess everything up and envies Sparkkit's confidence. However the ceremony goes just fine and he is given the mentor Molewhisker while Sparkpaw is given the mentor Cherryfall. Molewhisker is so serious Alderpaw worries about being his apprentice, but he resolves to do his best. Their first task is to get ticks off of the elders, which neither he nor his sister wants to do, but they do it. As they care for the elders Alderpaw decides that maybe this isn't so bad, caring for the elders. Then he sees Jayfeather and Leafpool watching him and he worries he is messing up as an apprentice already.

The next day Cherryfall and Molewhisker take the apprentices on a tour of their territory. Alderpaw does great with listening to his mentor's questions and figuring out the answers while Sparkpaw bounces around excitedly. Then the mentors have the apprentices try to hunt. Sparkpaw gets prey on her very first try but Alderpaw overthinks everything so much he fails. Back at the camp Bramblestar asks for an update and realizes how upset his son is. He pulls Alderpaw aside and tells him a funny story about how he used to make mistakes as an apprentice. Alderpaw feels better and resolves to do better in the future.

Alderpaw and Sparkpaw go to their first Gathering. They end up meeting some ShadowClan apprentices and sit with them. The ShadowClan apprentices are nice and welcoming, but they are also very rude. They make disparaging remarks about the other clans, their mentors, their leader Rowanstar, the elders, and even StarClan. Alderpaw is shocked by their behavior. When Rowanstar speaks he mentions that two apprentices have just been made warriors - and now have apprentices of their own. Everyone cheers for the first announcement but are completely shocked by the second one. Rowanstar defends his decision and states that when a ShadowClan cat is named a warrior they are ready for anything. The ShadowClan apprentices tell Alderpaw and Sparkpaw that right now ShadowClan has so many apprentices Rowanstar doesn't know what to do with them all. The medicine cats then share their shared vision together. Lots of cats start asking questions and offering suggestions. Cloudtail asks if the prophecy is for everyone, or just Jayfeather. Jayfeather answers he believes it is for everyone. As the apprentices talk about solving the prophecy Alderpaw notices Leafpool staring at him. 

Molewhisker grows frustrated with Alderpaw as he cannot figure out hunting or fighting. Back at camp Molewhisker and Bramblestar meet with Leafpool and Jayfeather. Then, the four cats tell Alderpaw that his destiny is to be a medicine cat. Alderpaw sees this as a punishment for failing Molewhisker but everyone assures him that isn't the case. Sparkpaw is excited for him but Alderpaw worries he will fail at this just like he failed at being a warrior. The next day Jayfeather teaches Alderpaw all the herbs he has to memorize but Alderpaw can't keep them straight, further cementing his fears he will fail.

First of all I am thrilled that Jayfeather is still the grumpy, crotchety cat that I love! Second of all, the prophecy to "embrace the shadows to clear the sky" hints to me that the clans have to learn the truth about SkyClan and embrace it in order to save SkyClan. And, it was probably SkyClan cats that Jayfeather sensed.

Of course, unfortunately, I already know SkyClan will come back thanks to the Tawnypelt and Shadowstar novellas. Also, what is with ShadowClan always getting destroyed? I assume Darktail and his nefarious plot will be along any minute now. But why is is always ShadowClan? Why not WindClan or RiverClan?

And on the topic of ShadowClan what was up with those apprentices? Disrespecting everyone and everything both in their clan and not? And even going to far as to imply StarClan is a myth? That was crazy. I was hoping Alderpaw would say something to Molewhisker but no luck. All I know is this doesn't bode well.

Then, at first I was surprised that Cloudtail believed the medicine cats and actually asked questions. After all, he has said in the past that he doesn't believe in StarClan. Then I remembered he did fight alongside StarClan against the Dark Forest. I suppose that irrevocable proof is enough for anyone, even someone who has rejected StarClan his entire life.

Lastly, how is Purdy still alive?!? He was old before Sandstorm and Graystripe became elders!?! He is probably immortal or something. I certainly hope he gets to go to StarClan when he passes. I know he isn't a warrior, but ThunderClan loves him as their own since they adopted him. On that token I hope the same for MothWing. She deserves to find peace and acceptance in her afterlife - and a chance to be reborn accepting the beliefs she wishes were real.