Rising Storm/Cliffnotes

These notes are brief, noting major events and minor events in Rising Storm that will be of consequence later. They are intended to be used as a reference for those looking for specific events for re-reading and the book discussions.


 * There is an unknown sickness in the ShadowClan camp.
 * Nightstar, the leader, is very sick.
 * Runningnose, the medicine cat receives an omen from StarClan in the form of a shining star
 * He interprets it as a sign suggesting a glorious future for the Clan, and they will rule the forest.
 * An owl flies over the camp, and the cats identify it as an ill omen.
 * Runningnose understands that they will pay the highest possible price for the Clan's new dawn.


 * It is a dry greenleaf, and Fireheart is hunting in the forest.
 * He meets his apprentice Cloudpaw, who catches a pigeon.
 * They argue, because of Cloudpaw disrespect for prey and for his fellow apprentices.
 * Fireheart is worried about Tigerclaw, suspecting that the exiled cat is planning revenge.
 * Fireheart heads back to the camp and sets the patrols.
 * Some cats challenge him, and question his decisions about the patrols.
 * He is still not comfortable with his new responsibilities as deputy, and Whitestorm encourages him.
 * Fireheart overhears the elders worrying over the broken Clan ritual of the deputy naming ceremony.
 * The elders agree that Fireheart's deputyship will be a dark time for ThunderClan.
 * Fireheart sees Bramblekit, and he freezes, as the kit's eyes reminds him of Tigerclaw.


 * Goldenflower notices Fireheart's reaction when he saw Bramblekit.
 * She knows about Fireheart's misgivings, but points out that Bramblekit has nothing to do with Tigerclaw's treachery.
 * She says she will die to protect her kits if she needs to.
 * Fireheart is worried, as Cloudpaw still did not return.
 * Fireheart tells Bluestar that Brindleface's kits are ready to be apprenticed.
 * The first signs of Bluestar's mental illness start to show.
 * Bluestar lets Fireheart to choose mentors for the kits.
 * Fireheart visits the medicine cat's den for advice.
 * Cinderpelt and Fireheart talk about Fireheart's worries and suspicions.
 * Cinderpelt considers herself a bad apprentice, and Fireheart comforts her.
 * The medicine cats help Fireheart decide on the mentors; Dustpelt and Darkstripe.


 * Fireheart tells Bluestar his decision about the mentors.
 * A patrol returns, and they report scenting Cloudpaw near Twolegplace.
 * At sunset, Bluestar calls a Clan Meeting to hold the apprentice naming ceremony.
 * Fernkit is mentored by Darkstripe and Ashkit is mentored by Dustpelt.
 * Cloudpaw returns, claiming that he was hunting, but brings only a single vole.
 * He did not even bring the pigeon he caught in the morning.
 * Fireheart worries about Cloudpaw's disobedience.
 * Fireheart appoints the dawn patrols.


 * Fireheart dreams of Spottedleaf.
 * Spottedleaf walks away from him, and Fireheart follows her, but the ThunderClan cats stop him.
 * He wakes up concerned as to what the dream could mean, and starts sorting out the dawn patrol.
 * Bluestar calls Fireheart to her den.
 * She asks him to escort her to the Moonstone, to share dreams with StarClan.
 * She chooses no other warriors to escord her, and plans to leave right away.
 * Yellowfang gives Bluestar traveling herbs.
 * Whitestorm is in charge of the camp while the leader and the deputy are away.
 * Runningwind takes Cloudpaw to hunt.


 * Bluestar and Fireheart head for the RiverClan border, then follow it towards Fourtrees.
 * Fireheart suspects that Bluestar wants to see her kits, but they see only Leopardfur in the distance.
 * Bluestar remembers the days with Firepaw as her apprentice, and praises him.
 * Fireheart is the only cat in the Clan Bluestar trusts.
 * They reach Fourtrees, then travel through WindClan terrritory.
 * They meet a WindClan patrol consisting of Mudclaw, Tornear, and an apprentice.
 * The patrol is hostile due to ThunderClan's sheltering of Brokentail, and refuse to let them pass.


