A Light in the Mist (book)/Chapter 8

"You all know that I have never entirely embraced Clan life. I've found your ways strange, and I haven't always respected your belief in StarClan. It seemed strange to me at times-these dead cats that you allow to control the lives of the living. I have felt that your beliefs sometimes get in the way of what seems logical and practical. But when I have questioned you, you've steadfastly defended your belief in StarClan. You believe it's what separates the Clans from rogues or kittypets. And I must admit...the longer I live among you, the more of StarClan I see, the more I understand. What I'm asking you now is, if you don't have StarClan, what are you? They have been the center of everything the Clans have ever believed. Now, more than ever, you need to stand by your ways and beliefs, no matter how difficult it might seem. You must fight for your way of life. If you don't, then can you truly call yourself warriors. [..] You've saved Tigerstar's kit. Won't you accept the same risks to save mine? Rootspring never intended to go into the Dark Forest, but he's there, and he helped rescue Bramblestar, and now he's trying to save all the Clans. Are you really going to abandon him while he fights to keep your way of life alive?"

— Tree to the surrounding cats. in A Light in the Mist, page 117-119

A Light in the Mist (book)
Chapter number:	8 (of 24)
Page numbers:	113-130
Point of View:	Shadowsight
Chronology

Below contains in-depth information for chapter eight of A Light in the Mist (book). If you are looking for a shorter summary of the entire book, please check the main article.

Chapter Number: 8 (of 24)

Page Numbers: 113-130

Chapter description

Shadowsight questions the leaders, hoping they will send a patrol of cats to the Dark Forest as darkness falls upon them. Harestar and Mistystar shift their paws uneasily as Tigerstar looks at Bramblestar and Leafstar, wondering what they will say. When no cat answers, Shadowsight practically prods them, hoping that he had convinced them to save Bristlefrost, Rootspring, and StarClan. The ShadowClan medicine cat reinforces that he had promised Rootspring and Bristlefrost that they would receive help, but Tigerstar just stares at his son, not speaking. Leafstar looks up, stating aloud that they have to do something because losing StarClan is too devastating of a price to pay. Mothwing retorts that it is probably too late to save Bristlefrost and Rootspring, and that as Ashfur is done with and Bramblestar is back, the Clans shouldn't risk more cats. Jayfeather and Bramblestar answer back, reminding Mothwing of the deaths that took place.

The ThunderClan leader states that he is not willing to risk Bristlefrost or Rootspring, and that his time spent in the Dark Forest showed him that that place is cruel, and Ashfur is making it worse every second. Shadowsight adds that the spirit cats need to escape the Dark Forest as well, but Mistystar questions what will happen to her living warriors. Bramblestar asks if Mistystar is implying that Bristlefrost and Rootspring are dead, with Squirrelflight adding that the Clans are no better than rogues if they do not stand by their Clanmates. Shadowsight continues, reminding the others that StarClan would fade away as well, and that the Clans would lose their ties to their warrior ancestors. Harestar questions how many cats would they need to lose to reconnect with them, while Mothwing wonders if StarClan would want anymore cats to die for them.

In awe, Puddleshine questions the seriousness of his fellow medicine cat's statements, stating that letting go of StarClan to him is a last resort, and that they would be jeopardizing what it is to be a warrior if they go through with that plan. Mothwing reminds him that his emotions are overtaking them, while Mistystar adds that the living hunt their own prey. Leafstar questions if Mistystar thinks that the life of a warrior is only hunting prey, while Squirrelflight states that warriors do much more than that. Glancing at his father, Shadowsight realizes that Tigerstar may be starting to side with Mistystar and Harestar, making him understand that the Clans had to send help. The ShadowClan medicine cat remembers Leafpool's desperate cries, recalling his promise that he had made to her. Stepping up, Shadowsight reminds all present cats that Ashfur wanted the Clans to suffer and be separated from their ancestors, and if they proceed to do nothing, they will have let the dark warrior win. Puddleshine and Alderheart agree with their fellow medicine cat, while Jayfeather adds that without StarClan, medicine cats would just gather herbs and mix poultices. Mothwing counters that medicine cats do not need to be more, but Shadowsight retorts that Clan cats should be loyal, and that Bristlefrost and Rootspring are expecting help that very moment. Mistystar retaliated, aggressively reminding the medicine cat that he does not have to order his Clanmates to death.

Tree comes forward, acknowledging the fact that every cat there knows that he has not always embraced Clan life. The yellow tom talks about the way that the Clans' avid belief in StarClan had felt strange to him, but when he had questioned them, they defended their belief. Tree concedes that the Clans believe that faith in StarClan and the warrior code is what separates them from rogues, kittypets, and loners, so he asks them what they will become if they don't have StarClan to look towards for advice. The mediator ends by stating that now, they have to believe the most in their ancestors, because without StarClan, the Clans cannot truly call themselves warriors. Harestar and Mistystar react assertively, but Tree calmly responds that his kit is stuck in the Dark Forest, defending the Clans' way of life, asking them if they are going to abandon Rootspring after knowing that. Dovewing and Ivypool pad towards Tree, with the latter stating that Bristlefrost chose to go to the Dark Forest because she would not let her friend die. The senior warrior continues, stating that she had trained there during the Great Battle, and she will gladly go to save her daughter from that wretched place. Dovewing reminds Tigerstar that Shadowsight is back in the living world purely because of luck, asking her mate if he will let the others abandon another cat's kit in the Dark Forest.

