Crookedstar's Promise/Chapter 23

"The path you choose is in your paws. Only you can know your own heart, and that will decide whether you choose the right path or the wrong path."

— Brambleberry to Crookedjaw in Crookedstar's Promise, page 288

Crookedstar's Promise
Chapter number:	23 (of 40)
Page numbers:	284-298
Point of View:	Crookedjaw
Chronology

Below contains in-depth information for chapter twenty-three of Crookedstar's Promise. If you are looking for a shorter summary of the entire book, please check the main article.

Chapter Number: 23 (of 40)

Page Numbers: 284-298

Chapter description

A half-moon later, Crookedjaw wakes up hearing Frogkit and Skykit sneaking just beyond the sedge barrier. He drags the two kits out while Brambleberry sleepily emerges from her den. The two kits nervously explain they wanted to see where Brightsky's kits were buried to see if StarClan truly lets kits die. Brambleberry softly explains how the kits are safe with their mother now. However, the two kits insist that the older warriors believe their deaths were an omen, but the medicine cat dismisses their claims as an unfortunate event. Crookedjaw points out that StarClan wouldn't be vengeful if they allowed Leopardkit to survive, referring to Mudfur and Brightsky's only surviving daughter. Brambleberry suggests for Skykit and Frogkit to fetch wet moss to Shimmerpelt, who is busy nursing Leopardkit. As the two kits scamper off, Crookedjaw challenges if the deaths were an omen, referring to the anonymous warning Brambleberry received of him. The RiverClan medicine cat insists it's all in Crookedjaw's paws, though he quickly grows frustrated with her vague words.

Hailstar calls for a Clan meeting to announce that they will reclaim more territory beyond Sunningrocks. While several warriors such as Whitefang, Timberfur, and Piketooth are eager to claim more land from ThunderClan, others such as Owlfur, Fallowtail, and Cedarpelt are hesitant about the risk. Hailstar leads a battle patrol with Timberfur, Rippleclaw, Shellheart, Piketooth, and Whitefang. Ottersplash volunteers as well, insisting her mate Timberfur also risks his life for RiverClan's future. As the patrol leaves, Loudkit wonders if StarClan will take his mother just as they did with Brightsky.

In the meantime, Crookedjaw leads a border patrol near the Twoleg bridge with Voleclaw, Willowbreeze, Graypool, Petaldust, and Oakheart. Near the meadow, they spot several Twolegs in their thin-pelted dens and the patrol moves quietly around them in hopes of not being spotted. However, Crookedjaw notices Mapleshade near the dens but only he can see her. He attempts to ignore her as the patrol continues moving, but Mapleshade pushes the Twoleg's yellow ball towards him. A Twoleg kit runs towards the ball, straight for the hiding cats, but it falls and wails for its parents. Another Twoleg arrives and scoops up its kit, but it quickly notices the hiding RiverClan cats. It grabs Willowbreeze and carries her towards its den. Crookedjaw's resolved to save her, but the patrol promptly returns to camp first. However, the battle patrol has arrived heavily injured with news of their failure.

Characters

Major

• Crookedjaw

Minor

• Frogkit
• Skykit
• Brambleberry
• Beetlenose
• Hailstar
• Rippleclaw
• Piketooth
• Shellheart
• Oakheart
• Cedarpelt
• Owlfur
• Troutclaw
• Willowbreeze
• Ottersplash
• Birdsong
• Fallowtail
• Timberfur
• Whitefang
• Shimmerpelt
• Loudkit
• Voleclaw
• Petaldust
• Graypool
• Mapleshade

Mentioned

• Brightsky
• Brightsky's kits
• Mudfur
• Rainflower
• Echomist
• Leopardkit
• Lakeshine
• Reedkit (Unnamed)
• Sedgekit (Unnamed)

Important events

• RiverClan attempts to claim more territory from ThunderClan, but they are driven off and defeated.

Trivia

• This chapter aligns with of chapter 22 of Bluestar's Prophecy.