 * Bluestar wants to fight, but Fireheart convinces her to return home for their own safety.
 * Mudclaw's patrol escorts them back to Fourtrees.
 * Bluestar states that StarClan is angry with ThunderClan.
 * They return to the camp.
 * The Clan cats are angry on hearing that WindClan did not allow them visit the Moonstone.
 * Cloudpaw returns, and heads for the apprentices' den without taking any prey for himself.
 * Fireheart suspects he already ate at the hunting patrol, and scolds him for breaking the warrior code.
 * He tells Cloudpaw he will miss the next Gathering as a punishment.
 * Fireheart wonders if Cloudpaw will ever become a true warrior.


 * Fireheart suggests to Bluestar that they should not keep so many warriors in the camp, as the other Clans do not seem hostile.
 * Fireheart sorts out the patrols for next day.
 * Bluestar names the cats who will go to the Gathering that evening.
 * Darkstripe, Longtail and Dustpelt are not chosen, and they are angry.
 * Whitestorm is left in charge of the camp.
 * The cats set out for Fourtrees.
 * Sandstorm discusses with Fireheart about Bluestar not being her old self.
 * They arrive, and cats from different Clans talk with each other.
 * Fireheart notices that the ShadowClan cats are sick.
 * The Gathering begins.
 * Bluestar announces Brokentail's death and that Fireheart is the new deputy.
 * The other Clans demand to know how did Brokentail die and what happened with Tigerclaw, but Bluestar does not answer.


 * Whitestorm, Sandstorm and Dustpelt capture two ShadowClan warriors by The Owl Tree and bring them to the camp.
 * The captured warriors, Littlecloud and Whitethroat, beg for food and healing herbs.
 * They say that there is a sickness in ShadowClan, and they are in chaos.
 * Cinderpelt wants to help but Yellowfang won't let her.
 * Yellowfang identifies the disease as one carried by rats
 * Littlecloud explains that they ate rats from Carrionplace.
 * Bluestar orders the ShadowClan cats to be sent away, to prevent them spreading the disease in the ThunderClan camp.
 * Fireheart and Sandstorm escort them to the border.
 * They follow them to a Twoleg tunnel reaching under the Thunderpath.


 * Fireheart and Sandstorm explore the tunnel, realizing that it can be used to cross under the Thunderpath.
 * They return to camp and report to Bluestar about the tunnel, and about the ShadowClan cats returning to their territory.
 * Sandstorm leaves to hunt, and Fireheart takes Cloudpaw to train.
 * He notices that Cloudpaw is much fatter than the other apprentices.
 * Fireheart and Cloudpaw head for the training hollow for battle training.
 * Cloudpaw is not interested in the training, and does it only half-heartedly.
 * Cloudpaw offers to hunt alone, and Fireheart agrees.
 * Fireheart follows Cloudpaw unnoticed, to watch him hunt.
 * Cloudpaw heads for Twolegplace and enters the garden of a Twoleg Nest to take Twoleg food.


 * Cloudpaw enters the Twoleg Nest, and Fireheart is disappointed in his apprentice.
 * Fireheart heads home, and meets Princess.
 * They talk about Cloudpaw, but Fireheart does not tell her about his disobedience.
 * Back at camp, Fireheart confides in Sandstorm about Cloudpaw.
 * Sandstorm tells that Cloudpaw has to decide if he will be a warrior, or chooses to return to his kittypet life.
 * She suggests that Fireheart should speak with him.
 * Fireheart challenges Cloudpaw about his actions, but Cloudpaw does not listen, and does not realize that he did anything wrong.
 * Willowpelt gives birth to her kits, two toms and a she-kit.
 * Sandstorm and Fireheart visit the nursery.
 * Next day, Fireheart appoints Dustpelt to lead the sunhigh patrol.
 * Dustpelt is getting along well with Fernpaw.
 * Fireheart goes towards RiverClan territory, hoping that he will see Graystripe.
 * He notices that the plants near Sunningrocks have withered, and remembers that it haven't rained for two moons.
 * He picks up ShadowClan scent, and discovers Whitethroat and Littlecloud sheltered under the roots of an old oak, on ThunderClan territory.


