Crookedstar's Promise/Chapter 35

"This is your chance. Leave him to the rats. You can be the leader of RiverClan today, if you have the courage!"

— Mapleshade to Crookedjaw about Hailstar in Crookedstar's Promise, page 428

Crookedstar's Promise
Chapter number:	35 (of 40)
Page numbers:	418-431
Point of View:	Crookedjaw
Chronology

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

Chapter Number: 35 (of 40)

Page Numbers: 418-431

Chapter description

A heavy rainfall sets in two moons later, and Hailstar and Crookedjaw are concerned about the river flooding. Oakheart plants a reed near the muddy ground so they can monitor how quickly the water is rising. Brambleberry notes that Birdsong's cough won't go away unless she's has dry bedding, which is difficult to come by with all the rainfall. Birdsong and Tanglewhisker recall the nearby barn they used to hunt in when they were younger, noting the plentiful mice and dry grass there. Hailstar remembers the barn from when Birdsong used to take him as an apprentice, and the RiverClan leader gathers Crookedjaw, Petaldust, Sedgecreek, and Leopardfur to venture there.

The patrol heads for the barn, though they stop briefly at the fence to check for dog scent. Hailstar leads them into the wooden barn, and they split into two groups to gather dry bedding. The barn reminds Crookedjaw of his time with Fleck and Mitzi in their barn, and he quickly locates a mouse to catch. Sedgecreek begins to stalk a larger mouse, but Crookedjaw quickly realizes it's a rat and Fleck had warned Crookedjaw of how deadly a rat swarm could be. He yowls a warning to Sedgecreek, but she's quickly ambushed by four large rats. One bites her hind leg and Crookedjaw and Leopardfur race over to help her. However, more rats emerge from the shadows and attack the five RiverClan cats, and Crookedjaw orders Petaldust to fetch help. Two large rats attack Hailstar, and Mapleshade's voice urges him to let Hailstar die so he can become leader. The RiverClan deputy rebukes his former mentor's words, and he slashes at the rats clinging to Hailstar's pelt.

Crookedjaw commands them to turn tail-to-tail to combat the onslaught of rats, though he fears they may soon be overwhelmed. Fortunately, Petaldust arrives with Rippleclaw, Sunfish, Blackclaw, Timberfur, and Owlfur. The RiverClan warriors manage to successfully drive away the rats, though Sedgecreek and Hailstar are gravely wounded. Brambleberry rushes to treat Sedgecreek first, and Crookedjaw attempts to stop Hailstar's bleeding when Mapleshade knocks him away. By the time Crookedjaw returns to his leader's side, Hailstar is already gone. Crookedjaw sorrowfully meows that Hailstar is dead, and he closes his eyes, collapsing next to his leader.

Characters

Major

• Crookedjaw

Minor

• Willowbreeze
• Petaldust
• Leopardfur
• Sedgecreek
• Hailstar
• Oakheart
• Dawnkit
• Mallowkit
• Mudfur
• Brambleberry
• Birdsong
• Tanglewhisker
• Sunfish
• Softwing
• Mapleshade
• Rippleclaw
• Timberfur
• Blackclaw
• Owlfur

Mentioned

• Graypool
• Bluefur
• Troutclaw
• Shellheart
• Loudbelly
• Frogleap
• Skyheart
• Fleck
• Mitzi

Important events

Deaths

• Hailstar is killed by rats.

Trivia

• This chapter aligns with chapter three of Leopardstar's Honor.