Shadowsight adds that Ashfur's control of the spirit cats can be broken depending on the amount of good cats the Clans send. Bramblestar decisively states that if they lose StarClan, their way of life is gone, adding that the Clans must save their dead and living Clanmates. Harestar quickly states that WindClan will stand by StarClan, while Mistystar grunts in agreement. Mothwing, surprised, asks Tigerstar if he will join them as well. The ShadowClan leader affirms this as Leafstar, sighing, agrees as well. Mothwing questions how the Clans can transport a whole patrol of cats into the Dark Forest, so Flurry and the rest of the Sisters step forward, volunteering to provide help.

The Sister reminds the Clan cats that they had sent Bristlefrost and Shadowsight to the Place of No Stars. Dipping his head, Bramblestar adds that a small patrol is the way to go, as a big patrol will have a harder time being unnoticed by Ashfur's army. Leafstar agrees, while Squirrelflight asks them who they should send. Tigerstar replies, stating that the cat must volunteer. Ivypool volunteers, but the ThunderClan leader quickly shuts that idea down, noting aloud that Bristlefrost is already in the Dark Forest. Squirrelflight states that she will go, but Bramblestar replies that none of the situation is Squirrelflight's fault. The dark ginger she-cat states that after all the pain that Ashfur has caused her, she should be the one to finish this.

Graystripe pads towards Squirrelflight, reminding her that sending her would play straight into Ashfur's plan, considering that the dark warrior wants the ThunderClan deputy to come to the Dark Forest. The wise ThunderClan elder cites that the Clans need to show that they are better warriors than Ashfur will ever be, and that Squirrelflight would be too much of a loss to ThunderClan. The dark ginger she-cat asks who else would go, but the powerful gray tom smiles as he reminds her that the Tribe gave him a message that he still had a duty to fulfill for the Clans, and that this must be it. Shadowsight acknowledges how brave the elder must be to put his life on the line for his Clan, understanding how fortunate ThunderClan is to have him.

Squirrelflight gives Graystripe a message from her to Ashfur, asing for him to deliver it. Bramblestar asks the ThunderClan elder to make another promise; he must give his word to get out of there if trouble seems unavoidable. The gray tom shakes his head, telling the surrounding cats that Ashfur has done whatever he wants for way too long, and he must be stopped. Tigerstar adds that a volunteer from every Clan must come, and Leafstar states that they should head home for the night and come back with their volunteers the next day. Flurry interrupts, reminding them that it takes a huge amount of concentration to transport five cats into another realm, and that their should be no accompanying cats. Tigerstar argues for a moment, but the big she-cat nudges him that the Clans need the Sisters' help. Flurry adds that the patrol will enter the Dark Forest before dawn.

Outside the medicine den, Shadowsight wonders if Bristlefrost and Rootspring are doing well in the Dark Forest while watching Tigerstar tell the surrouding ShadowClan cats that he cannot condemn someone to the Dark Forest, and that a volunteer is required. He adds that if no cat comes forward, he will be the fulfilling volunteeer, causing yowls of opposition. Cloverfoot, Snowbird, and Cinnamontail all volunteer, causing Shadowsight to admire his Clanmates. Tigerstar thanks them, but Shadowsight's heart stops as Lightleap volunteers herself. She cites that as deputy, Cloverfoot cannot be risked, and Snowbird can't either because although she is a great warrior, she is almost an elder. The dark brown tabby she-cat acknowledges that Cinnamontail is a great warrior, but Lightleap counters that Cinnamontail hasn't been practicing battle moves since kithood, looking at her mentor for praise. Nodding, Stonewing adds that she was one of his greatest apprentices, causing Lightleap to prompt Tigerstar for a response.

Shadowsight turns to Dovewing, noting that Tigerstar can't say no as to not show priority for his kit, and the white she-cat agrees, desperately wondering why Lightleap volunteered. Whorlpelt and Flowerstem yowl praise for Lightleap, while the entire Clan starts chanting. Shaking his head in despair, the ShadowClan medicine cat knows that it is beyond his control now, knowing that the Clan had spoken.

Characters

Major

• Shadowsight

Minor

• Harestar
• Mistystar
• Tigerstar
• Bramblestar
• Leafstar
• Graystripe
• Mothwing
• Jayfeather
• Squirrelflight
• Puddleshine
• Alderheart
• Tree
• Dovewing
• Ivypool
• Flurry
• Snow
• Sunrise
• Graystripe
• Stonewing
• Snaketooth
• Scorchfur
• Cloverfoot
• Snowbird
• Cinnamontail
• Lightleap
• Stonewing
• Pouncestep
• Whorlpelt
• Flowerstem
• Berryheart
• Gullswoop
• Slatefur

Mentioned

• Rootspring
• Bristlefrost
• Leafpool
• Ashfur
• Willowshine (Indirect mention only)
• Antfur

Errors

• Mothwing is called a RiverClan medicine cat despite not having joined RiverClan yet.