 * Fireheart wants to chase out the ShadowClan cats, but Cinderpelt shows up and stops him.
 * Cinderpelt reveals that she has secretly been treating the sick cats.
 * She says that the cats started to recover, despite Yellowfang's opinion that the sickness is deadly.
 * Fireheart lets the two cats stay until they are well enough to travel, and even offers to hunt for them.
 * When Fireheart returns to the camp, he finds out that Cloudpaw is missing.
 * Fireheart and Sandstorm head for Twolegplace to find the apprentice.
 * They arrive in time to see him being taken away by Twolegs, seemingly against his will.
 * The Twolegs put him in a large monster and drive away.


 * Fireheart runs after the monster, but it soon disappears from view.
 * Sandstorm comforts Fireheart and tells that Cloudpaw might be happier where he is going.
 * Fireheart tells that Cloudpaw is his only kin, and there is no one else in the Clan that's close to him.
 * Sandstorm assumes that her friendship means nothing to Fireheart and gets angry and upset, and leaves.
 * Fireheart returns to the camp, hunting on the way home.
 * He wants to tell Bluestar about Cloudpaw, but in the end decides not to disturb her with the bad news.
 * He apologizes to Sandstorm and makes up with her.
 * Ashpaw asks about Cloudpaw.
 * He tells that the Clan is worried and wondering why Cloudpaw did not return.


 * Fireheart tells Ashpaw that Cloudpaw has left the Clan and returned to his kittypet life.
 * The news of Cloudpaw's disappearance start spreading through the camp.
 * Darkstripe makes sure that all cats know what happened with Cloudpaw.
 * Bluestar summons Fireheart to her den where he tells her and Whitestorm the whole story.
 * Bluestar tells that this was likely StarClan's will, and Cloudpaw will find happiness where he goes.
 * Fireheart has another dream of Spottedleaf, who warns him to beware an enemy who seems to sleep.
 * Fireheart believes that the warning is about the sick ShadowClan cats, who stay on ThunderClan territory.
 * He makes Cinderpelt send the ShadowClan cats away, and Cinderpelt agrees.
 * Cinderpelt sees that Fireheart still cares a lot about Spottedleaf, and advises him to let go of the past.
 * She tells him that Sandstorm is very fond of him.


 * There is a drought in ThunderClan.
 * The streams dry up and the only source of freshwater is the river near Sunningrocks.
 * It is mentioned that there is a lot of Twoleg activity in the forest.
 * Several elders go to the river to drink, and to fetch water using soaked moss for the queens.
 * Fireheart asks Cinderpelt if she sent away the ShadowClan cats, and she says she did.
 * Whitestorm speaks with Fireheart and shares his concerns about Bluestar's condition.
 * The elders return, and Speckletail says they have been chased by young Twolegs in the forest.
 * Fireheart decides to go himself to fetch water from the river.
 * He checks the old oak, and sees that the ShadowClan cats have indeed left.
 * He meets Graystripe at the RiverClan border, who is on a hunting patrol, and they share news.


 * Fireheart returns to camp, bringing water for the queens in a ball of moss.
 * Brindleface plans to lead another water patrol once the sun has set.
 * Fireheart visits the medicine den and tells Cinderpelt that the ShadowClan cats have now gone.
 * Mousefur and Thornpaw burst into the camp, and tell they were attacked near the Thunderpath.
 * Fireheart leads a patrol to check what happened.
 * They discover Runningwind's body, with Whitethroat bending over him.
 * Thinking he killed Runningwind, Fireheart attacks Whitethroat and chases him onto the Thunderpath.
 * Whitethroat is killed when a Twoleg monster hits him.
 * Fireheart spots Tigerclaw at the edge of the Thunderpath.


 * Fireheart attacks and fights Tigerclaw.
 * Tigerclaw promises to kill him and all ThunderClan's warriors.
 * The exiled ShadowClan rogues, who now follow Tigerclaw, show up.
 * Mousefur and Whitestorm join the fight, but they are badly outnumbered.
 * Graystripe appears with a RiverClan patrol, and they chase the rogues away.
 * Tigerclaw manages to escape.
 * Stonefur tells that they heard the noise of battle, and Graystripe persuaded the patrol to help.
 * The RiverClan patrol returns to their territory.
 * Whitestorm and Mousefur take Runningwind's body to the ThunderClan camp.


 * Fireheart returns to the Thunderpath.
 * He wonders if the sickness in the ShadowClan camp is so bad that the cats willingly left the Clan and joined Tigerclaw.
 * He concludes that the ThunderClan patrol was attacked and Runningwind was killed by Tigerclaw, not by ShadowClan.
 * He drags Whitethroat's body to the ShadowClan side of the border.
 * ThunderClan sit vigil for Runningwind.
 * Fireheart tells the Clan that Tigerclaw and his rogues want revenge on ThunderClan.
 * Bluestar is shaken and blames herself for the problems.
 * Fireheart makes sure the camp is guarded day and night.
 * Fireheart visits the medicine den, and talks with Cindepelt and Yellowfang about Tigerclaw.
 * Yellowfang states that Tigerclaw has the strength and ambition to become whatever he wants, even Clan leader.


 * Yellowfang tends to Fireheart's wounds, and offers him advice.
 * Fireheart decides that there will be three extra patrols a day, each with three warriors.
 * He reports to Bluestar about the patrols, but she ignores him.
 * Fireheart goes hunting with Sandstorm and Brightpaw.
 * They catch a rabbit.
 * They rest, and Fireheart discusses his worries with Sandstorm.
 * They come across an intruder and ambush him.
 * Fireheart recognizes the cat as Ravenpaw.


 * They greet each other, and Fireheart tells about the Clan.
 * Ravenpaw tells Fireheart he has seen a kittypet with ThunderClan scent living nearby.
 * Fireheart concludes that the cat is Cloudpaw.
 * Ravenpaw tells that Cloudpaw looked miserable and did not seem to enjoy living with Twolegs.
 * Fireheart decides to go and rescue Cloudpaw.
 * Sandstorm is on the opinion that Cloudpaw is fine where he is, and they argue.
 * Eventually, she agrees to follow Fireheart and help him to rescue his nephew.
 * Fireheart, Sandstorm and Ravenpaw head for WindClan territory, while Brightpaw returns to the camp.
 * On their way, Fireheart tells Ravenpaw about Tigerclaw.
 * Ravenpaw says he does not miss Clan life at all, and is happy to be out of it.
 * They scent dogs.


 * Fireheart and Sandstorm are chased by two dogs.
 * They escape by climbing up a tree.
 * Sandstorm wonders if this was a tap set up by Ravenpaw.
 * Ravenpaw leads away the dogs, then outruns them.
 * A Twoleg shows up and collects the dogs.
 * They find the Twoleg Nest where Cloudpaw is, and decide to take a closer look.
 * Fireheart looks through a window and sees that Cloudpaw is locked inside with a dog.
 * Cloudpaw appears to be thin and unhappy.
 * He sees Fireheart and is delighted.
 * The Twoleg sees Fireheart in the window and comes out, trapping the three cats.


 * Cloudpaw appears and distracts the Twoleg; he, Fireheart, Sandstorm, and Ravenpaw escape.
 * Fireheart asks Cloudpaw if he wants to return to ThunderClan and live as a Clan cat.
 * Cloudpaw promises to stay a Clan cat, and to never go near Twolegs again.
 * Ravenpaw leaves, and the three other cats head back to ThunderClan.
 * While in WindClan territory, they run into the WindClan dawn patrol, consisting of Deadfoot, Mudclaw, and Webpaw.
 * They fight, and chase the three WindClan cats away.
 * Cloudpaw puts up a good fight, and Sandstorm praises him.
 * They arrive to the ThunderClan camp, and tell about their adventures.
 * Darkstripe, Whitestorm, and Fireheart argue over whether Cloudpaw should be allowed to stay.
 * Whitestorm reminds them it is up to Bluestar.


 * Fireheart speaks to Bluestar about Cloudpaw.
 * Bluestar is confused and has difficulty to remember things.
 * She allows Cloudpaw to stay in the Clan.
 * She also says that Ravenpaw is always welcome on ThunderClan territory.
 * Bluestar asks Darkstripe to tell the Clan that Cloudpaw is welcome to stay.
 * Fireheart speaks with Cloudpaw, who is eager to resume his training.
 * Fireheart goes to sleep and dreams of a silent forest, frightened Twoleg kits, and Spottedleaf.
 * He awakens and smells smoke.
 * The forest is on fire.


 * Fireheart wakes up the sleeping cats, announcing that the forest is on fire.
 * He tells the cats to leave the camp, keep close to each other, and head for the river.
 * Fireheart helps rescuing the kits from the nursery.
 * As they leave the camp, they notice that Halftail, Patchpelt, and Bramblekit are missing.
 * Fireheart and Yellowfang return to rescue them, while the others head for the river.
 * Yellowfang struggles with Halftail while Fireheart drags Patchpelt to safety.
 * Fireheart sees Bramblekit in a tree and rescues him.
 * A burning tree falls and blocks the way into camp, trapping Yellowfang and Halftail.


 * Fireheart brings Bramblekit and Patchpelt to Sunningrocks where ThunderClan are, even though he told them to go to the river.
 * Patchpelt dies from breathing too much smoke.
 * Fireheart tells Cinderpelt he left Yellowfang and Halftail in the camp. He also realizes that they must cross the river.
 * It begins to rain as ThunderClan prepares to cross the river.


 * Sandstorm crosses the river first.
 * Fireheart tells Dustpelt and Cloudpaw to leave Patchpelt's body on the ThunderClan side of the river.
 * Fireheart attempts to bring Smallear across, struggles, and both are saved by Leopardfur
 * Leopardfur recovers Patchpelt's body, which Cloudpaw, Dustpelt, and Smallear bury on RiverClan territory.
 * Crookedstar agrees to let ThunderClan stay in RiverClan's camp until the fire's out.


 * Fireheart hears Smallear, Darkstripe, Cinderpelt, Dustpelt, Fernpaw, and Speckletail talking about the broken ritual again.
 * Dustpelt, concerned for Fernpaw, rebukes Darkstripe.
 * Graystripe takes Fireheart to meet his kits, who're being raised by Mosspelt
 * He asks about Yellowfang as it starts to rain again.


 * Graystripe and Fireheart go to see what's left of the ThunderClan camp.
 * They find Halftail's body, which Graystripe goes to bury.
 * Fireheart finds Yellowfang still alive.
 * Yellowfang admits to killing her son, Brokentail, and tells Fireheart she wishes he had been her son. Shortly after, she dies from inhaling too much smoke.


 * Graystripe and Fireheart return to the RiverClan camp and tell Bluestar and Cinderpelt that Yellowfang's dead, and Bluestar decides that ThunderClan is ready to go back to their own camp.
 * As soon as they get to camp, Bluestar demands to see Yellowfang's body. She declares war on StarClan.
 * Fireheart and Cinderpelt sit vigil for Yellowfang despite Bluestar's refusal to honor them with the proper words.
 * Fireheart addresses the Clan, saying that they need to rebuild the camp.
 * He fears that Bluestar might never recover.


 * ThunderClan are busy rebuilding their camp.
 * Cloudpaw has been working hard; Fireheart tells him to rest. Cloudpaw sits with Brightpaw.
 * Fireheart speaks with Bluestar about the Gathering; she insists he choose who will go and refuses to go herself.
 * Fireheart and Whitestorm decide to go any in order to warn the Clan about Tigerclaw.
 * Sandstorm apologizes to Firestar about what she said about him and Bluestar earlier.
 * Fireheart chooses Darkstripe, Mousefur, Sandstorm, Whitestorm, Ashpaw, and Cloudpaw to go to the Gathering and chooses Longtail to guard the camp while they're away.


 * The Gathering is about to begin.
 * ShadowClan are late. Fireheart tells Runningnose of Yellowfang's death.
 * Fireheart finds out the leader of ShadowClan is Tigerclaw.